Communication & Social Networking
Read our free, impartial online safety advice on communication and social networking. Below you will find advice on many topics including instant messaging, social networking sites and phishing.
WhatsApp and Other Closed Messaging Apps
WhatsApp and other closed messaging apps such as Wickr, Signal and Telegram are hugely popular not only as private chat spaces but also as social media platforms and applications in their own right. Their use increased...
Your Information & Facebook
Facebook - the world's most popular social network - has in excess of 2 billion members around the world. It obtains revenue from advertising: if you ever wonder how products that you've shown an interest in pop up in the...
Social Media Phishing
It is well-known that email messages, texts and phone calls are methods commonly used by criminals to approach people with the aim of committing financial or identity fraud … or both. However, social media is also a favourite...
Chatrooms
What are chatrooms, and are they safe to use? Chatrooms are virtual places on the Internet where people can get together and ‘talk’ using text. Some use specific programs to access and use the facility, others are built into...
Blogging
A blog, short for web log, is a website that is regularly updated with new posts, similar to a diary. Services such as WordPress and Blogger have made it easy for private individuals and companies to set up their own blogs....
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging (IM) allows you to ‘chat’ in real time over the internet in a similar way to mobile phone text messages, but with many systems now also enabling voice and video calls. Some of the best-known dedicated...
Social Networking Sites
Social networking is a global revolution, enabling billions of people worldwide to stay in touch with their friends, share experiences and photographs and exchange personal content. In many ways it has replaced the phone and...
Skype & Other Video Calls
Internet video or voice (VoIP) calls are very inexpensive and convenient, and especially useful for online meetings between two or more parties who cannot – or do not wish to – attend face-to-face meetings, seminars, training...
