Help for Cable customers

There are many ways of chatting on the Internet and whether you use chat rooms, message boards, forums, social networks or instant messaging, the web is great for keeping in touch with friends or communicating with people interested in the same things as you.

However, there are a number of risks associated with chat and instant messaging in particular, so it's worth following a few basic guidelines.

• Always supervise your children's Internet activity. Children are especially at risk as child abusers and so-called 'groomers' do use the Internet to approach children and gain their trust. Read our tips for parents or children.
  
• Don't give personal info when you chat. People are not always who they seem, and providing your address, phone number or email address puts you at risk from fraud or abuse.
  
• Use a different email address if you chat online. You are more at risk from spam and other annoyances if your email address is easily visible to others.
  
• Be very careful when accepting or opening files that are sent to you during chat sessions. The file may be something malicious and could damage your computer or access your data. Find out more about file sharing reading How to share files safely on the Internet.
  
• Make sure you follow general Internet safety advice such as making sure you are set up with anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and a firewall.
  
• Know the rules governing your chat experience. Most chat rooms or forums have rules that govern what is acceptable and what is not. Read the Virgin Media Acceptable use policy.
  
• Report abuse. Some people are rude, disruptive, defamatory and obscene in online chat. There is no reason why these people should spoil the experience for others.