|
The media is always full of scary stories about the Net. Sure, there are problems, but it can be scary crossing the road. Online you need a mix of tips and common sense. |
22 Tips for kids
- Don't give out any personal details.
- Tell adults if you come across something that doesn't sound nice.
- If someone starts chatting to you in a way that sounds wrong, get out of the chatroom and close down the site.
- Never arrange any meeting with anyone without discussing it with your parents.
- Understand that people online may not be who they claim to be.
- Be careful of the nickname you choose - try something neutral, so that people can't tell your sex.
- In chatrooms, don't give too much away, and especially not your email address or real name.
- Ignore bullies or people who use abusive language.
- Don't tell anyone any password you use, except your parents.
- Don't open up emails from people you don't know.
- If you get an email and the subject line is something that sounds dirty or unpleasant, just delete the email without looking at it. Don't click on links or attachments in such emails.
- A search engine is a computer, not a person. When you are presented with a list of Web sites that are supposed to meet your search request, don't just automatically click on the link. See what it says about the Web site to get an idea if that is the correct subject.
- If you visit a commercial site that offers a contest if you provide personal information "so they can contact you if you win a prize", check with your parents before responding.
- Don't copy homework material straight off the Net - teachers are getting better at spotting what is original and what is copied. If you do take something from a site for an essay or homework question, acknowledge the source.
- Information found on the Net may be just someone's opinion, rather than fact. It's important to look for a section that says who made the site, as this may tell you if it's a reliable source like a school or museum.
- If you ever get sent a picture you didn't ask for and find it strange or offensive, just delete it. Don't reply to unknown senders.
- If you ever get an email that makes you uneasy, don't delete it but keep it saved in case an adult wants to refer to it later.
- Web sites usually have a section of links to other sites. Tread carefully, as those other sites are not run by the same company or people and may lead you into accessing information of a totally different nature.
- If you set up a Web site, be careful about what information you put about yourself and what photos you post of you and your family. Also get an adult to check what you're putting on the site.
- Mind your manners. Set a good example. Remember words can hurt especially when people don't hear the way you say things.
- Be a responsible Internet user. Don't blame the Net or the computer or someone else.
- Watch out for the growth later in the year of American-based sites that end with kids.us instead of com. A federal contractor will approve participants wanting to establish addresses with the new suffix and continuously monitor them to be sure they are free of material not suitable for youngsters under 13.
23 Tips for Parents
- Place the computer somewhere you can see it, eg: the lounge.
- Set clear rules. These may include how long your child can be online and what they do online. If you have several young folk, work out a timetable for when the computer gets used, including by the parents.
- Know the child's password so that you can check where they have been going or check their email, and let your child know you might be checking.
- Emphasise the Net is a wonderful place, but like the outside world it is ruined by a few strange people, and you might encounter them.
- Take an interest in what your child is doing online, even if you don't feel Net-savvy, and encourage them to talk to you about their online activities and who their online friends are.
- Encourage your child to report to you anything strange or unpleasant that they encounter online.
- Don't be intimidated by technology. Ask if you don't understand.
- Be careful not to overreact. Not every incident online may be as serious as first appears. Because your child gets a porn junk email, you don't need to dial 111. The key is to use common sense and determine whether the matter is best ignored or a signal of potential trouble.
- Don't leave your credit cards in a place accessible to young people. They've been known to use them to sign up for porn sites, etc
- Check chatrooms your kid visits to see if they are moderated. This means the site has arranged for someone to watch over the chat session and chuck people out if they are nuisances.
- Discourage your kids from having one-on-one personal conversations with someone in the chatroom, instead of addressing the chatroom as a whole so everyone can see the conversation..
- Instant messaging is becoming increasingly popular and this is one-to-one chat like two mobile phones sending text messages to each other. No one else is monitoring the conversation, so you need to remind your child to make sure the person who is "messaging" them is someone known to them.
- You can get filtering software or join an ISP that tries to filter Web sites, such as Watchdog (
www.watchdog.net.nz). Like anti-spam methods, there is no 100% foolproof way to block undesirable content, and such systems should be coupled with your discretion.
You may be able to check where your kid has been online by looking at the "history" section of the Web browser. On Internet Explorer, the history button is up the top next to "media" and lists Web addresses the computer user has visited. But remember, computer-smart kids can find ways to clear the history.
While concentrating on the Internet, have you forgotten about mobile phones? If your child has one or access to one, should you be setting ground rules there as well?
If you want to be really paranoid about your child'e email you could arrange it so that yours is the only email address and the child's email comes via your account.
Don't imagine it's just sex sites that young people are curious about. There's a wealth of material on the Net about things like drugs and bomb making.
It's difficult to monitor Web site adverts. These include the highly irritating pop advertisements for dodgy sounding products.
Don't isolate discussions with children about the Net from the bigger picture of general safety. Is it time for talk about sex generally, and dodgy people who hang around playgrounds?
The Net can teach kids about decision making, exploring, finding out about things that interest them and taking responsibility for acceptable behaviour - but nothing beats parental guidance.
Punishing a child for doing something inappropriate by banning use of the Internet may not be the best solution. The child may still be able to access the Net at a mate's place. It may be wiser to set rules for online activity.
Don't automatically jump to the conclusion that any inappropriate behaviour is the child's fault. Build trust and confidence in your child's use of the Net.
Get a subscription to NetGuide and keep informed about the ever changing face of the Internet and new dangers that arise.
57 Tips for adults
- You don't always have to use your real name. In chatrooms, it is standard procedure to call yourself a nickname. When you sign up for something online such as an email newsletter, you need to ensure you are not going to be spammed by junk email. Use or create a Web-based email address at somewhere like Yahoo (mail.yahoo.com) and direct any newsletters there so that you can keep your home email address private.
- What you read on the Net is not always true. If you are hunting reference material, always look for an explanation of who created the site or the source of the information before trusting the information.
- You can defame people online. That means you can say something about somebody and because it's been "published" or written down in a chatroom or a message board, it can be kept and shown to the person you're talking about and that person can sue you for damages. Be especially careful about rumours about famous people you publish online.
- Sites should list somewhere their policy on giving out any information visitors to the site provide. Sites outside New Zealand are not covered by this country's privacy legislation. Keep an eye on s site's privacy policy during your regular visits for any changes.
- Most people who download or install software don't read the agreement they are required to agree to, which is a mistake. Some of that software, especially the free stuff, says you agree to have other software you didn't want installed on your computer at the same time.
- Copyright is an increasing minefield as the Net becomes more popular and is attracting more eyes. Be careful about using images or words that are stated to belong to someone else or a company and that are not to be reproduced without permission. Sometimes it's just a matter of emailing the site and asking them for permission.
- Be wary of any offer that seems too good to be true, particularly if you're being offered a chance to get a large amount of money. Never give bank account details. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs runs a good site about scams (www.consumer-ministry.govt.nz/scam_alert.html).
- If you have a family Web page, remember anyone can pass by and see it. That's a good thing - but don't put things like your street address alongside your house and pictures of its contents, in case a burglar gets interested! Review the site to make sure you are not giving out personal information.
Be careful who gets to know your passwords. If you're paying by the hour for an online connection, you'll be liable for the time others are using under your name.
- Be careful typing Web addresses. Porn sites try to capture your attention by getting Web addresses similar to recognised places, so that if you mis-type one of the letters or put a net instead of com in the address, you end up somewhere you didn't want to be.
- When you sign up for things such as Hotmail address, make sure you are not letting yourself get listed into that site's directory. Carefully check any "tick box" options to be sure you're not signing up for things you don't want.
- Software is sometimes released with bugs in it or security flaws. If you have downloaded software it pays to return to the site to see if there is any "patch" (the equivalent of a sticking plaster) to repair the problems. From your Internet Explorer browser, click on "tools" and then on "Windows update" and it will search to see if there any patches you need for Microsoft products. Never automatically follow any link you get in an unsolicited email claiming to have a patch against a problem or virus, as this may be a clever ploy to get a virus installed on your computer.
- Never assume that there won't be people online who try to break into your computer through your Internet connection, especially a high-speed one that is on the whole time. You need a computer firewall - software that lets you know if someone is trying to access your Internet connection and tries to keep them out. (See issues 67 and 68 for more about firewalls.)
- Always back up work that you want to keep, in case your computer crashes. Copy stuff you want to keep onto a storage disk such as CD, floppy disk or zip disk. Keep a separate record of regularly used email addresses too.
- Create a boot disk so that if your computer completely crashes, you can recover. If you don't know what's involved go to www.computerhope.com/boot.htm
- You can't predict or control a power surge. This hiccup in your electricity supply can scramble the computer's inner workings. At shops like Dick Smith's you can buy a board that protects your machine from a surge.
- Keep a printout of any transaction you make online in you need proof of purchase.
- Turn off your computer when you're not using it.
Change your password regularly, make it impossible for others to guess, and don't tell anyone.
- If a particular person is regularly harassing you in a chatroom online, don't respond. The best response to this so-called cyberstalking is to move on somewhere else. You can read more about cyberstalking at www.wiredpatrol.org/stalking
- Up to date Web browsers allow you to enjoy all the fun tools Web site developers have, like animation. Two of the systems are called Java and Active X, but there are some concerns about them. You can read about these at www.cs.princeton.edu/sip/faq/java-vs-activex.html or check your system out at gemal.dk/browserspy
- Cookies are bits of information that Web sites store on your computer, temporarily or permanently. Many are useful - such as remembering a password - but there is the potential for a site to plant a "cookie" so they can see where you are going on a site or what sites you visit. Read more about this at www.cookiecentral.com and see webveil.com/cookietools.html
Be wary of any sites that offer you prizes - or emails that claim you have won a prize. Obviously you can trust a local site of a company you are familiar with, but there are sites that are after your email address so they can send you spam, and pretending they're running a contest is a way to get it.
- Never send credit card details in an email. Always treat email like an open postcard.
- Check what personal information is available online. Go to search engine google.com, type in your name and see if anything comes up.
- Some adult-related sites that offer free videos carry a nasty catch. If you are asked to download software that lets you view the videos, you might actually be downloading software that disconnects you from the company that lets you connect to the Net, and instead connects you up to an ISP somewhere like Eastern Europe. From them on, your Net online time is a toll call to that ISP in that country, and will appear on your next Telecom bill.
- For more extreme security measures, you can use something called encryption, which garbles messages and the person at the other end needs a code to make sense of it. For an introduction go to www.cdt.org/crypto/new2crypto/1.shtml There's also a product that tries to hide your online activity (www.anonymizer.com/affiliate/landing.shtml).
- A "denial of service attack" is where people jam a Web site with useless messages that tie up the site's computers, slow access to the site and even make the site crash. If you have a site, learn about the latest developments at www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2000-01.html
- US sites sometimes insist on you putting in a "zip code" address if you're signing up for something like access to the site, even though you don't live in the US. If stuck, just grab a zip code by typing in any US city in the search box at www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer
CHAT
- Think carefully before giving out any personal information in places like chatrooms where you don't really know who you are talking to.
- If you do want to meet someone in the flesh, make sure you talk to them on the telephone first, hold the meeting in a public place and tell someone what you are doing.
- Remember that people online can change their identity or lie about who they really are.
EMAIL
- Get in the habit of checking email regularly so you can reply quickly.
- If you ever get an email that says "forward this to everyone you know", ignore it. Most of the time it is a hoax. Before you send anything, check hoaxbusters.ciac.org - a site on the Net that posts such hoaxes.
- Never accidentally give out other people's email addresses. If you want to send the same message to a number of people in your email address book, you need to use not cc but bcc which stands for blind carbon copy and means that email addresses on that line of the email aren't seen by anyone.
- Because email is so fast, it's easy to lose your cool in the heat of the moment. Words often read worse than they were meant to be in conversation where you can tell the tone of the person. If you get an email and feel a rush of blood to the head, take a moment to reflect before you reply.
- Email, like text messaging, is a quick form of communication, but try adding the odd human touch, like a greeting or a farewell.
- Be very careful when forwarding an email to someone else. Make sure that the person who wrote the email would be OK about you sending the personal email to someone else.
- When you reply to someone, check that you are replying back to that particular person. If the original email has been sent to several people including yourself, you may be sending it back to all those people as well.
- Never open an email attachment from someone you don't know, or one that you weren't expecting and has an odd name to it. This is especially so if you are using one of Microsoft's email programs. Email viruses spread easiest by people sending attachments which contain viruses, especially if they tempt you with a line that the attachment is worth opening.
- Email viruses won't go away but you can do things to prevent them hitting your computer. The most important is to buy or get anti-virus software and keep it updated often.
- New viruses are getting so clever they often disguise who sent you the virus. The virus may indicate it was sent to you by a certain person, but it may be one that has grabbed a name out of someone's email address book and pretended the offending email is coming from them.
NEWSGROUPS
- Newsgroups or bulletin boards are places where you can post your views like a more casual letter to the newspaper. This is in effect like sending an email to the newsgroup, so similar rules apply to email etiquette. You may find spirited debate taking place about topical issues, but don't get too hot under the collar.
- Don't use your full name (choose a nickname) or your personal email address (get a Web based one), as it means people can directly start sending you emails.
- The traditional area of the Web devoted to newsgroups (you'll find them at groups.google.com) includes thousands devoted to weird interests or what could be called specialised adult content. Many of those have the prefix "alt", standing for alternative - such as alt.aliens
ONLINE BUYING
- Buy online from businesses you can trust. If you're unsure, check that the online business has a physical address and phone number and a returns policy. You should always ask around to see if you can find anyone who has had dealings with the company, or even search on the Net for any consumer reaction (check sites like www.complaints.com).
- Never buy anything from a Web site unless the site protects the confidential information you give them in the process, such as your credit card details. You'll know the site is using such protection if a padlock icon appears at the bottom of your screen when you are completing the checkout process. If you have any doubts, email the site and ask if they are using what is called "a secure server", and to prove it!
- Prices are not always cheaper, but there are other factors to consider - especially the convenience.
Study freight costs closely. Sometimes another retailer may have higher process but when freight is taken into consideration, the overall price is more competitive. Retailers sometimes offer various freight choices including a slower but cheaper method.
- Keep a close eye on your credit card statements to ensure nothing unusual was recorded.
Remember when you buy online from an overseas site, you may still have to pay tax or GST on arrival of the goods.
If buying overseas, check carefully what currency the prices are in - there's a currency converter at www.xe.com/ucc
Always check what the store's policy is about insurance, refunds and returns.
- Warranties can be tricky when buying from an overseas site. It pays to check the local office of an overseas manufacturer or local distributor to see if the warranty you get does apply if something goes wrong here.
Think carefully about your proposed purchase and if necessary do the old "sleep on it" trick. The online store won't close - it is open 24 hours a day.
- If you have any questions about the product or sale, email and await a response. This might be a good way to check what the company is like with customer service. If you never get a response, don't shop there.
- As you pass through the checkout, you might find yourself being encouraged to sign up for newsletters from the store. Think carefully before agreeing to anything, to make sure you do want the newsletters being offered. It also pays to check the store's privacy policy to ensure your email address is not being passed on to others.
HELPFUL LOCAL SITES
The Internet Safety Group is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the Police and others (www.netsafe.org.nz). Ecpat is part of a global movement of ordinary people concerned to protect children from those who would sexually abuse them (www.ecpat.org.nz/cyberkidz.htm).
Secure Your System
- Run and maintain an anti-virus product on your home computer and update regularly
- Do not run or install programs of unknown origin
- Use a personal firewall
- Don’t access your bank account from computers in Internet cafes, or other public places, eg: libraries, as they may not be safe.
- Be sure to install any “fixes” or “patches” supplied by the maker of your operating system (eg: Microsoft, Apple) – you should be able to register for update alerts.
- Secure Your Passwords
Don’t give your PIN or password to anyone else
Change your Internet banking passwords on a regular basis
Avoid using your birth date or name as your PIN or password
Avoid storing passwords on your computer
Don’t set up your computer so it ‘autocompletes’ or saves your password. Take Care
Delete without opening emails, requesting personal details such as PINs or passwords - banks will not ask you to provide PINs or passwords
Delete suspicious emails with attachments and do not open the attachments
Check for secure connection (Secure Web site addresses have https at the start. The ‘s’ indicates secure. They will also have a ‘padlock’ icon on the bottom right corner. Double-clicking the icon will show who owns the certificate verifying the identity of the site.)
Follow your own path to the site you choose – it is possible to create a link on a Web page or in an email and make it look as if it is taking you to a bona fide Web site when it is sending you elsewhere. Your safest course is to check that you have the correct address (URL) and then type it each time into your address bar
Consider whether the message you have received is a message that you would expect to receive – is it one you have received from your bank before? (Incorrect grammar or spelling is usually an immediate indicator of a suspect email or Web site.)
Reconcile your account(s) either online or by statements frequently and regularly
If you suspect that you have been taken in by a scam, or that you may have received a virus that enables someone to access your account details, you should report it immediately to your bank.
|