For quite a few years now, the internet has been used not only to research topics or watch videos, but it is also used in various types of communication. This communication occurs through email, instant messaging, blogs and the ever so popular, My Space. In this blog I’m going to explain the various types of online communications and about the proper use and safety of these certain programs.

One way of communicating online is through email. You can get an email account through many different websites, such as Google, Yahoo, MSN, and Hotmail. Email is a very useful way of communication over the internet, but it can also be fairly dangerous. There are many things that could go wrong. It has been said not to send confidential things through email, mainly because the email could be hack and your personal information can be reached. Also, if you receive an email and you don’t know who it is from; don’t open it, only because you could easily download a virus that could crash your computer. If you have low security settings on your computer, it could happen a lot quicker than you think. You should check your email as often as possible, so you can delete unwanted messages and respond to your own emails, as well as saving storage space for more productive use of your email. When you send an email with an attachment, make sure that it doesn’t have such a large file, so that the person receiving the attached email can also receive other messages without there space being filled.

Another way of communication online is through instant messaging and chat rooms. Instant messaging can be done through many different programs such as AOL, MSN, and Yahoo. Chats can also be accessed through these programs. Things you should be weary of when going into chat rooms is to not give out your personal information. There are plenty of people that go on the internet and use it to find victims to rape, stalk, or even kill. It’s really important to keep your personal matters, personal, and to only talk online to people you know. It’s always nice to meet new people through the internet, but you always have to be safe. So, never give any personal information that could get you in trouble.

Finally, the last way of communication through the internet is through Myspace, and Facebook. In order to communicate through these websites, you have to make a profile. With this profile, you can comment on other people’s profiles, pictures, blogs, and videos. When you make the profile, don’t give out any personal information. For instance, where you live, your full name, etc. You have to be smart about these specific websites because those sites are the number one way for sexual predators and other people to find you easily. I honestly believe that Facebook and Myspace are pretty cool, but you really have to be cautious about the profiles you make and the people you talk to. When on these websites, don’t add friends that you don’t know, don’t talk to people you don’t know, and keep the profiles simple, so you don’t put yourself, or others, in danger.

Communication over the internet is both fun and dangerous at the same time. If you are not cautious about what you write, or put on the internet, you could be faced with consequences. Even though it doesn’t seem like it’s a dangerous thing, but there are so many things that could go wrong and put you in harms way. So when it comes to online communication, be safe.

Instant Messaging Websites:

http://aim.com/

http://messanger.yahoo.com/

http://meebo.com/

Email Clients:

http://yahoo.com/

http://gmail.com/

http://hotmail.com/

http://msn.com/

Other Communication Websites:

http://myspace.com/

http://facebook.com/