Fraud Tip of the Day - October 4

Protect your children from online dangers

When protecting children from potential risks on the internet, not only do you need to keep them safe, but you need to keep their computer and data protected as well. By using a few easy steps, these risks can be greatly reduced:

• The computer your child is using should be in an open, well traveled place - like a living room or kitchen. Make sure you're alert to all the computers your child has access to.
  
  
• Be open with your children regarding guidelines and expectations for computer use. Post bulleted highlights of these next to the computer, in plain view of the user.
  
  
• Participate in online usage with your children. Make it a dialog where you show them what you use it for and have them demonstrate what they use it for. Keep the lines of communication open.
  
  
• In conjunction with your parental oversight, install and set parental controls. These can come from your ISP or from any well known off the shelf product.
  
  
• Some parental controls can be set within your browser. Internet Explorer gives you the option to restrict or allow certain web sites from being accessed by your computer. These settings can be password protected. Select Tools on your Internet Explorer menu bar, select Internet Options, left click on the Content tab, and select the Enable button under Content Advisor.
  
  
• Consider purchasing and installing software that permits you to observe your children's email and web traffic, like eBlaster's Spector Pro Software (http://www.eblaster.com/)
  
  
• Use your operating system to create separate accounts for each user. By giving your child a separate account you decrease the chances of accidently having files modified or deleted. Access and privileges can also be controlled and modified as needed.
  
  
• Block your children's ability to chat or instant message. When you think they're ready for this type of activity, monitor their chats and messages. It's important to know who their online friends are.
  
  
• Be clear and firm with your children that personal information is not to be given out to anyone in chat rooms, message boards, forums, etc... It's in everyone's best interest.
  
  
• If you think your child or a child you know may be in trouble, go to www.getnetwise.org for detailed information on how you can help. If the danger is immediate, make a call to 911 immediately. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has a cyber tip line. Visit their website for more information - http://www.missingkids.com/

Even though you think your child has superior technical skills than you, don't assume they're sensitive to online dangers. Kids require advice, guidance, and protection. Make yourself approachable so that if something does happen, your kids know they can count on you for help answering questions they may have about issues or behaviors encountered on the computer.

Internet Scams

Avoid internet scams and protect yourself and your family by learning the tricks scammers use on the 'net.