Most people on the Internet behave honestly, but there are always some troublemakers. What risks might you encounter online? And what practical steps can you take to keep yourself safe and happy?Bandits on the Information Superhighway provides a crash course in Internet "street smarts," revealing realistic risks that every user should know about. In addition, this book debunks the overhyped scare stories about Net pornography, computer crime, and dangers to children, perpetuated by the uninformed media. The Net really is a safe place, as long as you take a few simple precautions. Bandits provides that knowledge.Bandits covers online privacy, fake money-making schemes, deceptive advertising, electronic junk mail and "spamming," safe buying and selling, advice for parents, online romance do's and don'ts, pranks and hoaxes, users' rights, and much more.This book will show you: How much privacy you have on the Net, and how you can get more How to spot common Internet scams, like "get rich quick" schemes and deceptive advertising, and where to look for help if you get ripped off The "Ten Commandments" of buying and selling personal items on the Net, when you don't know the other people involved What every parent should know about the Internet, and the simple truth behind popular "scare stories" about pornography and pedophiles The risks of meeting, trusting, or falling in love with people that you've never met in the flesh With first-person anecdotes, technical tips, and the advice of experts from diverse fields, Bandits on the Information Superhighway helps you identify and avoid risks online, so you can have a more productive and enjoyable time on the Internet.