Can You ‘Cyber’ Safely?

Why do I need to know?

Internet Safety is a hot topic with: TV (Dateline’s “To Catch a

Predator” series) Newspapers and magazines School staff and Administrators Parents

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Information Abounds Accelerates learning like never before

Social Networking Good for the most part…but not

always with the best intentions

The Predators, Viruses, Worms and Information Thieves

Always lurking

The Good…

Collection of millions of pages of information If you can’t find it on the Internet…

It probably doesn’t exist!

It can help you do your homeworkFind out what movies are showing at your local theater Find out how your favorite team is doingShopping…pay bills…

Social Networking

A new social structure ‘Research has shown that social networks

operate on many levels, from families up to the level of nations, and play a critical role in determining the way problems are solved, organizations are run, and the degree to which individuals succeed in achieving their goals.’ -Wikipedia

Social Networking

Achieve a goalShare ContentMake good business contactsMeet Face-to-Face

Statistics63 million U.S. students between the ages of 2-17 are online today. ** 53% of students like being alone when “surfing” the Internet.*41% of students do NOT share with their parents what they do and where they go on the Internet.*31% of students feel it is easier to talk to people on the Internet than in real life.* 24% of students say they see nothing wrong with chatting with a stranger.*10% of students have been asked by a stranger to meet somewhere face to face.*

* i-SAFE America Student Assessments** Nielsen/NetRatings 2004

The Bad…

Cyberbullying Sending or posting harmful or cruel

messages or images Breaking into an e-mail account and

sending vicious or embarrassing material

Use of IM to trick someone to give private information and passing it on

The Ugly…

On-line predatorsViruses, Worms, Trojan HorsesInformation Thieves Data mining Phishing SpyWare

So…can you Cyber Safely?

Absolutely!If you take the necessary precautions…

And FOLLOW THE RULES!

Internet Safety RulesInternet Safety Rules(These rules were taken from SafeKids.Com)

1.1. DO not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ permission.

2. 2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.

3.3. I will never agree to get together with someone I “meet” online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along.

4. 4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.

5. 5. I will not respond to messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away.

6. 6. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online, and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

7. 7. I will not give out my Internet password to anyone (even my best friends) other than my parents.

8. 8. I will check with my parents before downloading or installing software or doing anything that could possibly hurt our computer or jeopardize my family’s privacy.

9. 9. I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

10. 10. I will help my parents understand how to have fun and learn things online and teach them things about the Internet, computers and other technology.

That’s it for the Rules…That’s it for the Rules…

but take a look at the but take a look at the list that’s next to find out list that’s next to find out more…more…

Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use

http://www.csriu.org

http://www.safekids.comhttp://www.safeteens.comhttp://www.isafe.orghttp://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety2.htm http://www.NetSmartz.org

Useful Web Sites

Information on Viruses, Worms and Malware:http://www.sarc.com http://www.mcafee.com

More Useful Web Sites

and finally…

Software Companies:http://www.lavasoftusa.com (AdAware)http://www.webroot.com (Spysweeper)http://www.pctools.com (SpyWare Doctor)http://www.veri-sign.com (sells SSL secure sites)