by Terry Brown
Remember that Internet information is not always factual. Whether you’re chatting or surfing Web sites, be skeptical about information and people. Not everything on the Internet is true. You don’t have to be afraid of the Internet, but you should always be cautious. Practice caution with others even in Christian chat rooms.
It’s okay to chat about your likes and dislikes, but never give out personal information. Do not tell anyone your name, phone number, address, or even the name of your school, team, church, or neighborhood. Be cautious. . . . You will be like sheep among wolves. So be as smart as snakes. But also be like doves and do nothing wrong. Be careful of people (Matthew 10:16-17).
Cyber Glossary
Bounced mail An e-mail that has been returned to its sender.
Chat A live conversation—typed or spoken through microphones—among individuals in a chat room.
Chat room A “place” on the Internet where individuals meet to “talk” with one another.
Crack To break a security code.
Download To receive information from a more powerful computer.
E-mail Electronic mail which is sent through the Internet.
E-mail address An Internet address where e-mail is received.
File Any document or image stored on a computer.
Floppy Disk A small, thin plastic object which stores information to be accessed by a computer.
Hacker Someone who tries to gain unauthorized access to another computer or network of computers.
Header Text at the beginning of an e-mail which identifies the sender, subject matter, and the time at which it was sent.
Homepage A Web site’s first page.
Internet A worldwide electronic network that connects computers to each other.
Link Highlighted text or a graphic element which may be clicked with the mouse in order to “surf” to another Web site or page.
Log on/Log in To connect to a computer network.
Modem A device which enables computers to exchange information.
The Net The Internet.
Newbie A person who is learning or participating in something new.
Online To have Internet access. Can also mean to use the Internet.
Surf To move from page to page through links on the Web.
The Web The World Wide Web or WWW.
Upload To send information to a more powerful computer.