Parents email

Up to this point we have mainly been concerned with the content that you find on the World Wide Web. We know a little bit about searching for information and how you can make this searching a little safer for your children. The other major use of the Internet which was there from its outset in the 1990's is communication. This section and the next look at two types of communication using the Internet email and chat.

Getting an email/webmail address

There are quite a few programs that give you access to email. Outlook, Messenger, Pegasus and Eudora are just a few of the numerous programs that you can find. Some of these come with your computer others you can download, usually free. These email programs are based on your computer. This means that when you create an email, or read one it is stored on your computer and you can only access it via your computer.

Webmail is a mail program that resides on the web. To access it you can use any computer that is linked to the Internet, not just your own computer. As most children use Microsoft Hotmail or MSN it is probably best to concentrate on these. If you can use Hotmail then it will give you some idea of what your children can do with their Hotmail accounts.

Firstly Hotmail is free, you do not have to pay anything to set up your account. All you need to go to is http://login.passport.net/uilogin.srf?lc=2057&id=2 and then click on the 'Sign In@ button.

Click on the 'Get it FREE' button and follow the instructions to get your very own email address.

Writing an email

Examples of hoax emails

Don't confuse a hoax email with a phishing email (which fraudulently tries to get you to divulge private information). Hoax emails are similar to chain letters. Examples include:

• Bogus virus warnings.
• The promise of free gifts or cash for forwarding an email.
• Political petitions.
• Appeals to help someone who is ill or in trouble.
• Chain letters ("forward this to ten people for good luck").

More sinister examples include:

• Pyramid schemes that promise a massive payback if you forward the message to enough people.
• Spammers who use hoax emails to collect addresses.
• Emails that maliciously target individuals and make trouble for them.

Tell-tale hoax warning signs:

• Requests to forward an email to five, ten people or more ("Forward this email to everyone you know").
• No verifiable information but lots of plausible but unsupported claims ("Thousands of people have already won").
• Colourful or over-eager language ("this is the WORST virus yet!").
• Credibility by association or, to put it bluntly, unsubstantiated name dropping ("Company X will give you £5 to forward this email to your friends").
• A hook to get your attention ("Make money fast" or "A little girl is dying").
• A threat to create a sense of urgency ("Claim your prize before it is too late").

What to do if you receive a hoax email

• If you suspect a hoax, check it out online at one of the following websites:
• Hoaxbusters
• F-Secure's
• McAfee
• Symantec
• Don't forward it.
• If you received it from a friend, consider sending them a copy of this article.

 

 

 

 

 

Return to top