Protect This House – Internet Safety for the Home
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Protect This House: Internet Safety for the Home Introduction: ........................................................................................................................ 2 Why Should We Care?........................................................................................................ 3 Online Rule of Agreement .......................................................................................... 4 How do I know if a computer has been secured? ....................................................... 4 Example Rules: Online Ten Commandments ............................................................. 5 Who is in the Driver's Seat? - User Restrictions ................................................................. 7 Parental Controls – Keep that Baby Gate Up! .................................................................. 10 Keep the Garbage Out! – Web Filters ............................................................................... 12 Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus – Does my Computer have a Cold? .................................. 14 Operating System and Application Updates – Is your Foundation Secure? ..................... 17 Cell Phone Parental Controls ............................................................................................ 19 Safe Web Surfing .............................................................................................................. 23 Get your computer protected! ................................................................................... 23 Keep your Passwords Strong .................................................................................... 23 What is a strong password? ....................................................................................... 23 Don't be Click Happy! .............................................................................................. 24 Shop Safely ............................................................................................................... 24 Nothing in Life is FREE ........................................................................................... 25 Social Networking – Do You Know Where Your Kids Are? ........................................... 26 1 Introduction: About the Author: I am a mother of four children. They are fairly young (all under six). Although they don‟t have cell phones, use the computer, or have an account on Facebook, I want to make sure I am prepared for when they start venturing out in this virtual world in which we live. I am also an ethical hacker. Before I was married and had kids, I worked for 3 years for a large public accounting firm as a security consultant. Many times I would work on consulting projects, which required me to sit on a company‟s network and try and hack into systems and obtain sensitive information. I would then present my findings, so that the company could make changes and have a more secure network. I now work for the Security department for a mid-sized bank. Because of my work experience, I have been the “technical support” for friends and family. I soon realized that although almost everyone has a Facebook account and a high speed Internet connection, most moms don‟t know the first thing about computer security. They are scared of their computers and don‟t want to “break” anything. About this Handout: The purpose of this handout is to educate you on how to PREVENT garbage from coming into your home through your computer, laptop, tablet, iPhone, etc. I built a website dedicated to this topic: www.securemama.com. I have multiple links to video tutorials on how to set up controls on the various devices. Here are some other websites that are helpful as well: http://www.theonlinemom.com http://www.ikeepsafe.org/ http://www.internetsafetyproject.org/ Making changes on a home computer can be scary. This is especially true when making security changes. Your blood rushes, your heart is beating, and in your head you are thinking, “What application will it break? Will I be able to go back to how it was before? What am I doing??!!” I know this can be overwhelming, but just see what will be the most beneficial to you and your family, and implement a change. Also, just like we say a prayer when we lose something. You can also say a prayer when you are confused in front of the computer especially when you are safeguarding your computer! 2 Why Should We Care? This is direct from LDS.org: http://www.lds.org/study/topics/internet?lang=eng The Internet can be a wonderful tool and resource for information, but caution must be exercised in order to protect families and individuals from the potential dangers that are present online. Church leaders repeatedly counsel members to avoid Internet pornography, gambling, and other evils that are available on the Web. The Church also provides links to many resources to help individuals and families use the Internet safely and wisely. “You live in a world of technological miracles. You have access through the Internet to resources one cannot begin to imagine. However, lurking there as well is a sinister evil, as deadly as a rapidly growing cancer. If you allow this pornographic disease a place in your heart, the Spirit withdraws itself and, ere you are aware, you are left alone and vulnerable (see D&C 121:37). You must avoid that pornographic playground. The same self-discipline is required relative to the materials you choose to read and the videos you may select to view. Pornography is poison!” (“Bring Your Mission Home with You,” Ensign, Dec. 2000, 18). Obviously, we cannot keep everything out, but we MUST provide direction and implement some controls for our kids, before they are inadvertently exposed to objectionable material. 3 Online Rule of Agreement Online Rule of Agreement This agreement is to promote a discussion of what is allowed and not allowed. Your child is exposed to so much and in so many different ways (home computer, school, cell phones, friends‟ cell phones, library computers, etc.). It is not realistic to assume that all of those devices have been secured. Discuss what types of sites are allowed and what is not allowed. Discuss what your child can and cannot do on the Internet, no matter what or where or how they are accessing the Internet. Use this agreement as a way to safeguard your child when they are accessing the Internet on computers or devices that have not been secured. How do I know if a computer has been secured? When I say secure, my main concern is whether or not restrictions are in place for a safe web surfing environment. Does the computer have a separate user account for kids with limited functionality? (See page 7). Does the Computer have a web filter in place? (See page 12). Does the computer have some kind of anti-virus or anti-spyware safeguards? (See page 13). Does the computer have the most recent operating system and application updates installed? (See page 15). In addition to the discussion of Internet Safety, you should spend time with your child on the Internet. You can build trust with your children and help them know that you are looking out for their best interest. Start as early as you can, before you have to turn into a “bad cop.” It is inevitable that your child will stumble on something inappropriate. They may have accidentally clicked on a link or an advertisement. Establish a „fire drill‟ routine so that your child can come to you if something inappropriate comes on the screen. Let‟s Teach “Stop, drop, and Tell.” Stop what they are doing on the computer, drop everything and go tell an adult. 4 Below is an example online agreement. The new “Strength of Youth” pamphlet has some good guidelines as well. https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth/entertainment-and- media?lang=eng Example Rules: Online Ten Commandments 1. Do not view inappropriate content including pornography, content with vulgar language, or anything that will take away the Spirit. “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” - Articles of Faith 1:13 2. Do not share any personal information on the Internet. (Pictures, Name, address, password, etc.) If you want to join a site that requires this information, you must first get permission. Do not purchase items or give out credit card information without your parents‟ permission. 3. Do not enter chat rooms. Chat Room: A chat room is a interactive website where people of similar interests can communicate at the same time. These are available through popular sites such as yahoo.com. The problem with chat rooms is that your child will be interacting with strangers, and you do not know the stranger‟s intentions. 4. Do not use social media or Instant Messaging applications without your parents permission. Social Media: Any website where you can interact with friends or acquaintances, example Facebook, Twitter. Instant Messaging: You can communicate live with other people over the Internet by typing into a specific application. Popular messangers: msn messanger, yahoo messanger, etc. 5. Do not post mean spirited comments or status updates online. THINKS! Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? Is it Secure? 6. Do not download any applications from the Internet. There are many free applications available but a lot of these free applications are loaded with malware. (malware: Short for „Malicious Software‟ is any software written with the intent disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access