Internet Security for Your Kids and You

The earlier you learn about internet security, the more quickly it will become second nature. Safety needs to be a standard consideration when using the internet. It doesn’t need to be difficult, but it can save money, heartache, and even lives. Teaching your kids about internet security can improve their safety and their quality of life.

Most of the good internet service providers like Optimum Internet offer unlimited internet with complete protection so your data stays safe. However, if you are opting for any other internet, you need to proceed with caution.

According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, 5% of students in one study had been victims of sextortion, “the threatened dissemination of explicit, intimate, or embarrassing images of a sexual nature without consent, usually for the purpose of procuring additional images, sexual acts, money, or something else.”

Criminals may also target children to gain access to their parents’ confidential information or that of other adults in the household. So don’t consider yourself secure unless everyone in your circle is as security aware as you are.

The best way to improve security is through education; for you and your kids. So, here are 8 things to know and to make sure your kids understand.

Use Anti-Virus Software / a Firewall

Anti-virus software monitors your files and alerts you if it finds a potential threat. Viruses can be minor inconveniences or they can completely take control of your computer. They can help criminals steal data and hold your device to ransom. And they may go unnoticed without antivirus software installed.

A firewall monitors every bit of data that attempts to enter or leave your network. Alongside your anti-virus software, this line of defense should help prevent security breaches and the loss of confidential data.

Use Strong Passwords

We have so many passwords and usernames to remember that it can be tempting to go for something simple. The names of loved ones, dates of birth, sports teams, consecutive numbers, and the word “password” are among the most obvious passwords and easiest to crack. This can spell trouble for your internet security.

A strong password includes at least one number, a symbol, and a capital letter. A nonsensical word or phrase will be harder to crack than words you could actually find in a dictionary.

To help remember complex passwords, you could use a password in which each letter represents the first letter of a phrase that is familiar to you. Alternatively, a password manager app can help you create and use very strong passwords, all secured by one master password.

Understand Personally Identifiable Information

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) can be used to remove your anonymity and identify you. This is among the kind of information that criminals online seek to exploit. PII includes:

Your name
Your address
Your email address
Your phone number
Your date of birth
Your passport number
A credit or debit card number
Your Social Security number

In the wrong hands, where you live, how old you are, and your email address can all be used to commit fraud, including unauthorized financial transactions and identity theft.

Phishing emails aim to gain access to this kind of information. A phishing email might claim that you have won a prize or that a parcel is waiting for you. All you have to do is click a link and provide some personally-identifying information. Reputable, professional businesses don’t do this. Fraudsters do.

Verify Identities

How do you know who someone really is if you’ve only “met” them online? It can be difficult. Adults should use caution. Children should not send confidential or personally identifiable information to anyone they don’t know in “real life.” Ensuring and enforcing this requires honest, open communication with parents and some parental supervision.

To verify the identity of someone who has contacted you or your child online, you can use Nuwber. With Nuwber, you can confirm or disprove details, including someone’s location, age, and profession. Confirm your suspicions or set your mind at rest.

Images Don’t Disappear

It’s imperative to make it clear to your kids that once something is online, it’s likely there forever. Even when you delete a comment or remove an image, it still exists on a server somewhere. Once an image is downloaded or shared, it’s out of your control. For this reason, you should never say or do anything online that you don’t want to be stored indefinitely.

The FBI says that sextortion, the solicitation of sexual images via threats, is on the rise. Teenagers – both girls and boys – are particularly vulnerable.

These criminals often have multiple profiles that they use to talk to young people to earn their trust before soliciting sexual imagery. This grooming period can last over a year, making the person seem like a real friend. The “friend” then threatens to share the sexual image or carry out another threat if the victim does not send more.

The bottom line is to never send private information or sexual images online.

Don’t Leave Devices Unattended

Kids are particularly vulnerable here. While internet security implies the use of software and encryption to keep your data safe, securing a physical device can also help your internet security.

An opportunist can spot an unattended laptop or mobile phone and gain access to confidential data very quickly. Keeping devices with you or stored safely can help prevent such internet security issues.

If you will be leaving your device unattended, always set it to require a password or PIN to turn it back on. In addition, log out of any services you were using, such as online banking or email. Without logging out properly, it’s easier for someone using your device to access your account.

Avoid Public Wifi

Whoever you are communicating with, public wifi is terrible for security. This means the wifi networks you get in many cafes, hotels, or airports, for example. Without strong security, communications via public wifi should be considered just that – public. Not only can they be seen, but they can be relatively easily intercepted and altered. If you must use public wifi, avoid any financial transactions or private emails.

Insist on SSL Encryption for Transactions

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology encrypts your communications to make it harder for criminals to see and intercept. It’s essential when you are banking online or shopping.

You know you have it when the web address starts with HTTPS. The S means it’s secure. You should also see a padlock symbol in the address bar. This means that the website is secure and communications are encrypted. Don’t use online banking portals or shopping carts that do not have these features.

With internet security handled, we can get on with exploring the internet and making use of its fantastic features to enhance our work and our social lives.

Internet security doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s as simple as using a password, keeping your device nearby, and remembering that you can’t always trust that people are who they say they are. Fortunately, there are plenty of security tools, resources, and tips like these to help keep us and our kids safe.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates