Online Safety On The Internet

These are just a few common questions about Online Safety .

1. Your KIDS, KIDS, KIDS!

a. The Internet is a predators paradise, and a child's biggest enemy.

1. Stop trying to be your child's best friend and be a parent.

2. Always be there, over their shoulder, follow them on the internet, always watch where they are going.

· Ask them questions

· Be open and free, talk to them. Silence is your biggest enemy.

· Listen and watch for clues between them and their friends. Verbal changes in their rhetoric. Behavioral, mood changes. Mentioning "new" people.

· Use tracking software, to "see" where they are going to.

· Use blocking software for younger kids to be pre-emptive and control where they are going.

3. Know their PASSWORDS for MySpace, FaceBook, every message forum and blog, AOL, Yahoo & MSN messengers, E-Mail. There is no "privacy" in this matter, they are children.

b. Keep up with technology. Kids adapt to it a lot more easier and faster than adults do.

c. Communicate with other parents and the local law enforcement on any possible suspicions or anything & anyone you have experienced or witnessed on the internet.

2. Do not respond to SPAM E-Mails and IM's.

a. If you respond, they know it is a "live" account, and target you MORE.

b. Furthermore, they "sell" your screen name/E-Mail and again target you MORE.

c. After they verify if your account "is live & for real", many times they will try to get you to give them personal info, or money or anything of value to them. Sometimes it is an aggravating ad for Viagra and other off shore medications, other times it is a dangerous pinpointed effort to convince you it is PayPal or Chase bank which you might do business with, and surrender info to them. Trust me, they can be REALLY compelling and before you know it, you have been had.

d. The best thing is to DELETE any mail you don't know the origin of, or you doubt and have a bad feeling about. If curiosity always gets the best of you, as a rule of thumb, it is SAFE to read the SPAM mail, or IM's. It is UNSAFE to respond to them, or click on ANY links or pictures in them.

3. Do NOT trust "who" e-mails or IM's you, who they claim to "be".

a. Internet interaction is not the same as face to face personal interaction in "real life".

b. Never take someone's word "who they are & claim to be". Especially involving you giving information which might compromise your safety, a transaction etc.

c. If you get an E-Mail from someone claiming to be your bank, or credit card company, Ebay, Pay Pal etc… asking for your password, social security number or any other sensitive information, DO NOT GIVE IT! Play it safe and CALL the person E-Mailing you to verify it is legit. It is an industry practice, that virtually NO ONE that you will do business with, will ask for this information in an E-mail sent to YOU.

4. If it sounds too good to be true, it is!

a. Just like in real life, even more on the internet.

b. These scenarios:

1. Opportunities

2. "Help Me" please

3. Dating overtures (from the US or foreign countries)

4. "Places"

· Nigeria & Africa

· Russia & The Ukraine

· Asia

· Any 3^rd World Country

SOLUTION: Ignore them! It is staggering how many people per year get swindled of their savings, credit, and even their pride by one of these scams. Sometimes people even pay with their life. I can't stress enough, these people are professionals and are more convincing than you can imagine.

5. Is the Firewall in Windows XP enough to keep me safe? Do I REALLY need anti-virus and other software on my computer?

a. Something is better than nothing, but the firewall in Windows XP if severely weak, and actually sometimes can block legitimate sites.

b. Yes, you should ALWAYS be armed with the latest Anti-Virus, Spyware program and software Firewall program for maximum protection.

1. These are some points to learn about this software:

· You must keep the software updated to be effective. A handful of threats are created every day, so the programs need to be online and get updated to protect you.

· ALWAYS read the screen before you CLICK something. This includes web sites, or e-mails, instructions or your Anti-Virus, Spyware, Firewall program. People have a BAD habit of just clicking without reading, and that leads to more problems or not being protected at all.

· The software is not 100% effective in protection. Like stated above, your interaction is critical to stay safe.

2. If you can't get it done yourself, or do not feel comfortable, obtain a reliable trained technician to get you secure. It is cheaper in the long run to invest some money now, rather than lose a lot later, especially irreplaceable items like lost data, or theft of personal information due to hacking and a breach.

· For the people having the 14 year old kid next door which is a "Computer Pro" maintaining your computer and saving you money……. Ask yourself. Would you trust them with all your private e-mail passwords, work information, financial data like checking accounts or credit card numbers?

This is just a small selection of important things to think about and consider. If you have any tips, suggestions, or any questions because you are new at this, please visit our forum and participate or find your answer there!