List of Cyber Safety Issues
- Staying safe on the Internet will help to protect you.monitor with padlock image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
Despite seeming safe behind a computer screen, the Internet can actually be a dangerous place, loaded with lurking predators and individuals ready to steal your information illegally for their benefit. Individuals who do not practice safe Internet browsing by using anti-malware programs, avoiding personal information when chatting, posting in forums or even creating a screen name are at risk for identity theft, predator attacks or malware. - One of the most common cyber safety issues is identity theft. Unsuspecting individuals are susceptible to identity theft when divulging personal information to others. To avoid identity theft, don't use screen names or display names that give away, or even hint at, your real name, age, location and birth date. Never give out personal information like your email address, phone number or home address--not even a mailing address.
When shopping online, confirm that the website address begins with "https://" and not simply "http://." The "s," which stands for "secure," is important when protecting personal information. There should be a tiny padlock in the corner of the screen to show that the site is secure. Write down the vendor's details to contact that vendor if something goes wrong. Always check the site's exchange and return policy before purchasing, and always keep a receipt for your records.
Never send credit card or bank account information via email. Avoid falling for scams that claim you have won the lottery or have received a large inheritance. Checking accounts regularly and making strong passwords (alphanumeric with capital and lowercase letters) is another way to avoid identity theft. - Internet predators are individuals who prey on others via the Internet in an effort to meet in person, with the ultimate goal to cause physical harm or engage in sexual acts with others, especially children and teenagers. Internet predators hide behind the Internet to protect their true identity because they are usually aware that what they are doing is wrong. Predators often lie about their age, location and appearance to lure unsuspecting individuals into their scheme.
Keeping yourself and your children safe from Internet predators could be as simple as keeping personal information private, monitoring your child's activities online and educating them on possible risks. Never reveal your age, location, full name, email address or phone number. Avoid sending intimate pictures of yourself to strangers, and never chat with someone whom you do not know via web cam . If you ever feel pressured online, block the individual and log off. - The word "malware" is short for malicious software, a category that includes viruses and spyware. Viruses can reduce a computer to a paperweight within a matter of days or even hours. Spyware is designed to keep record of what you do on your computer, including websites you visit and more important information like credit card numbers and bank account information. Individuals use this information for illegal purposes like gaining access to your accounts.
To avoid malware infection, always have a firewall running on your computer, along with an anti-virus and anti-spyware program. Free programs are better than none, but subscriptions and purchased software are generally better at detecting a larger number of viruses. Check for viruses and spyware at least once weekly, and always install updates for these programs to detect new viruses and spyware.
