Generation

This well written article describes the i Generation, children born between 1995 and 2012. They have grown up with smartphones, have an Instagram account before they start high school, and do not remember a time before the internet. The impact that smartphones have had on their lives is significant. Here is the link to the full article; in my opinion a worthwhile read.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/

Some advice for home Internet security

These two posters may be helpful to you.

https://securingthehuman.sans.org/media/resources/STH-Poster-CyberSecureHome-Print.pdf

https://www.sans.org/security-resources/posters/hooked/85/download

Keeping your machine safe!

How does ransomware get on your computer?

by Justin Richter 

You can get ransomware if you click on malicious internet links, download malicious files, open infected email attachments or from a USB stick.

Precautions against ransomware attacks

Awareness is the best way to avoid any ransomware attacks,

1. Keep Windows Operating Systems up-to-date. – run windows updates!
2. Always back-up your important data in an external hard-drive or cloud storage such as OneDrive or Drobox
3. Enable system protection or File History (restore points)
4. Thoroughly check your emails before opening any attachments! Why did I receive this, who is it from?
5. Where possible, disable the loading of macros in your Office programs.
6. Disable your Remote Desktop feature whenever possible.
7. Use two-factor authentication for your Gmail and windows accounts.
8. Avoid browsing websites that are often the breeding grounds for malware such as illegal download sites, porn sites and gambling sites.
9. Use, and regularly update F-secure!
10. Have a pop-up blocker installed in your browser

Common ways a PC or laptop get infected (virus/Malware/Spyware)

 -  User accepting installation prompts without reading

an Internet advert or window pops-up that says your computer is infected with a virus and needs to scan or that software is required for you to install in order to download something. You accept the prompt.

-  When you’re installing ‘free software’ that you obtained from the internet and it has check-boxes already checked to install additional applications bundled with your download. You accept the prompt.

- Visiting / Downloading software/movies/music/pictures from unreliable or illegal sources

Many modern viruses can be hard-coded into the website data which is downloaded into your temporary internet files automatically just by loading the webpage.

- Opening email attachments without knowing who they are from and why you have been sent them.  Double check the sender’s email address and confirm that the mail is relevant.

- Plugging infected USB sticks and external hard drives into your laptop without scanning them first.

Malware - Malware is the blanket term for all malicious software designed to disrupt, damage or steal from a computer system (viruses, spyware and ransomware).

Spyware - software that enables a user to obtain covert access to information and functions.

Ransomware - a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. 

Free, multimedia Internet safety presentations

We live in a digital age and our children are exposed to so much. NetSmartz offers free, multimedia Internet safety presentations tailored for specific audiences – parents and communities, tweens, teens, and younger children. Visit their site - there's some great material posted there.

Internet Security and Safety

At a recent staff PD session we discussed Internet security and safety. The below videos give some insight to the dangers we face should we not take the necessary electronic precautions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk2RPOBpZvc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1F8sHjCBx0

Stay safe on public Wi-Fi 

1) Only join trusted networks and then be sensible about what you do while away and online

2) Make sure your Firewall is on

3) Turn off file sharing 

4) Avoid using specific websites on public Wi-Fi  ( Banking and personal (Facebook, Twitter, webmail) sites are most at risk since these are the type of websites hackers want access to )

5) Turn off Wi-Fi when you are not using it.

Some other things to remember

• Have a proper password - at least 8 Characters long; includes numbers, capitals and symbols e.g. eX@mpl3! How safe is your password? https://howsecureismypassword.net/
• Keep your operating software and programmes up to date. These updates patch vulnerabilities within the operating system and guard your machine against exploits. 
• Make sure your machine is adequately protected against viruses. We use FSecure at the school and can highly recommend it.

Be aware of...

Saving Credentials: You should perhaps only use auto-complete and save your credentials on your own device i.e. don’t do this on any machine that is not your own  

Pros 

• Remembering login credentials for you is convenient 
• Absolutely safe to do for non-critical sites e.g. No banking sites 

Cons 

• Credit card numbers, email addresses, passwords and usernames can become vulnerable to attacks 
• You're likely to forget your passwords if you never have to type them in If you leave your laptop unattended and unlocked, then anyone can retrieve your saved passwords 
• Fake websites can fool your browser into providing stored login and form data

Ad blocking to prevent click-bait
Install Ad Block Plus plugin for your browsers – Ad block Plus blocks those annoying and maliciously deceptive advertisements found on many of the most popular websites today making browsing faster and safer.

- Adblockplus is available on Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.

Common ways a PC or laptop get infected (virus/Malware/Spyware)

• Accepting installation prompts without reading (An Internet advert or window pops-up that says your computer is infected with a virus and needs to scan or that software is required for you to install in order to download something. Or you agree to ‘free software’ that has check-boxes already checked to install additional applications bundled with your download. DON'T accept such prompts. )
• Visiting / Downloading software/movies/music/pictures from unreliable or illegal sources (Many modern viruses can be hard-coded into the website data which is downloaded into your temporary internet files automatically just by loading the webpage.) 
• Opening email attachments without knowing who they are from and why you have been sent them. Always double check the sender’s email address and confirm that the mail is relevant. 
• Plugging infected USB sticks and external hard drives into your laptop without scanning them first.

Cyber Savvy - things Parents, Pupils and Teachers should be aware of

Digital Citizenship is the combination of technical and social skills that equip people to live and work in our  highly technical, modern world. Digital literacy is an essential component in raising confident, connected, and actively involved life long learners.





The below site provides some useful links to things we may already understand but may need more information about http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/05/a-must-have-list-of-resources-on.html

Internet and technology concerns

Last night many of us attended the presentation on cyber safety at the Prep. There are many perspectives on how to deal with technology access and loads of wonderful tools to help younger children from accidentally stumbling upon unsuitable and harmful material. 

One example is Youtube Safety. Another example is K9 Browser, a safe way for your sons to browse the Internet. Mobiflock is another tool that parents may want to use. We have put together a site that addresses some of the issues around online safety and offers tips on digital citizenship. 

Parents often share with me their concerns regarding their son’s technology usage at home. My advice is always that you talk to your sons and build a trust relationship. Set the parameters - up front - about what reasonable and appropriate technology usage means in your home. One parent told me that before he gave his son his phone they had agreed that he, as the parent and technology sponsor, had the right to ask his son to make his phone / iPad / laptop available for a spot check that they would do together. It worked both for the parent who was comfortable that he had retained some control and for the son, whose privacy was respected and sense of responsibility and independence acknowledged. Do not forget that you control the Internet connection in your home! I came across the image above. Perhaps give that a try?

Facebook

This site offers recommendations for Facebook setting for teenagers. Talk about what it means to have a digital profile and to think before you post.

What is Digital Citizenship?

The Definition of Digital Citizenship

Read this article from TeachThought

Cyber Bullying

'Let’s Fight It Together' is a short film, created by Childnet, to raise awareness about Cyber Bullying and to provide a starting point for discussions about the various related issues.

There are some posting guidelines we may like to encourage:
Before you post, you should T H I N K

• Is it TRUE?
• Is it HELPFUL rather than HURTFUL?
• Is it INTERESTING or INSPIRATIONAL?
• Is it NECESSARY / NICE?
• Is it KIND?

Another great site to visit is http://www.cyberbullying.org/. The site offers loads of resources that give insight to what young people may face online.

You may also want to look at Childline. This site is aimed at children to answer questions they may have about cyber bullying or to offer support in addition to other support they may be given at home or at school.

Stop cyber bullying is great for helping tutors / parents approach the subject with young people. There are age-appropriate section.

Pornography

I think the thing which scares most parents of boys (especially mothers) the most when their son gets a laptop is the increased potential for their sons to watch pornography. Of course many boys have had the ability to find pornography on an unattended family computer or on their phone for some time already but the owning of a laptop certainly does increase the ease with which he can access it. Adding to the potential problem is that for many 14 year-old boys the body has begun to change and with it the desires around the opposite sex and sex. This can be exciting and confusing all at the same time (Some might argue that sex stays exciting and confusing for the next 70 years!).

“What can I do to protect my teenager?” is a question we get asked often. When it is asked the person is usually imagining getting advice around software to limit, or monitor access to pornography sites or ways to check what their son has been watching, or limiting when he can be alone with his machine etc. It can be frustrating but the answer educators almost always give is one about communication. That is engaging with one’s son about what you think about pornography morally, as a danger to future healthy relationships with women, the danger of looking for increasingly depraved material and as a potential time-waster at a crucial time in his development/education. Making clear what your expectations of him are around pornography and what strategies he might adopt to stop himself indulging in it when tempted. You may like to threaten him with consequences of being caught by you – although the only one which may have an impact is, “I will tell your mother!”. Most boys really would not like their mother to know if they gave in to this temptation. However, it is unlikely that any threats will work and they are likely to make open discussion hard and therefore be counterproductive. A level of trust is needed. It is very likely that your son will look at pornography. What he needs to have in his head is the voice of his parents or other caring adults which are encouraging him to turn away both for moral reasons and for his own development as a self-controlled man.

Of course a family can put in various controls on internet access. Certainly with younger children this is a good idea to help protect a child from inadvertently coming across pornography. With older boys this is less effective but it does say something to him about what is important in his home. One such option is www.opendns.com. You change settings on your home router and then you can manage access via their website. No software needs to be installed on any computers but you may need someone technical from your ISP to assist you. I would not recommend putting any special software on your son’s computer but that is a family decision.

I think the software route is certainly an option but it should not be in place of discussions between you and your son. He will be far safer if you are talking to him and listening to him than if you are simply trying to restrict him. He can access pornography easily from friends and probably in ways you have not realised yet. I believe our main job as parents around this issue is to help our sons make right choices and live a healthy lifestyle. This will help him long after he has left the protective cocoon of the home. I wish you all the best as you help you son to grow up into a fine young man who will makes wise choices about how he lives.

Peter Westwood

Cyberbullying and On-line Relationships - Advice for Parents

The information for this post has been sourced from www.commonsense.org, a website that provides resources for teaching Digital Literacy and responsible online citizenship to students.
It also contains useful information to parents about online safety for their children and advice on how to engage your children in conversations about their online image and cybersafety.

I recommend that you take a look at the content of this site to help you as parents become more informed on this often sensitive topic.

Teaching Digital Literacy

Turn wired students into great Digital Citizens

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators

Get all the tools you need with our FREE Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum and Parent Media Education Program. The relevant, ready-to-use instruction helps you guide students to make safe, smart, and ethical decisions in the digital world where they live, study and play.  ...

read more

Common sense Media - Digital Literacy Programme

Use our new Scope & Sequence tool to find the lessons that are just right for your classroom. These cross-curriculular units spiral to address digital literacy and citizenship topics in an age appropriate way. Browse by grade band or click a category to highlight the lessons that address that topic. You can download a PDF of the new Scope & Sequence here. Read more about the recent updates to the curriculum in our blog.

Online Resources for Educators

www.commonsense.org/educators

Online awareness

http://learnitin5.com/Digital-Classroom-Strategies

Internet Safety
http://learnitin5.com/Digital-Classroom-Strategies
Thursday, October 18, 2012

Teaching students about their online identity

Do your students realize how vulnerable they are, when using the Internet and social media? Are you teaching them appropriate use? The guest post below, featuring the video above, is an excellent resource to share with students.
What a 'Mind Reader' Can Learn About Your Online Identity

Q: "When does your personal online identity become fair game to mind readers and Internet thieves alike?"
A: "When you share too much personal information irresponsibly on the web."

This point was made quite clear in recent weeks, when an Internet awareness video (above) went viral, featuring a Belgian mind reader holding court in a tent in Brussels.

The mind reader 'Dave' startled people with his clairvoyant insights into their personal lives. He told them secrets that they never would have expected to hear from a stranger about their personal lives. He told young woman about the tattoos on their lower backs; he surprised a young man by revealing the asking price of the house he's trying to sell. Another woman was shocked to hear that 'Dave' knew her bank account was overdrawn. How was he doing that?

Near the end of each person's 'mind reading,' the interior tent sides dropped to reveal a group of black-clad computer hackers working to unveil information made public by the person all over the Internet. From Facebook status updates, YouTube videos, Twitter posts and more, each person's information was displayed on large monitor screens. The people in the tent were both amazed and shocked to learn that all of the information that 'Dave' knew about them was in fact provided willingly by them on the web.

In fact, 'Dave' was an actor, a good one at that. And the point was made that hackers and Internet thieves can get to know you, through the personal information you leave behind on Internet sites. Here is the full video below. Read down further for tips protecting yourself against Internet theft.
For over a decade, identity theft has been the most reported consumer complaint in the U.S., according to the Federal Trade Commission. Internet security firm Lifelock reports that in 2011, nearly 12 million U.S. adults claimed identity fraud. This fraud cost amounted to about $18 billion in damages to consumers and businesses, according to researchers.

So how can you protect yourself against Internet theft and cyber robbery? October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and web security experts recommend the following tips to help you maintain an impenetrable online defense.

Maintain High Security

Many companies offer online security fixes for your PC and mobile devices. Use them frequently and keep them updated. Internet theft prevention companies like Lifelock recommend that having the latest security software and opting in for an online monitoring service are your best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.

Limit Password Sharing

Create and remember unique password settings for all of your devices. Don't share these passwords with strangers. Keep an offline record of your passwords. Limit the numbers of persons with whom you share information.

Passwords

Experts suggest using both capital and lowercase letters combined with numbers and symbols for more secure passwords. Use different passwords for each account you own online.

Secure Web-Connected Devices

Along with computers, smart phones, gaming systems, and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.

Be Smart About Wi-Fi

Don't check your personal bank accounts at local coffee shops. Be smart about using public Wi-Fi access. Some suggest that using your phone's 3G or 4G network is safer than public servers.
Using these tips above can help you keep your online identity away from 'mind readers' like 'Dave' and keep you personal sanity strong.

by Amy Coleman 

Internet Safety

With the increase in the number of personal devices able to connect to the internet via school wireless, home networks or 3G, it impossible to effectively restrict the sites that our children visit, what they post or who they talk to. Even if we could restrict access, there are a gazillion other ways that they young people can make undesirable connections or view unsavory content.

Parents are not only concerned about the content their children have access to. They are also concerned about the length of time their children spend glued to their various devices. As a school it is impossible to govern what happens outside of the classroom. Each family will have to decide on what feels comfortable for them in terms of setting boundaries for Internet and computing access – where their children have access, the sort of access and the duration of access.

As a school we look to our parents to partner us in empowering their children with the knowledge and skills they need to be safe and have positive Internet experiences. We offer guidance on how to create a positive digital footprint, how to recognise potential internet risks and how to avoid exploitation or victimisation. The linked resources below offer great advice. Please discuss Internet safety and responsibility with your children.

Useful Site: http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents

Some important topics include:

• Cell phones and safety
• Bullying 
• Chats and Emails
• Internet safety
• Privacy 
• Social networking 
• Online predators 
• Creating the right sort of digital footprint

Useful links: http://www.webwisekids.org/parents-teachers-helpful-links.html