Keeping Your Children, your information and your equiptment safe

Internet Safety and You How to keep you, your children, your information, and your equipment safe. http://www.computerexplorers.com

Protecting Your Computer

Viruses

Trojan Horses

Worms

Spyware

Adware

Malware

What are they?

http://www.computerexplorers.com

Viruses

Virus – a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user

How do viruses spread?

makes copies of itself in a computer’s memory, storage or over a network

transferred on a floppy disk, CD/DVD, or USB storage device to another computer

sent via an e-mail message over the Internet

http:// www.computerexplorers.com

Trojan Horses

Trojan Horse - a program that installs malicious software while under the guise of doing something else.

How do Trojan Horses spread?

Does not spread by inserting its code into computer files

The malicious program has to be run by the recipient in order to install

What do Trojan Horses look like?

An image

A game

Weather alerting software

Worms

Worm - a self-replicating computer program.

How does a worm work?

Uses a network to send copies of itself to other computers on the network

May copy itself without a person executing the program

How is a worm different from a virus?

Does not need to attach itself to an existing program

Harms the network; viruses infect files on a computer

Protect Your Computer Install complete Anti-virus protection

What should my Anti-virus software do :

recognize current viruses, as well as older ones

effectively reverse the damage

update automatically

run smart or partial scans

Available Anti-virus Software COMPUTER EXPLORERS ® in no way endorses or warrants the purchase, download, or use of the listed software.

Software for purchase:

Norton AntiVirus ®

http://www.symantec.com

McAfee ®

http://www.mcafee.com

ZoneAlarm ®

http://www.zonealarm.com

CA ® Anti-virus

http://www.ca.com

Free downloads :

AVG Anti-virus

http://www.avg.com

avast! 4 Home Edition

http://www.avast.com

Avira AntiVir Personal Edition

http://www.free-av.com

Spyware

Spyware - programming that is put in someone's computer, without his/her knowledge, to gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties

How does Spyware work?

Gathers information about the user for marketing purposes

Delivers unwanted pop-up ads

Steals personal information

Can interfere with user control of the computer by:

Installing additional software

Redirecting web browser pages

Diverting advertising revenue to a third party

Adware

Adware - any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used

Adware Prevention Tips:

Avoid installing adware

Keep up-to-date with security patches and operating system updates from Windows Update

If using a version of Internet Explorer earlier than version 7, set the browser to prompt the user for ActiveX installation

Use an alternative Web browser (e.g. Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc.)

Install ad-blocking software

Malware

Malware

(Malicious Software) – any program or file that is harmful to a computer user

Malware includes:

Viruses

Trojan horses

worms

spyware

Symptoms of Malware :

Sluggish or choppy computer performance

An onslaught of unwanted pop-up ads

New and unfamiliar toolbars or toolbar icons

Repeated or sudden changes in your Web browser home page

Infested Computers http://www.computerexplorers.com Severe Case Mild Case

Prevention Tips

The best defense against spyware and other unwanted software is not to download it in the first place.

Use alternative Web browsers other than Internet Explorer. Other browsers include Netscape, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Safari (for Mac users).

Only download programs from Web sites you trust.

Read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements associated with any downloads.

Close unwanted pop-up windows by clicking the X in the right corner of the window. Never click “agree” or “OK” to close an unwanted window.

Be cautious about using "free" music and movie file-sharing programs, and be sure you clearly understand all of the software packaged with those programs.

Use spyware and adware removal software .

Available Spyware and Adware Products COMPUTER EXPLORERS ® in no way endorses or warrants the purchase, download, or use of the listed software.

Ad-Aware

( http://www.lavasoft.com )

Windows Defender ( http://www.microsoft.com/downloads )

Spybot Search & Destroy ( http://www.safer-networking.org )

Spyware Blaster ( http://www.javacoolsoftware.com )

Spyware Doctor ( http://www.pctools.com )

Many anti-virus companies are now creating security suites that include spyware and adware prevention. Those companies include:

Norton (Symantec)

McAfee

AVG

Important Note: Adware and spyware removers only detect and remove adware and spyware. These programs are not a replacement for anti-virus software.

Pop-up Blockers

Within Web browsers:

Windows Browsers

Internet Explorer : Tools  Pop-up blocker  Pop-up Blocker settings

Mozilla Firefox : Tools  Options  Content Tab

Opera : Tools

**Note** Most browsers block pop-up windows or ads by default.

Within free toolbars

Yahoo! Toolbar ( http://toolbar.yahoo.com )

Google Toolbar ( http://toolbar.google.com )

Firewalls

Available Personal Firewalls:

Windows firewall (free)

ZoneAlarm firewall (free or pay)

LavaSoft firewall (pay)

Look ‘n’ Stop firewall (free for 30 days then pay)

http://www.computerexplorers.com What’s a Firewall? A firewall is a hardware or software device configured to allow or deny data through a computer network with different trust levels.

How does a Firewall work?

Prevents network intrusions

Prevents hackers from accessing personal information stored on your computer

Protecting Your Information

Identity Theft

Fraudulent e-mail

Spoofing or Phishing

Intercepted e-mails or instant messages

Lurkers on discussion boards and chat rooms

Spam Mail

Tips for Preventing Spam

Opt-out of e-mail marketing messages when registering with a Website.

Use an alternative e-mail address when registering for services on various Websites. Free e-mail providers include Hotmail, Yahoo, GMail, and others.

Read the fine print. Be sure you know how your e-mail will be used when registering with a site.

Daily Spam Mail Statistics *

June 2005 – 30 billion

December 2006 – 85 billion

April 2008 – over 100 billion

*Source: IronPoint Systems, Inc. and www.spamunit.com

http://www.computerexplorers.com Spam – any message, regardless of its content, that is sent to multiple mailing lists, individuals or newsgroups. Also called bulk e-mail or junk e-mail.

Fraudulent E-Mail

Be suspicious of any e-mail that requests:

Credit card information

Complete home address

Banking information

Username or passwords

Social security number

http://www.computerexplorers.com Fraudulent e-mails are “spoofing” or “phishing” messages. Scammers use these methods to “fish” for consumer’s financial or other identifying information. These messages will create the impression the user has an urgent need to update his/her personal information.

Tips to Protect Against “Phishing”

Remember that e-mail headers can be forged

Avoid providing info or filling out forms via e-mail because the data is not secure

Avoid clicking links within an unsolicited e-mail message

Ensure a website is secure before providing any personal information. Check for an address that begins with http s or the browser has a lock icon in the address bar or bottom of the screen.

The Look of Fraudulent E-Mails http://www.computerexplorers.com Hovering over a link with the mouse cursor will reveal the real address the link will take you to. Don’t be fooled by the official looking header in this fraudulent e-mail.

General Safety Tips

Use spam filters.

Be suspicious of unsolicited e-mail.

Treat e-mail attachments with caution.

Don’t click links in e-mail messages.

Create strong passwords. Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.

Change passwords frequently.

Use a pseudonym when participating in public online forums, chat rooms, discussion boards, etc.

Don’t reveal username, passwords, or personal information to anyone other than a trusted party.

Install anti-virus software and keep it up to date.

Install a personal firewall and keep it up to date.

Install spyware/adware software and keep it up to date.

Protecting You or Your Children Filtering and Site blocking http://www.computerexplorers.com

PC Based Software

Cyber Patrol

Net Nanny

Cyber Sitter

Web Based Filters

Earthlink

Comcast

AOL

Qwest

Search Engine controls

Google

Yahoo!

Windows Live Search (formerly MSN)

Ask.com

What can you filter?

Pornography

Sexually explicit content

Violence, including gaming sites and bomb making

Online Social Situations

Chat rooms : a multi-user, simultaneous, real-time chat environment

MySpace : a social networking website that offers an interactive network of friends. The site includes personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, videos and music. Other social networking sites include FaceBook, Friendster, Meetup.com, Nexopia, Orkut, hi5, and Xanga

Instant Messaging (IM) : a form of real-time, text-typed communication between two computers or devices connected via a network. Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, Skype Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN, and ICQ are just a few of the messaging clients.

Blogs : or Web logs, are entries written in chronological order. Entries can be online diaries or commentaries on a specific topic. Blogs generally include text, hyperlinks, pictures, and now videos

Forums : a web application for holding discussions posted by users. Discussions generally pertain to a common topic. Forums are often referred to as discussion boards, message boards or web forums

Online games : video games played over a computer network. Online games can range from simple text-based games to games incorporating complex graphics and virtual worlds allowing for multiple players to play simultaneously.

Online Social Situations, cont. http://www.computerexplorers.com

Popular Social Sites for Teens and Pre-teens

Pre-teens (6-12)

Club Penguin

WebKinz

Whyville.net

Nicktropolis

Disney Xtreme Digital

Teens (13+)

MySpace

MyYearbook

Habbo Hotel

FaceBook

Live Journal

http://www.computerexplorers.com Please note, your children are fickle. What may be popular today may not be popular tomorrow. Keep an eye on their surfing and investigate any unknown sites.

Can you decipher these? FWIW, I thnk U R gr8t! Btw, ur BFF is a PITA OMG! LOL! Cul8r, H&K, ttyl http://www.computerexplorers.com

Internet Safety Study

Teens have an established presence on social networking sites:

61% of 13-17 year-olds have a profile on sites such as MySpace, Friendster, or Xanga

50% of those have posted pictures of themselves online

Older teens (16-17s) and girls especially use the Internet for social interaction, meeting friends, and networking

71% reported receiving messages online from someone they don’t know

45% have been asked for personal information by someone they don’t know

30% have considered meeting someone that they’ve only talk to online

14% have actually met a person face-to-face that they’ve only spoken to over the Internet

9% were 13-15 year-olds

22% were 16-17 year-olds

Of those receiving messages from someone they don’t know, 40% report they’ll usually reply and chat with that person

Only 18% said they’ll tell an adult

Data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Internet Safety Study

Perceptions of Safety:

20% of teens report that it is somewhat or very safe to share personal information on a public blog or networking site

37% of 13-17 year-olds said they are either “not very concerned” or “not at all concerned” about someone using information they’ve posted online in ways they don’t want

Do you know what your child is doing?:

33% of 13-17 year-olds report their parents or guardians know “very little” or “nothing” about what they do on the Internet

48% of 16-17 year-olds report their parents or guardians know “very little” or “nothing”

22% of teens surveyed report their parents of guardians have never discussed Internet safety with them

36% of teens, mostly girls and younger teens, have said their parents of guardians have talked to them “a lot” about online safety

70% have said their parents or guardians have discussed the subject with them during the past year

Data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Safety Tips for Parents or Guardians

Put the computer in a public area

Use tools available to make your job easier

Know where the children surf

Talk about Internet risks

Emphasize the Internet is a public place

Establish family rules for Internet use

Remember Three Tips

Keep Current

Try to keep up with the latest technologies or sites.

Keep Communicating

Be sure to communicate with your children and keep up with their online activities.

Keep Checking

Use the History feature on your Web browser to see where your children have been.

Safety Tips for Your Kids

Use a nickname that does not closely resemble your real name or reveal personal information.

Never reveal your real name, address, phone number, e-mail address, school, sports team, or favorite hang outs.

Refuse to meet someone you only know from online activities without a parent’s consent.

Always remember people online may not be who they say they are.

Tell a trusted adult if someone online threatens or does anything to make you feel uncomfortable.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Internet

Use the Internet to your advantage.

Don’t know what that Website is your child visits daily?

Don’t know that acronym or short hand in your child’s chat history?

Got an attachment you’re not sure about?

Use a Search Engine.

Look it up!

Contact Information Name: Phone: E-mail: www.computerexplorers.com www.computerexplorers.com/yourCEsite YOUR PHOTO HERE

Keeping Your Children, your information and your equiptment safe

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