What is Open Source Software?
Open source software is software whose source code is available for modification or enhancement by anyone. It must be freely available for use by anyone anywhere. It was created to be freely available. The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative philosophy states that the web should be a freely accessible common space. Downloading Open Source software is not theft. Downloading a pirated copy of proprietary software that is not intended to be free is theft.
There are some general rules to live by online: use anti-virus software! If it is flashing, don't click the link; if there is a picture of someone naked, don't click the link; if it is offering free emoji's, don't click the link! If the social media platform is free, you and your information and your browsing habits are the product. If it seems too good to be true it probably is.
Avoid Misleading Information - The internet overflows with false claims and fiction pretending to be fact. This can be everything from an emotional / heart-warming story shared on social media, claims of scientifically proven fact, or blatantly false reports of the death of a famous person. If you are wondering if something is true one excellent source for verification is SNOPES.com "the definitive Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation."