Staying Safe In
Cyberspace
By Chris Sweet
Decatur Public Library
Updated by Lesley Farmer
Did You Know?
There are 240 million Internet users in the US
(77% of the population)
Online sales totaled over $100 billion in 2008
1 in 4 households have been victims of ID theft
in the past 5 years.
33% of 13- to- 17-year-olds reported that their
parents or guardians know “very little” or
“nothing” about what they do on the Internet.
DO NOT
FEAR THE
INTERNET!
The Internet has tremendous
potential for learning and
entertainment.
It also has the potential to be a
dangerous place.
On the Internet, the good far
outweighs the bad.
We’re here to learn some of the ways
you can protect yourself on the
Internet.
Internet Safety is cumulative. There is NO
single thing you can do to completely protect
yourself on the Internet. There are multiple
components to staying safe. We will look at
all the major categories including:
Passwords and IDs
E-mail and Phishing
Cookies, Spyware, Viruses and Firewalls
Online Shopping and Banking
Children and Teens on the Net
Filtering and Monitoring
PASSWORDS
Writing STRONG passwords for all of
your accounts is the first step in
internet safety.
What is a “strong” password?
A strong password is one that cannot
be easily guessed or broken by
hackers.
Passwords
DO NOT use the same password for every
site. Each site that has access to your
financial information should have its own
unique password.
Change all your passwords at least once a
year.
Never, ever give out your passwords to
anyone.
Passwords
If you think someone has learned your
passwords, change them immediately.
Writing down your list of passwords is ok
as long as you keep that list safe (you can
write more complex passwords this way).
Avoid letting people observe you typing
your password.
Be sure to log out from any site that
requires a password to log in.
How to write a weak password!
How to write a strong password
DO NOT USE:
 Any part of your name - first, last, or
middle
 Your initials
 Your social security number
 Birthdays
 Phone numbers or addresses
 Words from the English dictionary
 Your username or login name
How to write a strong password
DO USE:
 Special characters (*!$+) mixed with
both letters and numbers
 Mixed upper- and lower-case letters
 Nonsense words that are easy to
pronounce but aren't in any dictionary
 At least eight or more characters
Usernames and ID names
As long as you have a strong password,
the username is not quite as important.
You can use real words for your
username, but it is still a good idea to
avoid using any part of your real name.
For the greatest security you can follow all
the rules for creating a strong password.
E-MAIL AND PHISHING
Did You Know?
One of the most common ways to get a virus is
through an e-mail that you open?
Or that victims of identity theft often send their
personal information straight to the criminals?
How do you prevent this?
E-mail Safety
NEVER open attachments from senders
you do not know! Contrary to popular
belief, it is ok to read all of your e-mails,
just beware of those attachments from
unknown senders!
Avoid sending personal information (social
security number, bank account numbers,
credit card information, etc.) in any emails.
E-mail Safety
Set up spam filters so that only messages
from people you know get into your inbox
(different with each e-mail service).
If you use a public computer, do not select
the feature that allows you to log on
automatically. People who use that
computer after you may be able to see
and use your screen name to log on.
Phishing
Phishing is an attempt to get you to disclose
personal sensitive information by fooling you
with fake e-mails. Phishers target consumers by
sending them e-mail messages from well-known
companies such as PayPal, eBay, Citibank, and
AOL that appear legitimate. These scam emails often tell you that you need to update your
account information, PIN number or password.
If you click on the links in the e-mail it will take
you to a site that is an exact replica of the
legitimate site EXCEPT that the web address is
slightly different.
Phishing
It is very easy to avoid phishing scams. If you
get an e-mail telling you to update your account
information simply DO NOT use the links
provided in the e-mail! Type the address of the
real site into your browser’s address bar, login,
and then determine if your information really
needs updating.
Learn to identify fake websites. The web
address will always be slightly different than the
correct one: for example www.001ebay.com
instead of www.ebay.com
Example: www.hotmail.com
Cookies, Spyware, Virsuses And
Firewalls
What are cookies?
Cookies are small bits of
data used by web servers
to help identify individual
web users. To simplify
things, a cookie can help
a website “remember”
you and show you a
customized page the next
time you visit it.
Cookies
How do you get rid of cookies? Go to the “Tools”
menu in Internet Explorer. Click on “Internet
Options.” In the middle of the box that pops up
click on “Delete Cookies”.
While you are on this screen it is also worthwhile
to click on the “Delete Files” button and put a
checkmark next to “Delete All Offline Content.”
This will remove additional temporary internet
files that you do not need.
(Demonstrate: www.google.com )
Spyware
Spyware is any technology that aids in
gathering information about a person without
their knowledge. Spyware is programming
that is put in someone's computer to secretly
gather information about the user and relay it
to advertisers or other interested parties.
Spyware can get in a computer as a software
virus or as the result of installing a new
program. Serious spyware programs can lead
to identity theft.
Spyware
Avoid installing spyware by:
1) Never clicking on a pop-up (these often lead
to sites that install spyware)
2) Don’t click on pop-ups that tell you that your
computer is infected with spyware (this is a
common scam to get you to install spyware)
3) Set your Internet Explorer security setting to
medium or higher. To do this click on “Tools”
then “Internet Options” then “Security”. The
slider on the left should be at medium or higher.
Spyware
There are a number of good free spyware
removal programs available:
The free Yahoo toolbar has a good
Spyware removal program and pop-up
blocker (in addition to other features).
Download here: http://toolbar.yahoo.com
Another good, free program is Spybot:
http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html
Spyware
Notes:
1) You must update these programs on a
regular basis to be protected from new
forms of spyware.
2) If you buy a software package from
McAfee, Norton, etc. you may also get
additional spyware protection.
VIRUSES
Viruses
What is a virus?
Computer viruses are self-replicating programs
which cannot exist without a host. A computer
virus passes from computer to computer like a
biological virus passes from person to person. A
computer virus must piggyback on top of some
other program or document in order to get
executed. Once it is running, it is then able to
infect other programs or documents. These
programs can be relatively harmless, or they can
completely crash your computer.
Viruses
How do you protect yourself from viruses?
As mentioned above, not opening e-mail
attachments from unknown senders is
your first line of defense.
There are three additional steps you
should take to avoid viruses: 1) Keep your
computer updated, 2) Use antivirus
software, 3) Use a firewall.
Updates
Viruses usually work by exploiting security
flaws in the software that you are running.
Software companies issue “patches” to fix
these flaws, but you must update your
system regularly to keep your computer
secure.
Updates video from Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/updat
e/video_update.mspx
Updates
Keeping your operating system (Windows
XP, 2000, etc.) updated is essential. Go to
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com to
download updates or turn on automatic
updates.
You should also keep your Microsoft Office
products up-to-date by going here:
http://office.microsoft.com/ and clicking on
“Check For Updates.”
Update other software as required.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is your first line of protection
against viruses that you can get over the
internet. Antivirus software is a class of program
that searches your hard drive and floppy disks
for any known or potential viruses.
There are quite a few antivirus companies out
there. Norton, McAfee, Panda, Trend Micro.
Norton and McAfee are the largest.
There is a free anti-virus called AVG and it is
available at http://free.grisoft.com/
Antivirus Software
Major antivirus software companies offer
frequent updates to keep your computer
safe against the most recent viruses.
You MUST pay a yearly subscription fee
and keep your antivirus software up-todate.
If you don’t, you are only protected against
old viruses and vulnerable to all new
viruses!
Firewall
A FIREWALL is a program that serves as a sort
of filter between your home computer and the
internet. If you have a fast connection (cable or
DSL) you probably want some sort of firewall. A
firewall can prevent hackers from gaining access
to your computer and files. A firewall generally
provides additional virus protection.
There is a free firewall called Zone Alarm
available from http://www.zonelabs.com Other
makers of firewalls include Norton and McAfee.
There is also a firewall included with Windows
XP.
Remember!
Getting a virus or finding spyware on your
computer is a common occurrence. The
majority of viruses and spyware are
relatively harmless. There are very few
viruses that can crash your entire system
and very few spyware programs that can
steal your personal information.
For More Info:
The June 2010 issue of Consumer
Reports has great information and
ratings on cyber security.
ONLINE SHOPPING &
ONLINE BANKING
Online shopping is a huge, growing
industry ($100 billion in 2005).
Why shop online?
24 hour convenience
Very easy to comparison shop
Better deals than retail stores
Larger selection than retail stores
Often no sales tax
Online Banking
All major banks and most smaller ones
offer online banking
Why bank online?
24 hour convenience
Up-to-date statements
Easy transfers
Pure online banks are often cheaper
Online Shopping & Banking
The easiest way to protect yourself when
shopping online is to only enter confidential
information (credit card numbers) on a secure
server. You know you are on a secure site
when this padlock symbol:
appears in the
lower right-hand corner of the screen. The
web address will also change from http to
httpS. (the “s” stands for secure).
(www.sears.com)
Online Shopping & Banking
As mentioned above, keep your browser
(Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) up-to-date.
Browsers use encryption to keep sensitive
information safe over the internet. Newer
versions often offer increased security.
Be wary of “sounds too good to be true”
offers on the internet. They probably are!
If you are required to give a credit card
number for a “free” prize, it probably isn’t.
Online Shopping & Banking
Read the fine print. You can often get
limited time free access to great sites, but
then get hit with a hefty monthly
subscription fee thereafter.
Always, always log out of your account
when finished.
If there is an option, don’t let the company
store your credit card information for next
time.
Online Shopping & Banking
Big name companies and banks (target.com,
walmart.com, amazon.com, citibank.com etc.)
are safe to do business with. Be more cautious
with smaller companies.
For smaller or unknown companies, check with
the Better Business Bureau Online:
http://www.bbbonline.org/
Use your credit card: under federal law (and
your credit card agreement) your liability for an
unauthorized charge is limited to $50.
YOUTH ON THE NET
“The Internet isn’t optional anymore- it’s
essential to our children’s futures.
Unplugging them is like throwing the baby
out with the bathwater. Our children need
to become Internet literate in order to hold
jobs, succeed in school, or attend college.
Denying them access is denying them the
tools they need to succeed.”
(Aftab, Parry. The Parent’s Guide to Protecting Your Children in Cyberspace. p.1)
Rules for Kids on Net
Never give out identifying information:
phone number, address, school name,
social security number, passwords, etc.
Use a false name or nickname
Never respond to messages that are
suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or
threatening. Just ignore them!!
Remember that people online may not be
who they seem!
Rules for Kids on Net
Tell an adult if you find anything on the
Internet that makes you uncomfortable.
Never agree to meet someone you meet
online unless a parent agrees to come
with you.
Use safe websites and safe search
engines (see handout).
Rules for Parents
Keep the computer in an open, visible area- not a
bedroom or office
Set daily Internet time limits. You may want to only allow
Internet use when a parent is at home.
Sign an Internet safety pledge:
http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/pledge.htm or
http://www.safekids.com/contract_kid.htm
(a very good idea to do this!).
Let children know that they will not be punished for
accidentally accessing inappropriate sites. Strongly
encourage them to always come to you if they find
something on the Internet that makes them
uncomfortable. Along these lines, don’t be too quick to
blame or threaten privileges. Kids can easily come
across inappropriate content by accident.
Rules for Parents
Don’t use the Internet as an electronic
babysitter!
Teach children not to accept anything for free
over the Internet: whether it is from a contest,
pop-up, e-mail or a “friend” they met online.
Use the Internet with your children. Learn about
the sites they like to use.
Depending on their age, you may want to
require children to give you their username and
password for their e-mail account
If your child knows more about the Internet than
you do, encourage them to teach you how to use
the sites they like.
FILTERING AND MONITORING
What is a filter?
An Internet filter is a software or
hardware product designed to prevent
access to inappropriate websites on the
internet. It does this by using lists of
unacceptable URLs, or by examining
individual websites for specific
keywords or unwanted content.
Filters
Filters are unreliable at best. NO filter will
block ALL inappropriate content on the
Internet. Also, ALL filters accidentally
block LEGITIMATE content.
If you really want to restrict access, the
best method is to use software that only
allows access to particular sites. You can
then add additional legitimate sites to the
list after you check them out approve
them.
Monitoring
Some filtering software also includes the ability
to monitor and review children’s Internet
activities as well as impose daily time limits.
A very basic monitor is included with the Internet
Explorer browser. If you click on the history icon
you can see a list of all the websites visited on
your computer in the last 20 days (default
setting). You can increase or decrease the
number of days if you prefer.
Note: Internet savvy users will know how to
delete the sites they’ve visited.
Demonstrate: www.google.com
Filtering and Monitoring
Consumer Reports recently ran a good
article comparing internet filtering software
(June 2010)
Also check out these websites for
additional reviews and information:
http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/
http://www.internet-filters.net/
CHATROOMS and
INSTANT MESSAGING
Did You Know?: In a survey of 1,000 U.S.
girls aged 13 to 18 thirty percent said
they've been sexually harassed in a
chatroom? Only 7% told their parents.
(Whitney Roban, Ph.D. The Net Effect: Girls and New Media)
Chatrooms & Instant Messaging
What is Chatting?
Internet Chat is a way for people to
communicate live with each other by
typing text messages which are seen
immediately by everyone present in the
online chat "room". It is a sociable activity,
and very popular with young people as a
way of meeting and talking to friends and
establishing relationships.
Chatrooms & Instant Messaging
What is Instant Messaging?
Instant Messaging (I.M.) software lets people
have live text conversations DIRECT between
individuals, rather than in a public Internet chat
room with lots of onlookers. The software also
allows you to transfer files between the
computers of online friends. It is a very popular
way to keep in touch with friends or workmates,
exchange news and gossip, etc. You can build
up a “buddy” list to make it easier to IM friends
who use the same software.
Chatrooms & Instant Messaging
Like e-mail, don’t respond to belligerent or
obscene messages.
Don’t add just anyone to your contacts
lists. Also, know how to block someone
whom you don’t want to receive messages
from.
Remember that viruses and spyware can
be transferred through IM. Be careful
opening files from people you don’t know.
Chatrooms & Instant Messaging
Learn the Lingo! Here are a few examples of
commonly used abbreviations:
LMK- Let Me Know
PIR- Parent in Room
P911- Parent Alert
PAW- Parents are Watching
LMIRL- Let’s Meet in Real Life
WYCM- Will You Call Me?
Find many, many, more at: :
http://www.netlingo.com/
Video
Tracking Someone online:
http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/reallife
.htm
DID YOU KNOW?
61% of 13 to 17 year olds have a personal
profile on sites such as Myspace,
Facebook, or Xanga; 14% have actually
met face-to-face with a person they had
known only though the Internet. (Teen Internet
Safety Survey. NCMEC and Cox Communications, 2006)
Almost all youth use social media at least monthly
(Computer World, 2009)
What is www.facebook.com?
Myspace.com, Friendster, Facebook, etc, are
all “social networking” websites. Essentially
they are places to meet new people and
express your personal identity. They are
hugely popular with teens and college
students. Www.facebook.com has over 500
million members and ranks as the most
popular site on the web!
Staying Safe on Facebook
Be very careful about the information you put into your
profile and the information in bulletins and comments
from friends. It all adds up!
Meeting someone you have only met online is very
dangerous! If you are set on meeting an online friend be
certain to bring one or more friends with you and set the
meeting in a public place.
Be wary of adding everyone who asks to your “Friends”
list. Remember that everyone who is on your friends list
can see more of your personal information.
Your safety depends on the sum total of all information
available about you on the Internet. Try Googling
yourself to see how much personal information you can
find.
Staying Safe on Facebook
Don’t lie about your age (You must be 13 or older to
have a Facebok profile)
Don’t post anything that you would be embarrassed
about later (bulletins, blogs, photos, etc.)
Add additional security and privacy to your MySpace
account by clicking on “Account Settings” and then on
“Privacy Settings.” You can make your profile available
only to friends and change other privacy settings.
Remember, you can get in trouble at school for things
you post on the Internet
Companies and colleges are now also searching
Facebook pages as part of the application process! Be
careful!
Conclusion
The Internet is and extremely valuable
resource and it is far safer than most
people believe. Don’t avoid the Internet
(or keep your kids off) just because of
fears about safety. There are many real
dangers, but the steps needed to stay safe
online are fairly simple.