Online Dating How To Protect Your Privacy On The Internet

Online Dating- How To Protect Your Privacy On The Internet

Online Dating- How to Protect your privacy on the Internet
Online dating is becoming more and more mainstream, as people from all walks of life plug in and find their soul mate in cyberspace. Here are six tips to finding that special someone while still maintaining your privacy and safety online.
1. Avoid large, public chat rooms where anything can (and does!) take place. Some people frequent these areas just to see what they can get away with. Instead, focus on smaller, more targeted web sites or chat rooms that match your interests or lifestyle. There are many online dating sites that cater to specific hobbies and several offer free trial memberships.

2. When you find a chat room, dating site, or forum that matches your interest, introduce yourself with only as much information as you feel comfortable giving. Don't plaster your phone number, address or any other personal information on the site. Wait until you meet someone with whom you truly "click" and have spoken to them for awhile. Common sense and that "gut feeling" are great indicators for when something just doesn't seem quite right.

3. Participate in the forum or chat room regularly. Keep it "low-key" until you start forming friendships with the regular members there. Be honest, and be yourself - after all, being natural is what will endear you to a particular mate.

4. Keep your correspondence limited to e-mail and chat until you get to know the person well enough to feel comfortable sharing your phone number and talking for the first time. If you need a good ice-breaker, start off the chat by talking about the forum or chat room where you met and any special interests that brought you two together.

5. If you decide to meet each other in person, choose a neutral, public place. You may even choose a town or city that's not the same as the one where you live. Restaurants, parks, theaters and other public places where people gather often are a good place to start. Alternately, you could choose to attend a special event in your area together, perhaps a concert, festival or fair. Either way, let friends or family know where you're going and who you're going with, as well as what time you'll be returning so they'll know how and where to reach you.

6. If you're interested in a few online "matches" that come your way, consider setting up a post office box and a free e-mail account to share information with each other. That way, if you come to find that you really don't "click" with this person, you won't feel as if you've given any personal contact information away.

If you follow these six tips, chances are you'll have a great time with your cyber date and have a successful experience with online dating. Remember to be honest and be yourself! If you do, chances are that you'll find that perfect special someone who enjoys you for who you are!

More information on Online Dating

BONUS : Online Dating - How To Tell If The Website Is Genuine

Online dating services are big business, pulling in over 3 million members on over 1000 online dating websites through out the internet. Over 17 million hits were recorded in 2002, with 15,000 new users logging on each day. But after spending your evenings surfing these sites and in chat rooms, how do you know if the site you've chosen is a reputable site where you can find a real mate?

There are over 100 free online dating services, which can attract people who aren't committed to being a site member and following through with the rules that the site set up. A good rule of thumb is that reputable online dating sites will charge you monthly for becoming a member. This isn't necessarily true of all dating services online, but it’s a good idea to keep in mind. Online dating personals that consist mostly of chat rooms and instant messages can be a wary place to be as well. (Pay attention to the screen names these people chose!)

Take a good look at pictures sent from online dating services. Look for things in the background which could mean the sender is being deceptive, (like a picture of him leaning on a Rolls Royce with a dealership flyer in the background…) and choose a site that asks for your zip code which verifies that there are actually people in your area registered with their site. Also, choose a site with a detailed profile; it will be well worth your time because it will be used to narrow down the response list.

Another online dating tip for choosing the best sites, go with a popular one, even if it means higher membership rates. Popular online dating websites are already proven websites, and for the money, why not go with a site that is already successful?