A EULA is a legal contract between you and the software publisher. It spells out the terms and conditions for using the software. For instance, it might say you can only install the software on one computer for your personal use, a fairly common stipulation. However, it might also say that by using the software you agree to third-party monitoring or to allowing other users to access parts of your computer.

You can agree to the EULA’s terms in several ways, depending on the publisher and how it distributes its  software. Some of the ways you can “agree” may surprise you, however, because they don’t look or feel anything like signing a contract. You might agree by

• Clicking an “I accept” button during the installation process
• Opening the shrink wrap software packaging
• Breaking the seal on the software CD
• Mailing a registration card to the software publisher
• Installing the application
• Using the application

You can refuse to accept the terms and conditions of the EULA, but then you can’t legally use the software.

Why EULAs are Important
EULAs can include a number of items you should seriously consider before installing the software. In general, you should note the following facts about EULAs:

• EULAs are legally binding. Some consumer advocates have challenged the legality of EULAs, especially long agreements clouded in complicated “legalese.” The advocates argue these EULAs are a strategy for discouraging careful review and hiding controversial terms and conditions. However, a number of influential court decisions have upheld the legality of EULAs, so you need to assume you’re entering into legal agreements when you accept their terms.
• EULAs restrict how you can use the software. EULAs often include clauses that limit the number of computers you can load the software on. They sometimes also prohibit reverse engineering for the purpose of creating compatible software. In some cases they prohibit software testing and even publishing the results of this testing.
• EULAs may force you to agree to certain conditions when using the software. Many software bundles force you to use all bundled components, including software produced by third-party publishers. They may also require you to agree to monitoring of your internet activity and/or sharing your computer’s resources.
• EULAs can limit your ability to sue for damages. Most EULAs include a clause that says you cannot sue the publisher for any damages caused by using the software.

While email attachments are a popular and convenient way to send documents, they are also a common source of viruses. Use caution when opening attachments, even if they appear to have been sent by someone you know.

Why can email attachments be dangerous?
Some of the characteristics that make email attachments convenient and popular are also the ones that make them a common tool for attackers:

• Email is easily circulated - Forwarding email is so simple that viruses can quickly infect many machines. Most viruses don’t even require users to forward the email—they scan a users’ computer for email addresses and automatically send the infected message to all of the addresses they find. Attackers take advantage of the reality that most users will automatically trust and open any message that comes from someone they know.
• Email programs try to address all users’ needs - Almost any type of file can be attached to an email message, so attackers have more freedom with the types of viruses they can send.
• Email programs offer many “user-friendly” features - Some email programs have the option to automatically download email attachments, which immediately exposes your computer to any viruses within the attachments.

What steps can you take to protect yourself and others in your address book?

• Be wary of unsolicited attachments, even from people you know - Just because an email message looks like it came from your mom, grandma, or boss doesn’t mean that it did. Many viruses can “spoof” the return address, making it look like the message came from someone else. If you can, check with the person who supposedly sent the message to make sure it’s legitimate before opening any attachments. This includes email messages that appear to be from your ISP or software vendor and claim to include patches or anti-virus software. ISPs and software vendors do not send patches or software in email.
• Save and scan any attachments before opening them - If you have to open an attachment before you can verify the source, take the following steps:
  1. Be sure the signatures in your anti-virus software are up to date (see Understanding Anti-Virus Software for more information)
  2. Save the file to your computer or a disk
  3. Manually scan the file using your anti-virus software
  4. Open the file
• Turn off the option to automatically download attachments - To simplify the process of reading email, many email programs offer the feature to automatically download attachments. Check your settings to see if your software offers the option, and make sure to disable it.
• Consider additional security practices - You may be able to filter certain types of attachments through your email software

You’ve probably learned a long list of important safety and privacy lessons already: Look both ways before crossing the street; buckle up; hide your diary where your nosy brother can’t find it; don’t talk to strangers.

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, is urging kids to add one more lesson to the list: Don’t post information about yourself online that you don’t want the whole world to know. The Internet is the world’s biggest information exchange: many more people could see your information than you intend, including your parents, your teachers, your employer, the police — and strangers, some of whom could be dangerous.

Social networking sites have added a new factor to the “friends of friends” equation. By providing information about yourself and using blogs, chat rooms, email, or instant messaging, you can communicate, either within a limited community, or with the world at large. But while the sites can increase your circle of friends, they also can increase your exposure to people who have less-than-friendly intentions. You’ve heard the stories about people who were stalked by someone they met online, had their identity stolen, or had their computer hacked.

Your Safety’s at Stake
The FTC suggests these tips for socializing safely online:

• Think about how different sites work before deciding to join a site. Some sites will allow only a defined community of users to access posted content; others allow anyone and everyone to view postings.
• Think about keeping some control over the information you post. Consider restricting access to your page to a select group of people, for example, your friends from school, your club, your team, your community groups, or your family.
• Keep your information to yourself. Don’t post your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, or bank and credit card account numbers — and don’t post other people’s information, either. Be cautious about posting information that could be used to identify you or locate you offline. This could include the name of your school, sports team, clubs, and where you work or hang out.
• Make sure your screen name doesn’t say too much about you. Don’t use your name, your age, or your hometown. Even if you think your screen name makes you anonymous, it doesn’t take a genius to combine clues to figure out who you are and where you can be found.
• Post only information that you are comfortable with others seeing — and knowing — about you. Many people can see your page, including your parents, your teachers, the police, the college you might want to apply to next year, or the job you might want to apply for in five years.
• Remember that once you post information online, you can’t take it back. Even if you delete the information from a site, older versions exist on other people’s computers.
• Consider not posting your photo. It can be altered and broadcast in ways you may not be happy about. If you do post one, ask yourself whether it’s one your mom would display in the living room.
• Flirting with strangers online could have serious consequences. Because some people lie about who they really are, you never really know who you’re dealing with.
• Be wary if a new online friend wants to meet you in person. Before you decide to meet someone, do your research: Ask whether any of your friends know the person, and see what background you can dig up through online search engines. If you decide to meet them, be smart about it: Meet in a public place, during the day, with friends you trust. Tell an adult or a responsible sibling where you’re going, and when you expect to be back.
• Trust your gut if you have suspicions. If you feel threatened by someone or uncomfortable because of something online, tell an adult you trust and report it to the police and the social networking site. You could end up preventing someone else from becoming a victim.