Are you new to the internet? If so, I would like to share some information with you that could save you many hours of headache and frustration.

1. Be aware that people can send files into your computer that can read everything you do and track you wherever you surf.

2. Be aware that there are censors on the internet. Some will want to censor information that has to do with God. Others will want to censor information that has to do with sinful activity. If you are outspoken about sin, some sinful groups may become offended and try to get your service provider to cancel your service.

3. Some service providers may work with other agencies, (i.e.-- the Government) to send files into your computer. These files can report on all of your computer/internet activity.

4. You may be accustomed to living in a free speech society. If so, beware of the internet. Certain factions want only the speech they approve of. Some of those factions currently have a foothold in internet culture. Some of them are woefully sinful factions.

5. Beware of "get rich quick" schemes on the internet. You could lose much money in some of those programs. There are many types. For example, chain letters represent one type. Some chain-letter schemes are illegal. They may claim to be legal but may not be. I would check with the Postal Inspector before engaging in any of them.

6. Beware of internet "fever". Internet fever is the excitement and feeling that causes you to imagine instant financial success by simply putting up a webpage on the internet. You imagine how "all the world" can see your page and purchase your product(s). Internet fever can run a person into poverty. Consider this, there are multiple millions of webpages on the internet. Now, how will people find your page among those multiple millions? "Search engines", you say. Well, search engines help but many of those other millions are counting on search engines also. Many of them are already on the search engines. If you are going to do business on the internet, you must do it the "hard work" way. You must find effective ways to drive qualified prospects to your business sites. This requires much time and much hard work (unless you have money to burn). Don't be fooled by fast-talking website developers who tell you about all the money you are going to make after you pay them to put up a five to ten page site. I'm not saying that instant success is impossible, however, for most people it is improbable. "Get rich quick(ly)" schemes usually do not work, not even on the internet.

7. Computers can soak up an awful lot of time. Don't allow the computer to steal the time you owe to your family, friends, and associates. If you are married, be sure your spouse is aware of what you are doing and feels a part of it. The computer can come between your spouse and you. If your spouse is not computer literate, he or she may suspect that you may be engaging in a computer relationship with some other person. You don't want your spouse to have to wonder about such activity.

8. Be careful which sites you choose to visit. I personally try to stay away from sites that have high security status. For example, I stay away from sensitive military sites and other governmental sites that might want to question my interest. I am not telling you to do what I do, I'm just telling you what I do.

9. When chatting and exchanging email with people, be careful what you tell them. You may be truthful but they may not be. I'm sorry to say it, but there are a lot of "not-so-good" people out there.