Module 6: Exploring Online Safety Issues

EXPLORING ONLINE SAFETY ISSUES

• Avoiding online problems
• Can you be found?
• Avoid identity theft
• Sexting
• Cyberbullying
• Jump to another topic in module 6.

Avoiding Online Problems

1. Take steps to stop (or at least slow down) spam!
   Unwanted bulk-sent e-mail is known as spam. You can deter or minimize spam through the following methods:
   • Use filters to block or reroute e-mail from specific addresses (or that meet specific criteria) to your trash folder.

   • Set Internet privacy options in Internet Explorer to limit "third party" cookies:
     • Select tools--Internet options--privacy to make setting changes.

   • Follow these tips from McAfee.com:
     1. Beware of purchasing spam-advertised products.
     2. Refrain from clicking on Reply or Remove!
     3. Use a "public" e-mail address when online.
     4. Don't post your e-mail address online.
     5. Use an e-mail spam filtering program (such as McAfee's Spam Killer).

2. Be careful about how your name appears in sent e-mail messages!
   Almost all mail clients (except Misericordia's, where it is already established) allow you to choose your user name and your display name. You don't have to enter you first and last name to appear on outgoing e-mail messages.
   Be careful! Realize that the e-mail world will know you only by the presence that you create. The name you choose may attract people, and sometimes the wrong people. Choose your name carefully, and think about the possible consequences before you do.

Can You Be Found?

Do you need some convincing as to why you should not make your full name your e-mail name? In the "try it" below, try to find out someone's phone number or street address. You might also want to obtain a map with driving directions to their house. You might also want to try to locate a person's e-mail address, although this usually is not reliable unless the person you are seeking is established for a period of time within a company. (Anyone can create, change, and delete e-mail names over and over again daily.)

Find a Person in RL Find people online and in RL (real life) at anywho.com. Try the following: Imagine that you just have a name and maybe a city or state. Try to find a phone number and address for this name. Determine how many people with your last name live in Pennsylvania or another state. Reverse Telephone Lookup Navigate to anywho.com Pretend that you only have a phone number. Try the reverse lookup option and try to locate this person. Maps and Driving Directions When you have found an address, select from a variety of maps or driving directions.

Avoiding Identity Theft

1. ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft: The Federal Trade Commission Web site on identity theft. View their introductory video!
2. comparecards.com: This online resource discusses wise and careful use of credit cards, and how your identity can be stolen when using credit cards.

To avoid identity theft:

1. Never give out personally identifying information to anyone (except for authorities and people you trust).
2. Always shred mail that contains your name, address, and other personally identifying information.
3. Protect against spyware.
4. Check your credit report periodically.

If you are a victim of identity theft:

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with the 3 main credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian).
2. Close any suspected accounts with your financial institutions and credit card companies.
3. File a complaint with the FTC.
4. File a report of the crime with local police.
5. Monitor your credit report AnnualCreditReport.com (free annual service) OR FreeCreditReport.com (pay service to automatically monitor your credit reports).
6. Download more information from the Federal Trade Commission.

Protect yourself when buying/selling online at www.escrow.com

Spyware Another threat to your privacy and protection that could lead to identity theft is spyware. Spyware software hides on your computer and monitors or controls your computer use. It may be used to send you pop-up ads, redirect your computer to websites, monitor your Internet surfing, or record your keystrokes, which, in turn, could lead to identity theft. Some clues that spyware is on your PC: (according to the Federal Trade Commission) a barrage of pop-up ads a hijacked browser (takes you to sites other than those you type into the address box) a sudden or repeated change in your computer's Internet home page new and unexpected toolbars new and unexpected icons on the system tray at the bottom of your computer screen keys that don't work (for example, the "Tab" key that might not work when you try to move to the next field in a Web form) random error messages sluggish or downright slow performance when opening programs or saving files To guard against spyware, experts at the FTC and technologists suggest: Update Windows and Web browser software. Download free software only from sites you know and trust. Be careful with peer-to-peer file-sharing programs. Know the risks (FTC's P2P File Sharing Alert). Don't install any software without knowing exactly what it is. Ensure your browser security setting is high enough to detect unauthorized downloads. Don't click on any links within pop-up windows. (If you do, you may install spyware on your computer. Instead, close pop-up windows by clicking on the "X" icon in the title bar.) Don't click on links in spam that claim to offer anti-spyware software. Some software offered in spam actually installs spyware. Switch on the Windows firewall program or install a another similar product. Download Ad-Aware by Lavasoft. Ad-Aware is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.

Sexting

Aspects of sexting:

• A social danger with sexting is that material can be very easily and widely disseminated, over which the originator has no control.
• Our legal system (federal as well as state) does not know how to treat sexting cases legally. For example, sexting can involve minors being accused of a misdemeanor, or involve them being treated as adults in sexually-based legal situations such as being considered felons or even being labeled as sexual predators!

What can we do?

• Teachers:
  • Talk to teenage children about the dangers of sexting.
  • Teach kids to never post their cell phone number anywhere online.
• Parents:
  • Create rules about appropriate use of phones. Set limits, including to whom and when they can communicate.
  • Review phone records for any unknown numbers and late-night calls.

Cyberbullying

Aspects of cyberbullying:

• Cyberbullying can be simple: Continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said he/she wants no further contact.
• Or involved: Sending threatening and harassing emails, instant messages, or text messages to the victim.
• Or even more involved:
  • Disclose victims� personal data.
  • Pose as the victim and post false material.
  • Post rumors or gossip and instigate others to dislike or gang up on the target.
  • Post an edited photo of a victim.

Cyberbullying is effective because:

• Cyberbullies can remain anonymous.
• Cyberbullies do not face their targets. It takes little energy or courage to express hurtful comments using a keyboard.
• Cyberbullying penetrates the walls of a home, traditionally a place where victims could seek refuge from other forms of bullying
• Cyberbullying can happen at any time because victims (most people) keep their cell phones constantly turned on.