Introduction
Just why would you want your kids online, anyhow?
Obviously, you surf the 'net. That's how you found this guide! So it's clear that you are comfortable using the medium known as the World Wide Web.
What about letting your kids online?
Some have decided that there is simply too much risk in having an internet connection at all. They may be concerned about crackers accessing their personal files and documents, or possibly taking over the entire system itself.
Sadly, they are on solid ground in making that decision. The very nature of Windows operating systems makes them tempting cracker targets. Unless a user is proactive about keeping their home system secured, it will likely become loaded with worms, viruses, trojans, and spyware in very short order via an internet connection.
However, taking some basic security steps will keep your system safe (see Chapter 5).
But what about letting your kids online?
 Any parent who decides not to do so should not be criticized. After all, it's the parents' prerogative to decide what is best for their children. If that means no internet, so be it.
However, I hope that ALL parents will review the information contained herein, and use it to make their own informed decision about granting web access to their offspring.
The fact is that there is an astonishing amount of educational material on the web, accessible for the total cost of zilch. If you, as a parent, decide that accessing that resource is something that your children should do, then this publication will give you the guidance you need to do so safely.
So read on!
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