USA: Safety and Security Online begins at home
The internet as we see it today has given us wonderful benefits, the way we learn, communicate, learn, shop and are entertained. But with anything else that gives us so much, there are those that would look to use it for criminal purposes. As we continue to learn how to protect ourselves from strangers and thieves in the physical world we can do the same in the online world. There are 3 important things that we have to remember in order to stay safe online. First: We need to get and keep our computer systems secure and up to date. Criminals will take advantage of computers that do not have security software installed such as firewalls, anti-virus, spy ware and privacy protection programs. Also most computer operating systems and programs require "bugs" to be fixed by updating software. These are called security "patches." These patches as well as the updates for anti-virus, spyware etc. can all be set to do an automatic update. This means whenever you are logged in they will check for updates and install them protecting your computer. Second: It is also very important to be careful what web sites you visit, what you may download and what attachments you open. Many criminals depend on the fact that they can trick you into giving out personal information, installing hidden programs on your computer and stealing it or sending you to web sites that are fake but look like the real web site. To protect yourself from this, be very careful what web sites you go to, use sites like www.trustwatch.com to check web sites. Do not open attachments even if they come from someone you know unless you are expecting them. Even then contact that person to make sure that they really sent it to you.
Third: Blogging (such as we all are doing here!) is a great way to communicate, and learn really interesting things about other people. We need to make sure that we do not give personal information that would provide criminals with so much information that they can take advantage of you, your family or friends. One way criminals take advantage of people is to collect information on you and use that to make you believe that they are someone that is a friend or someone you can trust. This type of activity is known as "Social Engineering" Have a parent or other trusted adult review the blog, it is not only a safety issue it is a fun way to share strories with family. As a parent or techer, it is very important to talk with the children and make sure they understand the boundries on what is safe to blog and what may not be. Also to ALWAYS understand that if someone makes them uncomfortable online, to report it to a parent or teacher just like we would in the physical world.
The internet is such a great technology and it will become more and more a part of our lives, learning and following some simple rules about safety and security will insure that the good parts of the internet will be far better then the bad parts of it. Online computing can be fun, enjoyable and safe but the safety begins at home.
Comments
"...it is very important to talk with the children and make sure they understand the boundries on what is safe to blog and what may not be ..."
right! Very important!!
Posted by: Mag | February 7, 2006 06:54 PM
We agreed 100%
Our society is exposed to a growing phenomenon of insecurity and lack of moral values, where the unrestricted access to child pornographic or pseudo-pornographic material in Internet during this last decade, has posed additional challenges to the problem. Child pornography, sexual tourism and minor’s abuse have become a genuine preoccupation. There are thousands of websites offering child pornographic or pseudo-pornographic material and all types of minors´ sexual services, which indicate a clear need of a thorough and complete analysis of the problem and a political appeal in search of solutions.
There are many issues to be taken care of, as apart from the application of new laws all over the world (there is no Argentine legislation), there are still very few specialists on technical investigation of this type of crime.
Consequently, it is necessary to join efforts to collaborate with global action against minor’s abuse, improving legislation, expanding knowledge and resources, improving communication among officials drafting policies and those who are in charge of applying the law.
If we work together as defenders and professionals (with political willingness), we will be able to improve our capacity of protecting victims and act against those who take advantage of children. To acquire this goal, it will be necessary to:
• Develop police structures dedicated to the obtention of proof to inform on the methodology and people responsible for the crimes, understanding the challenge of recognizing the failures of the present hierarquicaly conventional national police structures.
• Facilitate operating cooperation among security forces (national and international) and the non governmental organizations (ONG).
• Facilitating the cooperation for the legislative harmonization and that of the procedures of the legal structure at international level.
Bernie Lajmanovich
Information Security Association from Buenos Aires Argentina
Keep in touch !!!!!
Posted by: Bernie Lajmanovich | February 8, 2006 03:30 PM