Safety First in Online Dating Relationships
Online dating can be fun. But don’t neglect personal safety and computer security and for sure use common sense when you try to hook up with a mate. At minimum, take precautions in the following areas.
Protect Your Computer.
Take care of your equipment and systems before you head out into the Internet dating world. You need to have some security software, a firewall and anti-virus protection for your email and for when you search websites and interact online. At the bare minimum, you may want these two solutions that are offered at no charge to home computer users (i.e. not for commercial use):
Free Firewall Download: ZoneAlarm www.zonelabs.com
Free Anti-Virus Download: AVG Anti-Virus www.grisoft.com
Both of those are very good. Personally I use Norton but my GF’s computer uses Zone Alarm and the free AVG anti virus and she doesn’t have any problems. Both appear to work very well and have been highly recommended by software reviewers.
Protect Yourself.
Take care of yourself, too, by choosing appropriate dating sites. Seek and choose a reputable online dating service. How? Begin by asking around with friends, neighbors, co-workers and others you may know who have tried online dating, and see which places they recommend.
In addition, search ‘online dating services’ and keep a notebook of their URLs or website links, the fees, rules and regulations, complete contact information of each and any other useful information that grabs your interest. Then compare each place. Try only those places where you feel safe. Avoid the others.
So take care. Arm your computer and yourself with the correct tools and knowledge!
June 13th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Online dating is a very scary thought to me. However, with the tips and safety measure you mentioned, this could lessen the uncertainties of people like me who are dumb-scared on meeting dates online.