Guidelines for Basic Internet Safety

More than 30 million teen under the age of 18 are online every day.  71% of teens online reported receiving messages from someone they don't know.  It is so important now more than ever to learn basic Internet safety.

NEVER give out personal information such as:

1. Your name

2. Your address, city or state where you live

3. Telephone numbers

4. School name location or club activities you are involved in

5. NEVER agree to meet someone you meet online!

STRONG PASSWORD:

The first key to being safe is to have a strong password, please see below suggestion to make you password stronger:

a. NEVER give your password!

b. Make it lengthy - each character you add increases the protection

c. Your password should be 7 to 8 or more characters

d. Combine letter, numbers and symbols

e. Use the entire keyboard

f. Use words or phrases that are easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess

* Your password will be much stronger if you choose from all the symbols on the keyboard.



PASSWORD STRATEGIES TO AVOID:

- Avoid sequences or repeated characters like 12345678 or 2222222 etc.

- Avoid using only look-alike substitutions of numbers or symbols like 1 for an a, or a with an @ symbol (P@ssw0rd).

- Avoid dictionary words in any language.  Criminals use sophisticated tools that can rapidly guess passwords that are based on words in multiple dictionaries including spelling words backwards (sdrawkcab).

- Use more than one password everywhere.  If anyone of the computers or online systems using this password is compromised, all of your other information protected by that password should be considered compromised as well.

              CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD REGULARLY!

               IM's

10 Tips for Safer Instant Messaging

1. Be careful when creating a screen name, use a nickname.

2. Creat a barrier against unwanted instant messaging.

3. Never provide personal information in an IM conversation.

4. Only communicate with people who are on your contact or buddy list.

5. NEVER meet up with a stranger you know only from IM communications.

6. NEVER open pictures, download files, or click links in messages from people you don'ts know.

7. Don't send personal or private instant messages at work or school.

8. If you use a public computer (school, library) do not select the feature that allows you to log on automatically.

9. Monitor and limit your computer or laptop, check regularly with anti-virus software.

10. When you're not available to receive messages, be careful how you display this information to other users.

  Downloading Music, Software or Images

Files you download could be just what you expect, but they might also be vehicles for malevolent intent.  Malicious software (malware) is software that can harm you or your computer; it can include viruses, worms, spyware, and other unwanted programs.

Before you download files, make sure you are protected from unwanted software.  Keep your anti-virus software updated and scan your computer for viruses often, use a spam filter.

            Viruses, Worms, or Trojans?

Viruses, Worms and Trojans are malicious programs that can cause damage to your hard drive, steal personal information or completely shut down your computer.  They slow down the Internet and can even spread themselves to your friends and family, or the rest of the Web. 

The good new is that with just a minimum amount of prevention and some common sense, you can be less likely to fall victim to these invaders.

   What is a Virus?

A virus is a piece of computer code that attached itself to a program or file so it can spread from computer to computer, infecting every computer as it spreads.  They can damage your software, your hardware and your files VIRTUALLY all viruses and many worms spread by opening and running infected programs like emails and the files that attached.

NEVER open anything that is attached to an email message unless you were expecting the attachment and you know the exact contents of the file.

Other viruses spread through programs you download from the Internet or from virus-ridden computer disks that you borrow from friends or even buy in a store.

    

                         What is a Worm?

Like a virus, a worm is designed to copy itself from one computer to another, without user action or knowledge.  It does that by taking control of features on the computer that can move files or information.  Unfortunately, a worm can travel alone and replicate itself over & over & over.  It has the tendency to send copies of itself to everyone in your email list and address book.  Soon their computers will then do the same thing crating a domino effect.
                                   

                What is a Trojan?

A Trojan is a computer program that appears to be useful but actually does damage.  They spread when unsuspecting people are lured into opening a program because they think it comes from a legitimate source.  You can also get it in software you download for FREE.

Because of that, NEVER download software from a source that you don't trust.

How Do I Know If I Have a Virus? 

You might not know you've contracted a virus, even when you open and run an infected program.  Here are a few of the more common symptoms:

1. Does your computer run slow?

2. Does it stop responding and lock up?

3. Does it crash and restart every few minutes?

4. When powering up does it get stuck and leave a blank screen?

*If you can run your computer it's time to run an anti-virus check!

What is a Cookie?           

Cookies are small files that Websites put on your computer hard disk drive when you first visit.  Think of a cookie as an identification card that's uniquely yours.  its job is to notify the site when you've returned.  Cookies should NOT be confused with viruses.  While it is possible to misuse a cookie in cases where there is personal data, cookies by themselves are not malicious.

Have you ever been in a website and in the middle of a download or computer purchase lose Internet connection with that site!

Have to fear, a cookie will take you right back where you where when you revisit that website!  Thank You Cookies!

     SPYWARE - Am I Being Watched?

If your computer starts to behave strangely or displays any of the symptoms listed below, you may have spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.

* Do you see pop-up advertisements all the time?
* Have the settings changed and you can't change them back?
* Is your Web browser showing additional components that you don't remember downloading?
* Is there an extra tool bar?

Some Internet service providers include anti-spyware software in their service packages, or download Windows Defender or any other spyware removal tool.

How do I Handle Suspicious Email?     

DON'T click links in email messages.  Often they take you to transmit personal or financial information to con artist or identity thiefs.

When searching for a websire type the address directly into your browser or use your personal bookmarks.

If you need to update your account information or change your password, visit the Website by using your personal bookmark or by typing the URL directly into your browser.

Check the security certificate of each Website before you enter personal or financial information into a Website by clicking the yellow lock icon on the status bar.                     
                     

If you think you're receiving phishing email messages, DON'T respond to it!

Report suspicious email to the faked or "Spoofed' organization, your Internet provider, or the FBI.