Students are online chatting, updating profiles, doing academic research, and emailing so much it’s easy to let your guard down. A few things to look out for and a few things to think about before hitting that "post" button.

Did you know job-applicants are now being “googled” by employers?

• Employers are turning away applicants if a personal website, or site like Facebook or Myspace is “too crazy, or rude.”
• High school students are being expelled and employees are being fired for things posted on personal sites.
• Adults, employers and school officials can find stuff you post online, and they’re learning to search for it.
• Before posting crazy pictures or comments on sites like Facebook or Myspace, think about how it could be “interpreted” by employers or school officials.
• What most employers/school officials find unacceptable: extreme profanity, threatening comments, nude/pornographic pictures, degrading/prejudiced remarks, images of mutilation etc.
• You may not want to think about this stuff now, but file it away. It’ll be useful when you look for a job, graduate, or start sending applications out for graduate school.

Did you know online-money-scams are at an all-time high?

• Do not use public computers to check/update your online banking, or to purchases something with a credit card.
• Never give your social security number online. Usually, your soc number is only required for financial or academic reasons (i.e. your bank/credit union’s website, or EMU’s website).
• Giving out your bank/credit union account or credit card number is reserved for specific reasons, online banking or purchases from common websites like Amazon.com.
• Take great care if you get an online email or request for your bank account—these are usually scams. When in doubt, don’t respond at all.
• Any emails requesting a soc/account number from the university or bank/credit union must have that institution’s colors, logos, and internet links—if they don’t, then don’t respond.