Chat Safety

Chat safety is a must when having a chat with a stranger over the Internet. Meeting and interacting with people, who would have been otherwise unavailable due to distance barriers is exciting. But the increase of cyber crimes over the past ten years is alarming. Hence, you are requested to abide by some very simple guidelines while chatting with strangers and meeting up with them.

First, let us have a look at all the crimes and illegal issues related to the Internet:

1. Internet Hacking
2. Hate Crimes
3. Telemarketing and Internet frauds
4. Identity Thefts
5. Credit card account thefts
6. Internet pornography

Irrespective of the chat platform where you have met a person, your possibility of getting cheated is quite high. In spite of the recent improvement in cyber crime law, there is not much that the law can do if you do not take the necessary precautions to strengthen your chat safety rules. If you are a parent, always supervise your kids' access to the Internet because pedophile problem has become the newest kind of terror in town.

So while having fun interacting, do remember our chat safety rules:

The Essential Don'ts for ensuring Chat Safety

• Do not give out your land line phone number to an unknown person.
• Do not give out your residential or office address details to a person over the first chat.
• Do not believe impressive details about the person over a single session of chat. It is always good to clarify, but better not to take any details seriously.
• Avoid making marriage match over the Internet. We are not asking you to boo the matrimonial sites. But do clarify the details in person.
• Avoid getting close and personal with such a person, at least in the first few days.
• Do not give out important office facts that the person can dole out among unwanted groups.
• Do not give out personal details or you might get emotionally harassed.
• Do not share your photograph or show yourself on the web cam. Who knows? Your photo might get manipulated in unwanted ways.

With so many Don'ts, to weigh you down here are the Essential Do's that can double your fun while maintaining your chat safety:

• If you decide to meet up a chat-pal, ask a few friends to give you company. Also ask the chat friend to bring his friends as well. That way you can avoid the risk of getting cheated or being impressed unnecessarily. Do make a proper evaluation of the company he brings along with him as well.
• Meet in public places.
• Try and get more authentic information about the person's family and background.
• Try to befriend his friends. Too many people would not be able to fool you even if they intend to.
• If you become serious friends then make it a point to actually meet up the person regularly.