Internet+Safety

toc

=How the Internet Works=

The Internet is a worldwide collection of computer networks. For many of us, the Internet is probably the greatest place to hang out. Not only because it is fun, it also allows you keep in touch with friends, family members and it provides an enormous amount of information. Throughout the Internet, you can conduct research, obtain everyday information related to news, business and entertainment, send and receive emails, participate in online discussion, join chatrooms, shop for items on commercial sites and publish information for others to see and access diverse perspectives from all over the world. The Internet works like the real world. There are places like libraries, universities, museums and places to entertain, to meet people around the world in diverse cultural background. Websites give you the opportunity to read news, search for information, look at images, shop online as well as play games. There are million of websites in just about any topic. However, just like any other communities, there are also some people and places that you must approach with caution. By identifying the existing dangers and knowing how to avoid them, you can take advantage of the benefits of the Internet while avoiding most of its negative aspects.

Being online simply means being connected to the Internet. Connection to the Internet is provided by subscribing to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The company gives you a telephone or cable connection to the Internet, often known as the World Wide Web. It is a network of computers which connects people and information around the world.
 * What does "being online" mean?**

=How to Stay Safe=

The only way to stay safe on the Internet is to identify the dangers and follow the simple rules which may help you stay out of trouble. By following the rules you could minimize the risks.

It is important to be aware of the Internet's dangers, as well as secure your computer from numerous attacks and threats such as viruses, spywares and hackers. A small investment of time and effort could minimize the risk of being attacked by hackers. There are many security software programs available for free to home users.
 * Computer Security:**

There are many anti-virus applications available on the Internet for free download. Most will do a good job of keeping your computer free of viruses. However, it is important that you make sure your anti-virus software is up to date so that your computer is protected against the most recent viruses.
 * Anti-virus Software:**

A firewall is a software or a hardware that prevents unauthorized internet traffic from accessing your computer. A firewall helps to block all communications from unauthorized sources. No matter what type of Internet connection you are using, a firewall should definitely be used at all times. The Windows XP Service Pack 2 has a built-in firewall. However, it is recommended that you install a more advanced firewall for additional security.
 * Firewall:**

Spyware is a broad class of malicious software that present Internet users with a variety risks, including privacy invasions, online theft and reduced computer performance. Installed on your system without your consent, Spyware software monitors or controls your computer use. It may be used to send you pop up ads, redirect your computer to websites, monitor your Internet surfing, or record your keystrokes, which in turn could lead to identity theft. Like antivirus software, you must be sure to regularly download the latest updates to your system so that your anti-spyware software can protect your system from a variety of risks.
 * Spyware Scanners:**

Hackers regularly try to find weaknesses in operating systems and Web browsers. Therefore, it is important to keep your system and browser up to date. Operating system such as Windows, can check for updates automatically.
 * System and Browser Updates:**

Always keep a backup copy of your important files and applications.
 * Backup Software:**

You should never give your password to someone you do not know and who is not authorized to use the password. Your passwords should never be single words found in the dictionary, but should be constructed with a combination of words, letters and numbers. These passwords are called strong passwords. They are very difficult for hackers to decipher.
 * Passwords:**

Pull down Tools menu, select Internet Options. Under Temporary Internet Files, click on "Delete Files". Under History click "Clear History".
 * Clear Your History:
 * You may clear your Internet history or empty your cache file after your online activities.
 * Internet Explorer:**
 * Netscape:
 * Pull down Edit menu, select Preferences. Click on Navigator and choose "Clear History". Then click Advanced, select Cache. Click "Clear Disk Cache".

=Concerns of the Internet=


 * Internet Fraud:
 * Internet fraud is one of the most common and fastest growing cyber crimes. The scam that used to be conducted by telephone and mails now appears on the Internet. Moreover, the sometimes anonymous and global nature of the Internet makes it difficult for legal officials to enforce laws across a worldwide scale. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that many legitimate companies sell their products and services through the Internet. Also, many legitimate charities use the Internet to collect donations. Fraud should not be an excuse to avoid using the Internet, but it should make users more aware of whom they are dealing with online.

There are several major types of Internet fraud: · Auctions and retail schemes, online auctions being the number one avenue for Internet fraud · Business opportunity/"work-at-home" schemes · Identity theft and fraud · Investment schemes · Credit card offers · Credit repair · Vacation prize promotions · Nigerian money offers – This scheme involves someone claiming to be a Nigerian official, who promises big profits in exchange for help moving large sums of money out of their country · Advance fee loans · Internet access services · Health and diet scams · Free goods, like long distance phone cards, computers, electronics, etc.


 * Identity Theft
 * Some of the most common crime on the Internet occurs when criminals try to obtain information about you. Sometimes without you even realizing that it is happening. Many websites collect all kinds of information about you. Therefore, you should always be careful when providing information about yourself on the Internet, especially if a website is asking for sensitive information such as your Social Insurance Number, your credit card number or your home address and telephone number. Very often, websites collect information for legitimate reasons such as providing you a service or a product. Other times, websites may try to use the information you give them to take advantage of you or to make money by selling these information to other companies. More seriously, commit crimes under your name. You should always read the privacy policies of websites you visit to see what they will do with the information they collect from you. Identity theft happens when a person or a company collects sensitive information about you to pose as you online or in other situations. Sometimes this can be as simple as using your credit card information without your authorization. In general, be aware but do not be paranoid. The best defence against identity theft is awareness.


 * What is "phishing"?
 * You have probably heard the term "phishing". It is also called "carding" or "spoofing". "phishing" is an activity known as a high tech scam in which identity thieves pose as legitimate business or service professionals to obtain your personal information. Then they use your information to commit crimes under your name. Most often, these activities come in the forms of email or pop-up windows which ask you to validate or update your personal information. This information could be used to transfer money between bank accounts, make payments or commit other crimes. Another type of scam is known as email scam in which emails are used to carry worms or viruses that can harm your computer system. They look legitimate, and they direct you to professional looking websites that seem to be created by organizations which you trust. Therefore, never reply to such emails or click on any of the pop up windows. When you are unsure about the situation, always contact the company by phone or simply ignore the message.

=General Safety Tips=


 * Never give out your personal information on the Internet. This includes name, phone number, address, credit card numbers, your home address etc.
 * Always use a nickname in chatrooms or instant messaging conversations. Do not reveal your real identity.
 * Always create passwords that are hard to guess but easy to remember. Never reveal it to anyone else.
 * Never respond to any message that makes you feel uncomfortable.
 * Avoid sending rude or insulting messages to anyone on the Internet.
 * Never disable the filtering software such as firewall or anti-virus on your system.
 * Beware of dangerous downloads that might contain virus or spywares.
 * Never open emails or files from anyone you don't know. Always scan the files using anti-virus software.
 * Think twice when providing information to unfamiliar commercial websites.
 * Guard your personal information, always pay with credit card when shopping online.

=Guidelines for Parents=


 * Place the computer in a common area of the house rather than a bedroom. This encourages online time to be family oriented activity.
 * Become familiar with the people and websites your children are interacting with on the Internet.
 * Choose a family oriented Internet Service Provider and use Parental Controls to regulate the type of information your children can get access to on the Internet. Most of the Parental Control software allow adults to restrict access to age appropriate levels.
 * Try to select appropriate online names for your children. These names should not be too specific or identify them in detail.
 * Remind your children not to provide their real name, telephone number, home address and other related personal information to anyone they meet online, and never to meet face to face with anyone they met on the Internet.
 * Set reasonable guidelines for your children's time online. The guidelines should be age appriate, since what is acceptable for a teenager may not be acceptable for a younger child.
 * Assure your children that they can talk with you about things happen on the Internet. If they fear that they will lose their Internet access, they may be unwilling to talk about anything bad that happened on the Internet.
 * Remind your children that the rules are the same for any computer they use, whether at home, at friends' house, school or any public places.

=Guidelines for Teenagers=


 * Never give out your personal information, your real name, home address or telephone number or any other personal information about your family.
 * Be careful when in chatrooms. Do not get involved in fights or use offensive language.
 * If you are in a chatroom and someone makes you feel uncomfortable, or attemps to start a fight with you, or use offensive language, leave the room immediately.
 * Ignore offensive messages. Reply to these messages could only cause the sender to continue sending such messages.
 * Beware of free offers of products or services. They may be scams.
 * Beware of email from people you do not trust or emails from strangers. It may contain a virus designed to damage your computer or send your keystrokes back to the sender.
 * Never send your picture to someone you do not trust.
 * Be careful when joining mailing lists, some may make your personal information public. Do not provide an address or phone number.

=**Top Cyber Security Practices**=


 * Protect your personal information.
 * Know who you are dealing with online.
 * Use anti-virus software, a firewall, and anti-spyware software to help keep your computer safe and secure.
 * Be sure to set up your operating system and Web browser software properly, and update them regularly.
 * Use strong passwords or strong authentication technology to help protect your personal information.
 * Back up important files.
 * Learn what to do if something goes wrong.
 * Protect your children online.

=**Other Related Information**=

The top Internet-related fraud complaints include:
 * Identity theft
 * Internet auctions
 * Shop-at-home/catalog sales
 * Internet services and computer complaints
 * Foreign money offers

Government Websites: Non-governmental Websites
 * More information about Internet fraud:
 * [|U.S. Department of Justice]
 * [|Internet Fraud Complaint Center]
 * [|Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation]
 * [|Securities and Exchange Commission]
 * [|American Association of Retired Persons]
 * [|Better Business Bureau]
 * [|Internet Fraud Watch]
 * [|Internet ScamBusters]
 * [|National Cyber Security Alliance]

=Online Safety External Links A-Z=

Here are some links to other sites of useful information. Use these resources to help protect yourself and your family online.

[|Cell (mobile) phone safety] Safety for mobile phones, regardless of whether they have Internet capability or not. [|Chat rooms] Staying safe when chatting online, including information about IRC (Internet Relay Chat) [|Downloading music safety] What the law says and how to disable P2P technology on your computer. [|E-mail safety?252?]How to deal with and protect yourself and your computer against spam, phishing, spoofing, scams and chain letters. [|Hacking] What is hacking and what do you do when your computer has been hacked? [|Identity theft] How safe is your personal data? [|Instant messaging safety] How to get the best from your Instant messenger and chat safely [|Online dating] How to have fun but be aware fo the dangers and stay safe. [|Online discussion safety] Safety tips for using forums, bulletin boards and newsgroups. [|Online shopping and auctions] Advice on safe online financial transactions. [|Phishing] What phishing is and how to recognize a phishing attempt. [|Scams and fraud] How to recognize online scams, fraud, hoaxes, rumors and urban legends and what you can do about them. [|Spam] What the law says, deal with and protect your computer against spyware. [|Spoofing] What spoofing is and how to recognize a spoofed e-mail. [|Spyware (Adware and Malware)] How to detect, deal with and protect your computer against spyware. [|Text messaging (SMS) safety] All about sending text messages and how to understand text lingo. [|Viruses] How to detect, deal with and protect your computer against viruses. [|Web site safety] How to build a safer Web page or Web site.

=See Also=

Child Online Safety Computer Crime Cookies Cyber-Bullying Cyber Ethics Endangered Web Firewall Hacking Identity in Cyberspace Online Dating Online Gambling Online Shopping Phishing (1) Phishing (2) Privacy Invasions Sex on the Web Spam Spyware Trojan Horse Virus

=Bibiolography=

Unknown Author. "__Quinsigamond Community College."__ //Quinsigamond// //Community College 2005// Feb 18, 2006. <[|http://www.qcc.mass.edu]>.

Unknown Author. "__Internet Safety Awareness__." //Library 2006 //Feb 18, 2006. .

Unknown Author. "__Teen Safety on the Information Highway__." //Online Safety Project 2006 //Feb 19, 2006. .

Marcy Zitz. "Internet Safety 101 Introduction." //Family Internet 2006// Feb 20, 2006. .

Unknown Author. "Wired Safety." //Wired Kids Inc. 2004 //Feb 21, 2006. .

Unknown Author. "Internet Fraud." //Carnegie Mellon University 2006 //Feb 22, 2006. .

Unknown Author. "Internet Fraud, Privacy and Safety." //Naperville Public Library 2005 //Feb 22, 2006. .

Unknown Author. "Identity Theft and Fraud." //Safer Child Inc, 2005 //Feb 23, 2006. .

Unknown Author. "Internet Fraud Information." //US Government, 2006 //Feb 24, 2006. .

Unknown Author. "Internet Safety Tips." //Cook Country Sheriff Police Department 2006 //Feb 26, 2006. .

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