 Refers to the protection of Data,
Programs, and Information stored on disks, networks, hard drives, etc.
 Includes the issues of:
– Privacy
– Ethics
– Loss Prevention

The Snappy Screen Saver
Download and install a screensaver. BUT your computer stops working afterwards.
Surfing the Net
Download “free” software from the Web.
But you are later named in a law suit for distributing student data.

(Viruses, Trojans, Unwanted Access)
 Only install necessary and trusted software.
 Beware of *free* games, screen savers, and graphics.
 Run and UPDATE anti-virus software!!
 Keep a hard copy of the copyright release for all “free” products!

Virus Growth
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
1988 1990 1993
 1988: Less than 10 known viruses


1990: New virus found every day
1993: 10-30 new viruses per week
 2000 and beyond: 45,000 viruses and variants
Source: McAfee
1999

 Viruses
 Trojan Horses
 Worms
 Logic Bomb
 Trapdoors





Restrict Incoming and Outgoing Information
Provides you with control over your system.
Physical Firewalls v. Software-based Firewalls
Zone Alarm: http://www.zonealarm.com
–
VERY Effective
– Easy to Use
– Blocks Incoming/Outgoing
 http://www.svsu.edu/support/?doc_id=2289

Hard Drive Replaced...erased all of your data. No Back-ups are available.
Laptop is stolen.
No Backups are available.
Unprotected confidential information.

(File Management, Lost Information, Lost Equipment)
 Try not to advertise secure spots.
 Minimize external access:
– Maintain appropriate locks
– Additional security features if necessary

Keep a “safe” climate
– Fix the temp. between 50-80F

 Protect cables, wires, etc. from feet!
 Lock laptops when not in use.
 Use a log in for general Windows use.
 Keep drinks and food away from equipment!

 MAKE BACK-Ups!!!!!!!
– Store on a separate disk!
– Keep the disk in a separate location!
– Keep a hard copy of critical information.
– Pay attention to where you are saving documents.
– Clearly label disks and files.
– Keep all magnets away from equipment.

(Protecting sensitive information)
 Encoding information
– Like a Secret Code Ring
– or like Pig Latin
 *Most* common applications offer password protection.
 Confidential (not critical)---USE ENCRYPTION!!!!
 NEVER send HIGHLY SENSITIVE information through email. (email should *never* be considered secure!)

Without the proper keys...
the message is unreadable.

1.
2.
3.
4.
Do not post or store your password near your computer.
Require passwords to be at least 8 characters long.
Use non-alpha characters and capital letters.
Boiler*makeR Iam@1016 KaTis15 Ge+>Smar+
Do not use easy to guess selections.
password 123456 computer hello love

6.
7.
5.
8.
9.
10.
Use non-personal selections.
Avoid: name, spouse’s name, kids, ss#
Maintain zero tolerance for password sharing.
Warn users not to type their passwords when someone is watching.
Urge users to change passwords. (2-3 weeks!)
Always remember to log out!
Constantly reinforce the importance of password security.

 E-mail is similar to a postcard.
 E-mail is *not* secure —nor is it private.
 Encryption is the only way to help in preventing others from reading your e-mail.

 Question Unsolicited Documents.
 Use attachments only when necessary.
 Question ALL executable programs received via email. These are files that end in .exe
 Notify the sender of infected emails!
 Pay attention to file extensions...

Resource: http://www.matisse.net/files/formats.html
Extension Type
.html .htm
Webpage
.doc
.gif .jpg
.exe
Word Document
Graphic
Program —self extracting (*caution!)

Finding File
Extensions in
Windows-based machines:
1. Click on START.
2. Select SETTINGS
3. Select CONTROL
PANEL
4. Select FOLDER
OPTIONS
5. Select VIEW
Make sure that this box is *not* checked.


Internet “Junk” Mail
 Unsolicited email —usually sent to many people
 According to the Gartner Group, a research firm, about 90% of email users receive spam.

 Costs Money.
– Recipient of the advertisement pays for the connection time, disk space, bandwidth, etc.
 Lost Productivity.
– Time, Time, Time
 Clogged Email.
– May be prevent receipt of important messages.
 Discourages Internet Use.
– May discourage others from seeing the benefits of the
WWW.

 Chain Letters:
– A message that urges readers to pass the letter on in order to receive a reward.
 Hoaxes:
– Chain letter that is based upon a fictitious scenario or circumstance.
 Urban Legends:
– Email messages providing “safety” messages or warnings.
 http://urbanlegends.about.com/


Use a “dummy” account for online promotions, games, etc.
 Request that your information be removed from
Internet “white pages”.
 Be sure to HIDE your information when joining a listserv or mailing list.
 Cut and Paste funny stories, poems, etc. rather than just forwarding them.
– Encourage others to do the same!

 http://www.junkbusters.com

 Supplement to overall AUPs
 Details expectations of the students
 Opens dialogue on information security issues
 Protects the teacher---responsibility is placed upon the choices made by students

 Guide students on the Internet---keep them on track and task orientated.
 ALWAYS supervise students using the
WWW!


Remember that a filter cannot be 100% secure
Beware of “FREEBIE” offers!
 Never open attachments that you do not expect OR that are from someone you do not know!
 Update your anti-virus software frequently!

 Google
 Yahoo
 Lycos
 AltaVista
 Dogpile (meta search engine)

Kid-Friendly Search Engines
 Yahooligans
 KidsClick
 Ask Jeeves for Kids
 Awesome Library
 Supersnooper
 Searchopolis

Online Methods of Collecting Personal
Information:
 Direct Data Collection: online users voluntarily complete surveys or information requests in exchange for a benefit.
 Indirect Data Collection: Web site owners obtain information by depositing “cookies” onto your hard drive. These cookies are small files that could include any of the following: name of your ISP, the
“specs” of your machine, passwords, past online purchases, last site visited, areas viewed on current site, etc.



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Notice: consumers have the right to be notified that data are being collected, how the data will be used, and to whom it will be disclosed.
Choice: consumers should be able to limit the use of information beyond what is needed to complete the transaction
Access: consumers should have a timely and inexpensive way to view data gathered about them and contest its accuracy
Security: organizations that gather data from consumers must reasonably ensure that the information they keep is secure against loss of unauthorized use
Enforcement: effective enforcement against privacy violators is critical to the protection of personal information

 FERPA:
– Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (1974) requires that educators demonstrate “due diligence” in protecting student data, information, records, and other sensitive information.
– Teachers can be personally held liable for failing to maintain the integrity of such data.

 COPPA:
– Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (1998) requires that commercial Web sites targeted at children under the age of 13 must follow a detailed series of procedures (including obtaining parental permission and review) prior to gathering data.
– In a school setting, teacher may grant such permission for educational purposes.

Practical Privacy Techniques for
Teachers:
3.
4.
1.
2.
5.
1.
Practice Proper Information
Security Techniques
E-Mail Awareness
Download Precautions
Close the Cookie Jar
Read Privacy Statements
Set up a Second Online Account

 As technology is introduced into schools, it is critical to combine the technical skills with the soft (ethical) skills surrounding the media.
 Attention needs to given to both teachers and students upon this topic.
 Teachers must practice privacy techniques daily---to protect the information and serve as a positive role model.