Internet Safety Tips For Families

1. Don’t open e-mail attachments or instant-message attachments unless you are completely sure they do not contain viruses.
2. Don’t click on links inside e-mails or instant messages.
3. Use a screen name (a fake name) in chat rooms.
4. Never agree to meet a fellow chatter in real life.
5. Don’t click on Internet pop-up ads because they might install spy ware on your computer.
6. Don’t use passwords that people can guess (like your pet’s name or the name of your favorite sports team).
7. Never give out personal information about yourself, your family, or your friends (such as your last name, address, phone numbers, the town or city you live in, the name of your school, photos of yourself or your family, PIN numbers for your bank, social-security numbers, etc.).
8. Don’t believe everything you read or see on the Internet because some of the information on the Internet is fake.
9. Don’t download pirated songs or movies and don’t install pirated software or video games you haven’t paid for, because you can get in trouble with the police.
10. Children should immediately tell a parent or teacher if he/she is threatened by a cyber-bully.

Chat-Room Safety

Internet chat rooms can be a fun place where you and your children can talk with other people who share your interests. But be careful: chat-room participants often mask their true identities and might be criminals in disguise. Here are some guidelines for safe chatting:

Choose a Generic Nickname—Most chat rooms ask you to create a nickname. Always use one that is generic or common and doesn’t reveal personal details about yourself. For example, instead of using a nickname that identifies you and your whereabouts—like “BostonBob”—choose a generic one like “FootballFan.” Also, make sure that your nickname is not the same one you use for your e-mail addresses.

Be Anonymous—When chatting, never give out personal information that could identify you, such as your photo, real name, address, phone number, school, place of employment, PIN numbers for your bank, credit-card numbers, social-security numbers, pet’s name, etc.

Avoid Private Chats— Because many chat rooms are havens for sexual predators, you should oversee your children’s participation and keep them away from any chat rooms that are not moderated by trustworthy adults.

Never Meet in Person—No matter how much you enjoy talking to people in a chat room, never agree to meet them in real life. The risks are too great, and you could become the victim of a serious or deadly crime.

Use Filtering Software—The best way to protect your children from Internet predators who lurk in chat rooms is to install special software that filters and/or blocks undesirable Web content. Some popular programs are Spector Pro (http://www.spectorsoft.com), Cyber Sentinel (http://www.securitysoft.com), and IamBigBrother (http://www.iambigbrother.com).

Instant Message Safety

Sending instant messages (IMs) to friends and family is a great way to stay in touch without costly phone charges. However, like any Internet technology, there are several rules you and your children should consider to protect yourselves and prevent your private information from being snatched by snooping criminals.

Only Send and Receive IMs from People You Know—Being selective about the people you talk to will prevent unwanted intruders from barging into your conversations, sending you viruses, or tricking you into clicking a Web link inside an IM.

Block Strangers—Configure your IM program to block messages from anyone who is not on your contact/buddy list. For instructions on doing this, please consult the help menu in your IM software.

Guard Your Identity—Never give out credit-card numbers, social-security numbers, website passwords, security codes, IDs, etc. Just remember, unless you encrypt your IMs, the possibility exists that a criminals could intercept and read them.

Watch What You Type—Be careful about the kind of private or sensitive information you transmit, because you have no control over what happens to an IM you send. Its recipient could copy the text and forward it to other people, which means your private information would no longer be private.

Never Click on Links—Don’t click on Web links in an IM, even if they are sent by friends or family members. It is possible that an Internet virus or worm hijacked their computer and sent you a link hoping to infect you as well.

Don’t Open Attachments—You may trust the person sending you an IM attachment, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. If a newly-created virus is hiding in the attachment, it could slip past your virus scanner and infect your computer. Your best bet is to steer clear of all IM attachments.

In Public, Avoid Auto Log-Ins—When using IM on a public computer, make sure you do not use the program’s automatic log-in feature. This will prevent someone from accidentally or purposefully logging onto your account.

Use Caution at Work—Many companies today screen their employees’ e-mail and IMs. If you don’t want your boss to read your private messages, then wait and send them when you get home.

Don’t Forget to Log Off—When you are finished with an IM session, always log off. This is also true if you are going to be away from your computer for more than a few minutes. Logging off will close access ports on your computer and make it more difficult for Internet intruders to find a way into your system.

Don’t Be Afraid to Tell—If an IM contains words or pictures that are rude, mean, gross, or make your children feel uncomfortable, they should close the message and immediately tell you or their teacher.

Don’t Ignore Computer Troubles—If your children accidentally click a link in an IM or open an IM attachment and the computer starts acting strangely (such as running really slow, showing pop-ups when you’re not connected to the Internet, or showing strange pictures), they should immediately tell you or their teacher because the computer might have become infected with spyware or a virus.

Internet Predators

In many ways, the Internet is like a vast city—full of shops, museums, theatres, and recreational activities. But like most cities, there are certain areas of the Web you don’t want your children visiting alone—such as newsgroups and chat rooms that lack adult supervision. While “moderated” chat rooms and newsgroups are usually safe, “unmoderated” ones are often hangouts for sexual predators who try to solicit underage children. Here are some ways you can help your children enjoy the Internet’s many benefits while avoiding its pitfalls.

Protect Your Children from Internet Predators

The best way to guard your children is to be proactive and get involved in their digital lives. Here are some guidelines:

1. Talk to them about online dangers, and teach them the information in the Kids’ Club Parents’ Guide.
2. Do not let them have a computer in their bedrooms. Instead, keep computer usage in a public area like the family room or kitchen.
3. Use parental control software to filter Web and chat-room content. For more information, see the section of this guide titled “Chat-Room Safety.”
4. Keep tabs on the sites they visit and don’t be afraid to read their e-mail.
5. Learn what safety methods are used to protect your children at the other places they might use a computer, such as their school, local library, their friends’ homes, your relatives’ homes, etc.
6. Make sure they know how important it is to remain anonymous on the Internet. This means they should never give out personal and private information of any kind.
7. Remind them how dangerous it is to have a real-life face-to-face meeting with someone they met on the Internet.

Warning Signs of Risky or Dangerous Behavior

Think back to your childhood. Chances are, you avoided talking to your parents about many of the things you did—especially if you were mischievous. Similarly, your children probably tell you very little about their Internet activities. With the potential perils they can encounter online, it is crucial for you to keep an eye out for any warning signs that they might be communicating with an Internet predator, such as:

1. They excessively surf the Internet, use chat rooms, or send instant messages—especially at night.
2. You discover that they have viewed pornography on the Internet and/or saved it onto their computer.
3. They receive phone calls, mail, or presents from people you don’t know.
4. They make local or long-distance calls to numbers you don’t recognize.
5. When you enter their bedroom, they immediately minimize or close the program or website being used, or shut off the computer monitor.
6. They take great steps to circumvent your watchfulness by using the Internet at an external location like a local library or another person’s home.
7. Their mood and/or behavior suddenly changes—for the worse.

If You Think Your Child Has Talked to a Predator

When it comes to the safety of your children, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you have even the slightest feeling that they might have spoken to—or developed an online relationship with—an Internet predator, take immediate action. Here are some suggestions:

1. Talk openly and honestly with your kids and ask them about their Internet activities. If they are hesitant to respond, you could say that you are just trying to protect them from the potential dangers of the Internet. You might also consider reminding them that it is a privilege to use the Internet, and that privilege can be revoked if it is being misused.
2. Save and print e-mails written by a suspected predator.
3. Check the caller ID on your telephone to see if any unfamiliar phone numbers have called your home.
4. Follow the advice in the next section—titled “Safe Web Surfing.” There you will learn how to give your children separate Windows accounts with limited privileges, how to follow your kids’ Internet tracks, and how to use content filters and/or blockers.
5. Contact the police.