Why is it important to study and address the topic of Internet Etiquette?

1. The Internet is used for communication. It is a relatively new form of communication. It is two-way communication with the potential for real time interaction using sight and sound. However, much of the communication takes place without sound and with minimal visuals, usually static words and graphics delivered in delayed time or stored and retrieved.

Consequently, there are many opportunities for miscommunication and misunderstanding. Albert Mehrabian, a psychologist, estimates that only seven percent of communication is the words. Thirty-eight percent is attributed to tone of voice, and fifty-five percent is attributed to body language.

2. The Internet is used for promotion and advocacy of ideas, storage and retrieval of information. Most of the time a user searches for and selects the information desired. However, sometimes information is delivered unsolicited, is unwanted and is potentially offensive.

3. The Internet is neutral, but users can add content and engage in non-neutral activities. The Internet can be used, or misued, in a malicious manner. People may be purposefully rude or even destructive with hoaxes and viruses.

http://www.wikipedia.org/

We will stop short of security issues, illegal activites and identity theft as we discuss netiquette. That is another lesson, Chapter 25 - Societal Issues.
http://www.udel.edu/interlit/chapter25.html

Briefly:

Malware - Defined
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware | CNet

Spyware - Defined
CCleaner | Ad-Aware

Anti-Virus - Computer Virus Defined
McAfee | McAfee Dealer | Norton | Norton Dealer

Hoaxes - Here is an example of a commom email hoax I have received twice in the last year. I fell for it the first time because the person who sent it to me was a computer science colleague.
teddy bear
email hoax
Nigerian
lottery
inheritance
Account Expires - Email Capacity Exceeded

PayPal

N.Y.Times

http://www.udel.edu/interlit/chapter5.html#hoaxes