The new organizational website at www.getnetwise.org is divided into four main parts, Keeping Children Safe Online, Stopping Unwanted E-mail and Spam, Protecting Your Computer From Hackers and Viruses, and Keeping Your Personal Info Private. Each of these topics is categorized into subheadings containing clear, concise, and easy to understand information.
The section on keeping kids safe online includes an online safety guide for parents, children, and teachers. It states that parents need to become involved with their children's net surfing, and that teachers need to teach children about safe Internet practices. Others, including community organizations, libraries, and after school programs need to educate children and their parents about safe Internet practices. With proper guidance from their parents and communities, children and teenagers will learn responsibility while exploring the net. Since many children are more "net savvy" then their parents, the website has a good tip for those parents. It recommends that parents ask their children to teach them about the net, and demonstrate what the kids like about the net. Have the children explain what is good and bad on the net, and explain their good and bad experiences. Information on the website is also age indexed to represent the different needs and risks of children and teenagers.
It is also imperative that parents explain to their children the utter importance of Internet privacy, and that they should never disclose personal information while on the net. This includes a flat prohibition on disclosing real names, addresses, email addresses, school information, or the posting of personal photographs on the net. Parents need to make clear the risks to the children if they violate this guideline. There is a section on child privacy on the GetNetWise website at kids.getnetwise.org/safetyguide/privacy.
In the "Tools for Families" section are reasonable tips to promote net safety. Most Internet service providers (ISPs) now offer some type of web filtering; parents are encouraged to contact their ISP and inquire and implement such filtering, if necessary. A database of links is available providing a variety of filtering and blocking resources on specific topics that the parents may wish to restrict from their children. Other resources provide directories of "kid safe" links, and information on reporting suspicious or dangerous Internet activities.
Another major section of the site provides information on limiting spam mail, and other unwanted email. Sources of spam fighting and filtering, and tools to assist the process are provided, as well as tips on minimizing the chance of having spammers harvest the users' email addresses. Following these rules, and implementing the practices given may minimize the amount of spam mail received. If a victim of a spammer, links and information are provided that may be of use in fighting back against the spammer.
Regular readers of the column are well aware that for years I have warned about the risks that viruses and hackers impose on home users; these risks are substantial. Home and office computers can often easily be protected from these threats by following the tips and hints in the section on "Protecting Your Computer From Viruses and Hackers". The section is divided into broadband and dial-up sections reflecting the different risks and needs that those connection methods impose. Links are also provided to relevant resources, including the Federal Trade Commission's website on "Consumer Information Security" at www.ftc.gov/infosecurity, and the National CyberSecurity Alliance at www.staysafeonline.info.
The final section of the GetNetWise site is on privacy issues. The site explains about such privacy concerns as "cookies", online shopping, email, and file sharing. Cookies are small text files placed on the user's computer by many websites. While many cookies are harmless, some cookies can be used to track and compile information about the user and his surfing habits. The "Shopping" section has information on determining the reputability of online merchants, and points to consider in merchants' privacy policies. By following these guidelines the risk of being scammed is reduced, and the privacy of the user will be protected. Resources are provided making complaints and taking other action if privacy is threatened, or the user is the victim of an online shopping scam. Another issue discussed is the online security of financial information, such as credit card numbers. While most online merchants are reputable, there are still those out there who not just intend to scam the victim out of his money, but to also steal his credit card information, and possibly engage in identity theft.
The site at www.getnetwise.org is an excellent resource for all computer users. If we all followed the guidelines listed, the incidents and horror stories we hear about would be greatly reduced.
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