Safer Internet Day: Think B4 U Post

Tuesday 9 February is Safer Internet Day, an event to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology particularly among young people.

Safer Internet Day is part of an EU project that runs every year and is backed by the wider online security industry.

Many security firms have marked the occasion by issuing safety advice to surfers on topics such as password security and phishing scams.

Webroot advised surfers to exercise caution online and to heed the theme of this year's Safer Internet Day: Think B4 U Post.

"Make sure you understand the consequences of whatever you do, write, post, or click online. Once you develop your internet spidey senses, you'll be able to spot something that's out of place, or weird, or just dodgy before it catches you out," said Webroot's Andrew Brandt.

Security help and advice from Web User

VeriSign marked Safer Internet Day by warning against posting too much information on social-networking sites such as Facebook.

Phil D'Angio, online security expert at VeriSign, said: "Most people have their name and date of birth on social-networking sites. Many also post their mobile phone numbers and email addresses.

"If you throw a party and invite your friends online, then criminals can retrieve your postal address. Before you know it you're a prime target for identity theft," he continued.

And Optenet is marking Safer Internet Day by offering a free 12-month subscription to its WebFilter PC product, which lets parents monitor their child's online activities, to anyone visiting the site on Tuesday 9 February.