Registering

Many websites won't let you look at all of their pages unless you register with them.

In some cases this is because they charge for content and want to keep track of who has paid and who hasn't.

On other sites you will be able to enter freely and view some of the pages, but they make you register before you can use extra features. This is especially common with message board and chat sites.

Most shopping and other e-commerce sites make you register because they need to hold onto personal details like those of your credit card and home address.

Registering on the BBC

Our own website bbc.co.uk has many extra features which you can only use if you become a member.

One of these extras is called 'Connector'.

Connector allows you to chat to other people who are looking at the same bbc.co.uk page as you.

Beginning registration

You won't be able to access Connector or any other site without a member name and password.

Like many sites that ask you to register with them, bbc.co.uk/connector asks you to 'Create your membership' or 'Begin Registration' if you are a new visitor.

A similar worded link will be found on all sites that require registration before you can access them.

Choosing your identity

Once you've clicked the link to register, most sites will ask you to choose a user name or member name.

A good user name is short and memorable and shouldn't be the same as your full name.

Your full name could be used to trace you and your first name will be a common choice that may already be taken. Choose a nickname or shortened version that you can easily remember.

And don't be surprised if your first choice has already been taken - sites have lots of members, so you might not be the first Johnsmith.

Choosing a password

After selecting a user name, most sites will ask you to choose a password.

The best passwords are always a mix of upper and lower case letters and numbers such as: E1w2ece

It often helps to pick letters for your password from a phrase that you can remember, e.g. 'Everyone wants to eat chocolate eggs' becomes 'E1w2ece'

Make your password secure

Never use your name or a full English word in your password as these can easily be guessed.

It is also recommended that you change your password every month or so for security reasons.

And although you might be tempted to use the same password for every website you register to, please do not. If someone manages to guess one of your passwords, they could have access to all the sites you're registered to.

How websites can help

Most browsers will hide your password as you type it in, so that no-one can read it on the screen over your shoulder.

Just to make sure you've typed it in correctly, most websites will ask you to type your password two times when you are registering.

The website will then compare the two passwords to make sure you haven't made any mistakes. If you have, you'll be asked to type them both again.

The secret question and answer

It is quite common to forget passwords or for a site to want even more security before you can access it.

When this is required, websites will often ask for a secret question and answer that acts as an additional or backup password.

If you forget your password, the secret question can be answered so you can apply for a new one.

Good secret questions should relate to personal information that only you know, such as: "What is my mother's maiden name?"

Of course, it is important to know the answer, and that it is an answer that few strangers could easily guess otherwise they could use it to apply for your password.

Most websites will ask for a secret question and answer when you register and this will help the site know if it's really you when you lose your password.

Once you answer it correctly, the site can then give you a new password or remind you of your old one.

Date of birth and logging on

To add to the information you have already submitted about your identity, some websites will ask you for your date of birth when you register.

bbc.co.uk ask for your date of birth when registering because it allows us to protect our younger members by guiding them to safer sites with more appropriate content.

A site may also let you select a box that remembers all your details on your computer so you don't have to log-in each time you visit.

Do not select this 'Remember Me' option if lots of other people have access to the same computer. Otherwise they will be able to login to sites under your name.

Asking permission and optional information

Whenever you come to the end of a section in the registration process you will often be asked to click a button labelled 'Proceed' or 'Continue' or 'Go to Step 2'.

All sites should also show you a screen that lets you know what registering will mean for you. This screen will often be called 'Rights and Responsibilities' and you will be required to read it and agree with what it says before proceeding further.

At this point, most sites also ask for your permission before sending you any e-mail. Be sure to tick the box to decide whether or not you wish to receive e-mails from the site you are registering with and any affiliate sites.

Extra optional information may also be asked for. Always ask yourself why they want to know and what they will do with it. If in doubt, don't tell!

Your e-mail address

At some point during the registration process on most sites you will be asked for your e-mail address.

Make sure you type your address in carefully as the website will use it to send you an e-mail to activate your account, provide you with news, or even provide you with a new password.

Unless they ask your permission sites should not send any unwanted e-mail messages, or spam, to your e-mail address.

Enter your proper e-mail address because a fake or invalid e-mail address may prevent you from accessing your account.

Confirm your registration

Once you have submitted your e-mail address, many websites will send an e-mail to that address which you must reply to in order to validate your account.

When you receive this confirmation e-mail message you will either be asked to reply to it directly, or simply click a website link that appears in the e-mail message.

This confirmation link will often open a web page which announces that you are fully registered to the site and that your account is validated.