How to play it safe on chat

Here's a list of things to keep in mind to stay away from falling prey to online crime.

Gender bender:

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If you intend to chat with random people online, create an email ID with a neutral name. Avoid anything too suggestive, too cute, sexual, diminutive, or overtly feminine.

Privacy first:

Many hackers can track your email details, so keep personal and professional stuff away from the ID you intend to use for chatting.

Learn to ignore:

Always check out what options/preferences are available to you, and put unwanted users into the ‘ignore’ list. If anyone bothers you and won’t go away, report them. Most IM services offer that option.

Watch out:

When you participate in a conversation online, be careful. Don’t be too rash or too blunt, just because you are not saying something to someone face-to-face. People may take offence and try to trouble you later, so do not create an unhappy

situation for anyone.

Protect your password:

Your ISP will never, ever ask you for your password while you are online or on email. So never ever respond to mails that ask for a password.