:1. Where can I find a clear explanation of Boolean operators? This webpage from the University of Lethbridge offers a clear explanation of how to use Boolean operators (NOT, AND, OR, quotation marks when doing internet research. As I explained in class, however, you will find it easier to use the Advanced Search option with search tools such as Google and Yahoo. For my own lessons on Search Tools, see my Internet tutorials.

2. Can you fraudulently create a webpage having .edu as your domain type? As you may recall from class, if a domain name ends with .edu, you are led to believe that the site was created by a United States college or university. For information on registering an .edu domain, see Network Solutions. The question in class was "If you are not affiliated with any college or university but want to add credibility to your site, can you get away with registering your site with the .edu domain name?

My research suggests that it may be possible for the fraudulent registration of an .edu domain, but information from Educause makes me believe that it would be very difficult to do so because when registering, you will be asked to "Provide Administrative Contact, Technical Contact, and Domain Name Server information."

In other words, in filling out the domain registration application, you would have to give the name and contact information of an official at the college, similar information for someone from the college technically involved in creating the Website, and finally information on the computer (Server) that will serve your site. The server is a special computer at your college that will make your site available for people around the world to view.

3. How can you register a domain name for your Website? Let's say, for example, that you have a company called Artistic Invitations, how can you register the domain name www.artinvite.com? For many years, I have used Purehost for the company that acts as the server of my Website www.gordonrichard.com. You can register your domain name through the company that you have hired to be your server. Here Purehost walks you through the steps of registering your domain name.

Hosting Review gives you links to ten of the most popular companies for hosting Websites. Yahoo is an example of a webhosting site that provides you also with information on registering your domain name by using Yahoo as your server.

Resources for the class for further study

The following gives Internet resources for material related to this short two hour class. By checking out these resources, you can learn far more about the subject -- Internet Dangers -- than I could possibly during our short time together.

How dangers on the Internet affect both computer users and non-users

Email scams, fraudulent websites, proliferation of misinformation. stealing and spreading confidential data -- some of the topics that will be discussed. By the way, just how popular is Internet use among senior citizens? Research reported in January 2005 states that more than two thirds of seniors between 50 and 64 have experience using the Internet. But for us older folks over 65, experience using the Internet drops to 31%.

For those students who know computer basics and how to get around the Internet, they will find these Internet resources helpful to either prepare or follow-up on our discussion on Internet dangers. .

1. Associated Press, by Bob Johnson: (Alabama) State Parents Fear Internet Dangers. Published on the Auburn University Website.
   
2. Better Business Bureau offers tips on avoiding the dangers of online shopping. What safety steps should you take to make your purchases on the Internet? BBB also points out how to avoid identity theft.
   
3. Child abuse on the Internet. Challenges law enforcement in combating websites that encourage child abuse. When you arrive at this site, go to page 44 of this 149 page research report by Christine Dolan. Her report is addressed to the International Humanitarian Campaign Against the exploitation of children." The section of her report of concern here is titled "Child Pornography and the Internet." In 2003, Ms. Dolan is accused of diverting charitable funds for her own personal use. Dolan faces a lawsuit for defamation of character. For more on this lawsuit, see (1) (2) (3)
   
4. CyberAngels. Parenting Young Online Child (Could also be "grandchild"). As a grandparent, your grandchildren may visit you at your home. They may use your computer or even their own laptops to access the Internet. As a grandparent, even if you are a non-computer user yourself, you should know enough about Internet safety to protect your grandchild while visiting you.
   Another source warning of internet dangers to children, especially teenagers.
   
5. Familydoctor.com. Internet Safety. Although this information is aimed at parents, it can also be helpful to grandparents who wish to help protect their grandchildren from Internet peril.
   
6. Federal Bureau of Investigation: A Parent's [Grandparent's] Guide to Internet Safety.This site provides the most comprehensive Internet safety material I have come across in a single place. OnGuardOnLine. Federal government and technology industry provides Internet Safety Tips.
   
7. Identity Theft. Even if you do not use the Internet, you should be aware of the Internet has made it easier for thieves to get access to private information. In one State, divorce papers are online, giving names, birth dates, and even signatures. To access this New York Times article, you may be required to register -- create your own ID and password, and then you can read past Times articles without charge.
   
   Recently, I learned that millions of veterans social security numbers and other information were stolen. It is possible that some this information, that could possibly lead to identity theft, could be distributed over the Internet. This webpage explains what steps you should take if you suspect your private information is being used illegally.
   
8. Internet Fraud, a site co-sponsored by the FBI, explains:
   
   •What Is Internet Fraud?
   •What Are The Major Types of Internet Fraud?
   •What Is The Department of Justice Doing About Internet Fraud?
   •How Should I Deal With Internet Fraud?
   •How Can I Get More Information About Internet Fraud?
   
9. Plagiarism and other form of cheating. Students today have far more options and temptations to cheat in school than we did when were youngsters. Using their cell phones, they can send messages asking for answers to other students in the classroom. If allowed to use their laptop computers in class, students can email or instant message test answers to others.They can also buy custom written research papers online.
   
   On the Internet, while doing a research paper, students can easily copy and paste paragraphs or entire documents into the body of their own research papers, pretending that the writing is there are. Fortunately, for instructors, there are programs that help detect such plagiarism. Turnitin. Other plagiarism detection programs from the University of Michigan Library. Easy steps to cut down on plagiarism from Coastal Carolina University. Article from the Boston Globe explains how the Internet has made plagiarism so easy.
   
   One way I make it harder for my students to plagiarize is to require them to write an annotated bibliography including information on how they discovered the sources used.
   
10. SeniorJournal.Com. Are "Wired" Seniors Sitting Ducks for scams, frauds, identity theft?
    
11. Terrorists, thanks to the Internet, find it easy to communicate and plan their nefarious deeds.
    
12. University of Florida Police Department’s Community Services Division: Potential Dangers Encountered on the Internet.
    
13. University of Tennessee, by Jeff Fisher, Martha Lockley, and others: Who Are the People in Your (Cyber)Neighborhood?

What are the Internet concerns that especially affect senior citizens?

1. Supervising visiting grandchildren.When your eleven year old grandchild pays you a visit, dropped off by Mom and Dad while they take a week's cruise, you'd better know what the youngster may be up to or may be enticed into doing when he is using your computer -- or if you don't have computer, perhaps he'll bring along his own laptop computer.
   ° Keeping your kids [Grandkids] Internet Safe and Smart from Commonsense.com, helps parents and grandparents understand the kinds of online activities they participate in, many of which can lead them into dangers.
   
2. Falling for scams. Many older seniors especially are vulnerable to Internet hoaxes, scams, or simply falling for lies that are spread by deceptive websites and email messages, especially the kind that ask you to forward the message to all your friends.
   
   • U.S. Senator Collins reports that "Senior citizens are especially vulnerable to Internet fraud." In March 2004, Senator Collins went on to say, "Senior citizens are the fastest growing group of Internet users."
   • Another reputable source reports "the percentage of people 65 and older using the Internet jumped 47 percent between 2000 and 2004." Maybe then we are the fastest growing segment of the American population vulnerable to losing both our money and our identity over the Internet.
     
     Even if we don't use a computer ourselves, we could have a grandchild that comes to us all upset because of a phony email message he has received. If we are aware of how commonplace such messages are, we can reassure the youngster that the message may be a hoax and encourage him to use sources on the Internet to detect such deceptions.
     
3. Gambling addiction: Many of us older folks enjoy a day trip to Atlantic City, perhaps to play blackjack or hit the slots. Imagine though having a big time casino in your own bedroom. Well, that's what the Internet can provide -- a twenty four hour, at home, chance to lose all our money and perhaps even get addicted to gambling. So serious is the problem that U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte, on May 11, 2007, introduced a bill to ban Internet gambling.
   ° A college student becomes an addicted online gambler, loses all his money, and robs a bank to pay off his gambling debts.
   
4. Health information. The older we get, the more likely it becomes that we will need more and more good, reliable medical information. Unfortunately, the danger does exist that we may get incorrect health information online. The NCCAM, affiliated with the National Institute of Health, gives ten criteria to apply when evaluating health related websites.
   
5. Phony caller IDs. Don't rely on your phone's Caller ID giving you the correct identity of the person or business who has called you. Calling cards available over the Internet allow scammers to call you, giving any caller ID they wish. Your caller ID on your phone may indicate that it is your bank calling, when instead it could be someone with fraudulent motives not from your bank at all.