INTERNET SAFETY

  INTERNET SAFETY 

 

1)      Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number.

2)      Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself.  Once you’ve put  a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.

 

3)      Keep your privacy settings as high as possible

4)      Never give out your passwords

5)      Don’t befriend people you don’t know

6)      Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online.  Speak to your parent or carer about people suggesting you do

7)      Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are

8)      Think carefully about what you say before you post something online

9)      Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else views doesn’t mean you need to be rude

10)   If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, turn off your computer if you want to and tell a trusted adult immediately.

 There are also many more types of safeties, For example;

Cyber bullying;

                Bullying is not something that only happens in the real world any more. In the past, bullying may have occurred at school, in the playground or at a youth club, now it can happen on mobile phones, over email, in chat-rooms, on social networks and other websites. Cyber bullying can happen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Cyber bullying is when one or more people try to tease, harass, threaten or embarrass another person using technology such as mobile phones or the Internet. 

 

Gaming; 

              Gaming has developed in leaps and bounds over the last few years. Now, many games consoles can access the internet, enabling users to keep up-to-date with the latest games, downloads and tips and tricks. Games can also be played online through a PC, laptop or mobile phone.

               

 Searching;

                    We all use search engines; for example Google, Yahoo or Ask, and if we want an answer to something, chances are we will search the internet for it. Our children are no different.While searching holds obvious benefits for children and young people – researching school projects for example – it also carries a risk of exposure to material that is inappropriate, potentially harmful or even illegal. 

 

Some other cautions can be like; 

• Do some searching yourself. Test a few ‘innocent’ words and see what comes up. This is a good way to check your computer settings and ensure inappropriate content is being filtered out.

• Talk to your child about being as accurate as possible when searching – the more words you use the more relevant the search results will be.

• Remind children that not all information held on the internet is reliable. You must not believe everything you read!

• Know the difference between ‘automated search results’ and ‘sponsored links’ which are results that are paid for. Search providers will differentiate between the two and it is important you can tell the difference.

• Take the time to get to know the search provider you and your children use. Have a look at their safety advice and research their filtering processes.

• Consider installing filtering software onto the computer to help protect your child from inappropriate / harmful content

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECURITY THREATS OF COMPUTERS 

 

 Types of security threats;

 Computer Virus Threats: 

                      Perhaps the most well known computer security threat, a computer virus is a program written to alter the way a computer operates, without the permission or knowledge of the user. A virus replicates and executes itself, usually doing damage to your computer in the process. Learn how to combat computer virus threats and stay safe online. 

 

 Spyware Threats: 

                      A serious computer security threat, spyware is any program that monitors your online activities or installs programs without your consent for profit or to capture personal information. We’ve amassed a wealth of knowledge that will help you combat spyware threats and stay safe online. 

Phishing Threats:

                           Masquerading as a trustworthy person or business, phishers attempt to steal sensitive financial or personal information through fraudulent email or instant messages. How can you tell the difference between a legitimate message and a phishing scam ? Educate yourself on the latest tricks and scams.  

 

Virus damage:

                               Some viruses delete files, reformat the hard disk or cause other damage. Others only replicate themselves and may present text, video, or audio messages. While they are not designed to do damage, even these viruses take up memory and may cause erratic behavior, system crashes and loss of data. 

 Keystroke Logging:

                        While keyloggers will not damage your computer system per see, because they can capture passwords, credit card numbers and other sensitive data, they should be regarded as a serious threat. 

 Adware:

             Adware is software which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. The adware runs either after a software program has been installed on a computer or while the application is being used. In some cases, adware is accepted by users in exchange for using software free-of-charge. Not all adware is innocuous, however. Some types of adware are also spyware and therefore a threat to privacy. 

Botnet:        

A Botnet (also called a “zombie army”) is a collection of software robots, or bots, that run automated tasks over the Internet. The term “botnet” is generally used to refer to a distributed network of compromised computers (called “zombie computers”). These “zombies” typically run programs such as worms, Trojan horses, or back doors. Botnets are frequently used to launch Distributed Denial-of-Service (D Dos) attacks against websites. Newer bots can automatically scan their environment and propagate themselves using vulnerabilities and weak passwords.

Experts estimate that as many as one in four personal computers connected to the Internet has become part of a botnet. Several botnets have been found and removed from the Internet such as a 1.5-million node botnet recently discovered by the Dutch police. 

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 DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

 

There are nine elements of digital citizenship.These are the following elements;

  

1.   Digital Access:   full electronic participation in society.
Technology users need to be aware that not everyone has the same opportunities when it comes to technology.  Working toward equal digital rights and supporting electronic access is the starting point of Digital Citizenship. Digital exclusion makes it difficult to grow as a society increasingly using these tools.

 2.   Digital Commerce:   electronic buying and selling of goods.
Technology users need to understand that a large share of market economy is being done electronically. Legitimate and legal exchanges are occurring, but the buyer or seller needs to be aware of the issues associated with it. The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys, clothing, cars, food, etc. has become commonplace to many users.

 3.   Digital Communication:   electronic exchange of information.
One of the significant changes within the digital revolution is a person’s ability to communicate with other people. In the 19th century, forms of communication were limited. In the 21st century, communication options have exploded to offer a wide variety of choices (e.g., e-mail, cellular phones, instant messaging).  The expanding digital communication options have changed everything because people are able to keep in constant communication with anyone else. 

  4.   Digital Literacy: electronic exchange of information.
While schools have made great progress in the area of technology infusion, much remains to be done. A renewed focus must be made on what technologies must be taught as well as how it should be used. New technologies are finding their way into the work place that are not being used in schools (e.g., Videoconferencing, online sharing spaces such as wikis). In addition, workers in many different occupations need immediate information (just-in-time information). This process requires sophisticated searching and processing skills (i.e., information literacy).

 5. Digital Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure.
Technology users often see this area as one of the most pressing problems when dealing with Digital Citizenship. We recognize inappropriate behavior when we see it, but before people use technology they do not learn digital etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct).   Many people feel uncomfortable talking to others about their digital etiquette.  Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is simply banned to stop inappropriate use.

 6.   Digital Law:   electronic responsibility for actions and deeds
Digital law deals with the ethics of technology within a society. Unethical use manifests itself in form of theft and/or crime. Ethical use manifests itself in the form of abiding by the laws of society. Users need to understand that stealing or causing damage to other people’s work, identity, or property online is a crime. There are certain rules of society that users need to be aware in a ethical society. 

 7.   Digital Rights & Responsibilities:   those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.
Just as in the American Constitution where there is a Bill of Rights, there is a basic set of rights extended to every digital citizen. Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free speech, etc. Basic digital rights must be addressed, discussed, and understood in the digital world.

8.   Digital Health & Wellness:   physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.
Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practices are issues that need to be addressed in a new technological world.  Beyond the physical issues are those of the psychological issues that are becoming more prevalent such as Internet addiction.  Users need to be taught that there are inherent dangers of technology. 

 9.   Digital Security (self-protection):   electronic precautions to guarantee safety.
In any society, there are individuals who steal, deface, or disrupt other people. The same is true for the digital community. It is not enough to trust other members in the community for our own safety. In our own homes, we put locks on our doors and fire alarms in our houses to provide some level of protection.

 

saybar safety

Cyber Safety

	What is cybersafety? Cybersafety is the safe and responsible use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). NetSafe's approach to cybersafety is founded on: Maintaining a positive approach about the many benefits brought by technologies Encouraging the public to identify the risks associated with ICT Putting in place strategies to minimise and manage risks Recognising the importance of effective teaching and learning programmes.