Navigate the Internet Superhighway
 

The Smart Traveler
Millions of people are traveling the Internet (a.k.a. Cyberspace). And as going online gets easier and more affordable, even more will venture into Cyberspace.

Because Cyberspace is an image on a computer screen, sometimes it is called a "virtual" world — not actually real. But travel anywhere has real risks and rewards. No matter where you go — even if you don't actually leave your home to get there — common sense and knowledge are your best travel companions.

The Federal Trade Commission and your state Attorney General offer this guide to help you prepare for your voyage and avoid fraud and deception en route. We hope you'll share it with your family and especially with children, so that they will be savvy travelers when they visit Cyberspace, too.

Getting the Most From Your Travel
There is so much to do in Cyberspace and so many "sites" to see that you may wish you had a tour guide. Chances are your Internet service provider (ISP) offers a lot of information on its web site — from news to shopping to games — including links to other web sites. If you know where you want to go, you can simply type in the URL and go there. Or, you can use a search engine to look among web sites to find what you're looking for.

You might visit a famous museum, catch the latest news, enter a chat room to discuss a topic that interests you, learn about parenting, search for a travel bargain, purchase a book or CD, start a part-time business, or e-mail a letter to your far-flung family in a single step.

Books, articles, friends, and people you work with can steer you to many interesting web sites. Once you're on the road, your own curiosity and interests will lead you to even more sites.

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