It's Halloween Every Day!

The age of information and technology go hand in hand. There is very little need anymore for a hard-covered dictionary if you have a computer. You can order all of your gifts in a matter of minutes without even leaving the house and even have them delivered to the recipient free of charge. There isn't any need to wait for two weeks to receive snail mail from across the globe when you can instantly send and receive text messages. Yes, the computer and internet have significantly changed the way that we live and communicate.

But computers are just a tool and they can be used inappropriately. In fact, there are many ways that you can be scammed. Following are a few to watch for:

1. Friendship - How do you know if that person in Sweden who claims to be your "friend" is a twelve-year old girl or a fifty year old pedophile? You see, the internet allows you to have Halloween every day of the year. You or the other person can pretend you are anything or anyone you want to be. If you really want to build a solid friendship, it is important that you develop intimate relationships with people who you can spend time with. True colours will come out and it won't take long to prove or disprove their trustworthiness.
2. Money - When you are sent an email stating that there is money being held in another country that you can claim, BEWARE! Our government does not send random emails about your private financial information so if you receive one just know that someone is up to no good. Finally, be cautious when you are asked to open up any attachment. It is easy to be scammed when you are honest because you naturally expect that everyone else is honest. Not true!
3. Goods - When you enter your credit card into the internet you take a chance. It is so easy for even large reputable retailers to be victims of hackers. Make sure that you are wise about your purchasing habits.
4. Information - The internet is not regulated so anyone can write anything they want. Just because you find a fact doesn't mean that it is accurate. Many sites contain conspiracy campaigns, unresearched information or just plain lies.
5. Sex - Offers for encounters or performance enhancing drugs more than likely have a price. They might end up being financial or emotional ones that you don't want to pay. Use wisdom! When it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

It doesn't matter what type of tools you have in your life, each has potential for good or for harm. Think, for example what can happen when a gun is in the hands of someone who is fueled by anger or hasn't had safety training. The result can be horrible.

So too, with the computer! You perhaps use it for convenience and good but others may not have the same motives.