Safely Traveling Through the Web

Anastasia Trekles, Ph.D.

Clinical Asst. Professor,

Purdue University North Central

atrekles@pnc.edu

Prezi version: http://prezi.com/nssf4cblhggv/

Today’s Topics

1. Online basics: Terms and tools for understanding

2. Social networking: Where and how you can get in trouble online

3. Cyber-bullying: The schoolyard goes digital

4. Internet Security: What we can do to protect ourselves and our computers

5. Resources: Furthers resources to explore on all of these topics

Internet Basics: Helpful Terms and Tools

• URL (uniform resource locator): Also known as an Internet address, this is what is typed into a browser program in order to visit a web site

• Many people think that all websites start with “www” and end with “.com”, but this not true

• Contrary to popular belief, .org doesn’t mean a site is better or more reliable –evaluate all information that comes your way!

• When sending personal info, like credit cards or passwords, check for the Sin the http

Simple Tips for Avoiding Inappropriate Sites

• If stuck in a “pop-up attack”, or a site where the user can’t seem to get away, use the keyboard to quit or close the window• Control+W (Windows) or Command+W (Mac) closes a window

• Alt+F4 or Control+Alt+Delete (Windows) or Command+Q or Command+Option+Esc (Mac) closes a program

• Avoid going to sites or following links that you’re not sure about

• Use search engines that filter out inappropriate content, like Yahooligans!

Social Media

• Sites that allow users to share personal profiles, favorite pictures and videos, and thoughts between others who are “friends” on their network

• Examples: Facebook, SnapChat, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, Tumblr

Talking to Strangers

• Learn some “stranger literacy” you can use to improve the quality and safety of online time:• Never post or disclose

personal information or concerns on an open forum

• Keep your social accounts private, so that only those with an invitation can visit

Pay Attention to Others Online

• Pay attention to the details of other people’s messages, and watch for inconsistencies or other clues that might indicate that they are not who they say they are

• Ask others for their opinion about people you have concerns about

• Watch out for overtly friendly or complimentary messages, or anyone who sends unsolicited gifts

Making New Friends

• Never agree to meet someone in person without parental approval and without someone you trust present

• If you want to meet someone from online who you feel has “passed” all the tests, always meet them in a public place and never leave that place with the stranger

Profiles and Postings

• You don’t have to tell everything!

• Avoid including specific information about yourself, your community, your school, or other things you’re involved with in your online profiles

• When posting video and pictures, never include anything personally identifiable

Profiles and Postings

• Remember that everyone can potentially see your videos, pictures, and posts once they are online

• NEVER post anything inappropriate or incriminating in any way, even if someone else pressures you to do so

• You cannot control what happens to the things you post after they are online, and future employers, college recruiters, etc. may be able to see these things

Cyber-Bullying

• Refers to any insulting, degrading, or intimidating behavior toward another in an online format

• Bullying has always been around, but in an online format now the bully can remain (somewhat) anonymous

• Hurtful or threatening exchanges by someone you do not know can be all that much more intimidating, and bullies know this

Cyber Bullying

• Can happen through email, IM, social networks, blogs, online gaming

• Understand that cyber bullying can be very serious

• Watch for warning signs with your friends and your kids:

• Behavior change, lower grades

• Expressing reluctance in activities they used to enjoy

• Signs of illness, depression, refusal to go to school

• Spending too much time online or cell phone messaging

Why does cyberbullying happen?

• It’s easier to hurt someone you can’t see

• They think they won’t get caught

• Cyberbullies can get a bigger audience online, feeding into their insecurities

• Peer pressure!

Basic Netiquette

• Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you would follow in real life

• Don’t share personal information - even to people you know – online

• Don’t pass on rumors and protect others’ privacy

• Use smileys to help your messages get understood better

• Realize that you are never really anonymous online

• Be forgiving of others’ mistakes and don’t start “flame wars” or gang up on others

Kids: Don’t become a bully!

• Follow the rules of netiquette and do not join in on conversations that insult others

• Remember that the person on the other end is a real human being, with real feelings, and abusive actions still hurt them even if you can’t seem them

• Don’t reply to any spam/group messages, even to remove yourself from their “list”

• Report abusive behavior against others to parents, police, and/or website moderators immediately

If You are Being Bullied

• Don’t make your personal contact info public!

• Use blocking tools in email, phones, and websites where available

• Make sure that the right person receives what you send by making sure screen names and addresses are spelled correctly

• Don’t reply to harassing messages - save them instead, and tell an adult

• You can also forward harassing messages to your Internet Service Provider

• Tell the police immediately if you receive a physical threat

Cyber Bullying Resources

• http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/

• http://haltabuse.org/

• http://www.cyberbully.org/

• http://www.cyberbullying.us/

• http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/

• http://www.internetsuperheroes.org/cyberbullying/

Online Frauds and Scams

• Phishing: an attempt to masquerade as a legitimate website in an attempt to gain personal information about someone and use it against them (often used for financial identity theft)

• Spam: an unsolicited email, instant message, or online post attempting to lure people into trying or buying some service or product (often used by pornography sites)

Avoiding the Scams

• Never click on ad banners on sites you visit

• Never click on any attachment or link in an email if it came from someone you do not know

• Check the message header of a suspicious email to see where it really came from: http://vww.spamcop.com/help_with_headers/

• Check carefully for spelling errors and misleading Internet addresses (I.e., irs.com instead of irs.gov)

Evaluate Sites for Your Family

• Use this site to help guide your security journey, also: http://kids.getnetwise.org/tools/

• Also try the many reviews at https://www.commonsensemedia.org - excellent source for families to see what’s good and what’s bad online and in the media

Downloading Music and Files

• Download only from trusted, legal sources, like iTunes or Amazon.com

• Never post material that others have created online without their permission

• Never present another’s work as your own

• Plagiarism is a serious offense that can get you in trouble with school and with the law

Safe-Surfing Contract

• A parent-child contract that teaches responsibility and reinforces smart Internet behavior

• http://www.internetsuperheroes.org/cyberbullying/adult/contract_regular.html

• Print it off and go over it with your child, make sure she understands everything that is expected of her, then both of you sign it

Internet Safety Education

• Highly recommended site with materials and training for parents, kids, and law enforcement about Internet safety

• Teachers, parents, kids, and law enforcement can become certified iSafe instructors and mentors through this site for free

• Go to http://ilearn.isafe.org to sign up and access videos and other materials

Internet Safety Resources

• http://www.netsmartz.org/

• http://www.safekids.com/

• http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html

• http://www.wiredsafety.org/

• http://www.safeteens.com/

• http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

Copyright and Plagiarism Resources

• For Kids

• http://www.copyrightkids.org/

• http://www.richmond.k12.va.us/schools/jones/Copyright-Kids/

• For Parents, Teachers, and Law Enforcement

• http://www.rbs2.com/copyr.htm

• http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech121.shtml

• http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/dmca1.htm

Thank You!!

• Questions?