Internet Safety Tips For Kids and Adults

Internet safety tips for kids, adults and website owners can be easily found on the web, but many ignore those tips.  There are several common sense Internet safety tips that everyone can and should implement.  Internet safety is a necessity for everyone regardless of age or gender.  Predators and hackers are continuously coming up with ways to do harm so the more you know how to stay safe online, the better your chances of protecting your online privacy and online security.  I encourage everyone to learn the various terms such SPAM, Phishing, Internet scams, malware, viruses, Trojan horses, spyware, etc. 

Knowledge can be a powerful tool in the fight against online computer crimes.

I don’t claim to be an expert, but I have learned through the school of hard knocks and research.  So to help others I want to share what I have learned, but I also encourage you to do additional research beyond this post.

 

Internet Safety For Kids

When my child asked me about being online, my reaction was to first say no.  I reconsidered because in today’s world, the Internet plays a key role in education in schools and I wanted my child learn how to utilize the Internet. 

One of the caveats of my child’s access to the Internet; social media, online gaming, and email is that I have access to all platforms and accounts.  It’s not because I don’t trust my kid, I don’t trust other people whose intentions could be harmful to my child and any device being used to access the web.

If you are a parent, then you’ve probably had the ‘stranger danger’ talk (or at least I hope you have or are planning to have it).  Those discussions need to include Internet safety.  Unless you live under a rock, you’ve more than likely heard of a number of instances of online predators luring kids away to abduct, molest or kill them.  It’s our responsibility to teach our kids how to be safe on the Internet.  We cannot rely solely on anti-virus, malware or spyware to keep them safe.

I regularly login to my child’s accounts and look for suspicious links, messages and anything that could be a potential danger.  If in doubt, I delete and block the sender.  It’s important to monitor all activity including online games.  Ask your child if they have seen anything unusual like someone they don’t know attempting to contact them.  Encourage them to let you know or ask if they are not sure what to do.

Cyber-bullying is another topic we need to discuss with our children.  Kids and teens can be very cruel especially when it comes to the Internet.  They think hiding behind a keyboard will be enough to keep them anonymous. Encourage your kids to speak up if they are being bullied online or offline.  If they tell they are being bullied, investigate and take the necessary action.  Failing to take them serious sends them a bad message and that might be the last time the come to you.

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Protect your credit and debit cards with an RFID wallet:

Difficult or Strong Passwords Are A Must

Yes, I know coming up with difficult passwords can be a hassle, but it’s better than being hacked.  If your identity is stolen because your were too lazy to set up a strong password, just wait for the hassle you set yourself up for.  Never setup a password that has any association with you or your family, including a pet or your favorite car. 

Hackers are pretty clever, so make it as difficult as possible for them.  Use a combination of capital letters, numbers and symbols.  If they are too difficult to remember, write them down in safe place and don’t leave them laying around for visitors to see.  Don’t the same passwords for multiple accounts.

Downloading Free Software

There are hundreds of free software applications available for downloading and installing on your devices.  I’ve learned the hard way to perform the ‘Custom’ download and/or install.  Some software companies partner with other companies so when you do the ‘Recommended’ install quite often there will additional applications you might not be aware of.  Some of those applications have viruses.

Email Attachments

I know you’ve probably heard this before….don’t open attachments from people you don’t know.  Well, that’s another hard lesson to learn for some.  Hackers pose as attorneys, bankers and other occupations that may seem legitimate but before you open an attachment, ask yourself, ‘Why would an attorney be contacting me?’

Websites related to banking will never ask for your password.  This include PayPal and other online payment services will never ask for your password.  Always look at the email address from the sender.  The address might include the bank name, but there will be additional text that should alert you of suspicious activity.  If in doubt delete the email and block the sender.

 

 

Anti-Virus, Malware and Spyware Applications

I used to pay for anti-virus applications that were supposed to protect my computer.  They didn’t and were a waste of money.  I use the free version of AVG and Malwarebytes.  Both have been very good tools.  Always read customer reviews for any security applications.  Many claim to be effective, but in reality they aren’t.  Norton is one I will never use again.

I also do regular computer maintenance that can also help in keeping your device clean.  I learned about them on YouTube.

If you ever get a call from a company claiming to be Microsoft, just hang up.  It’s a scammer trying to get remote access to your computer.  They try to use scare tactics by claiming they identified a virus on your device.  Don’t be fooled.

 

Internet Safety Tips For Website Owners

Website Security

As a website owner, I take security very seriously.  I moderate all comments and only approve a small percentage of those comments because so many are just spam.  I also use highly rated and effective security plug-ins and strong passwords.  I have blocked a lot of IP addresses due to spam and hacking attempts.  When you block an IP address, access to your website should be denied.  If it is not, contact your web hosting company and ask them to provide the appropriate tools or at the very least suggest some good tools for website security.

I don’t share intimate details of my life or family in any of my posts.

Utilize good, reputable webmaster tools to help you monitor your website activity and visitors.  YouTube has a lot of great tutorials that provide some very helpful tips for securing your website.  Remember, knowledge is power.  Research, research and then do some more research.   Establishing good communication with your web hosting company can be very helpful.  They should be able to address any concerns you might have and point you in the right direction.

 

How To Prevent Identity Theft & What To Do If You Become A Victim

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_safety

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