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Online Social Networking

Internet Security and Privacy

The anonymity and vastness of the internet means that there’s occasionally crime. Here are some ways to protect your and your family’s online security and privacy.

Be skeptical: Legitimate online businesses will never ask for your password over email or phone.
Don’t use your real name: Don’t create usernames that include real, identifying information, and don’t reveal your name in IM or chats with strangers.
Don’t reveal other identifying information: Never tell online strangers your address or phone number.
Use a firewall and security software: Security software and a firewall (see later in this section) will keep damaging data off of your network or computer.

Passwords

Your passwords provide an access barrier to those who might want to peek at your personal information. Whether for email, online banking, or a message board, it’s important that you create a secure password that no one can guess.

Make it hard to guess: Avoid common, easily guessed words such as your name, username, or street.
Make it long: Think of a word or phrase 6–10 characters long that’s still easy for you to remember.
Don’t recycle: Use each password for only one account.
Substitute numbers for letters: Swap out some of the letters in your password for numbers that look like them: for example, bayview becomes b4yv13w.
Change often: Change your passwords frequently.
Memorize: Keep passwords in your head, not on paper.

Cookies

A cookie is a small file that a website places on your computer so that the website can remember your preferences. For instance, the New York Times website uses a cookie to remember who you are and display a welcome message. Most cookies are harmless, but beware of third-party cookies, which advertisers dispatch to track your web-browsing habits. To prevent your browser from accepting third-party cookies:

IE: Go to Tools > Internet Options > Privacy. Click Advanced. Check “Override automatic cookie handling.” Under “Third-party Cookies,” select Block.
Firefox: Go to Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies to block cookies from specific sites.
Safari: Go to Safari > Preferences, then to the Security panel. Under Accept Cookies, select “Only from sites you navigate to.”

Popups and How to Block Them

A popup is a browser window that opens without your permission. Similarly, popunders are unwanted windows that hide behind your main browser window, only to be discovered when you close it. These windows are usually ads—you can block them by setting your browser’s preferences.

IE: The latest versions of IE include a built-in popup blocker. To edit your popup-blocking preferences, go to Tools > Internet Options, and click the Privacy tab.
Firefox: Firefox blocks popups by default and displays a message each time it does. To edit popup preferences, click that message directly, or go to Tools > Options, then to the Content pane. Click the Exceptions button to add sites for which you don’t mind popups.

Phishing

Phishing is a practice in which thieves use email or IM to trick you into revealing personal information, such as your credit card number or bank login. Never reveal sensitive personal information via email or IM. Be skeptical of any emails that lead to a web page in which you’re asked to enter your password. Agents authorized to collect this information, such as your ISP or bank, will never ask for it in this way.

Viruses and Worms

Viruses and worms are destructive programs installed on your computer without your permission. They are often spread via email attachments, but can also spread without a transmittal medium like email. They are self-replicating and will send copies of themselves to everyone in your email address book.

Luckily, you can avoid both viruses and worms with security software, such as McAfee Internet Security Suite (www.mcafee.com), Trend Micro Internet Security (www.trendmicro.com), or Norton Internet Security (www.symantec.com).

Firewalls

A firewall blocks harmful data from entering or leaving your computer or network. A firewall can be physical hardware, such as a router that screens network traffic, or software.

Router: A router with a built-in firewall should include NAT (network address translation) and SPI (stateful packet inspection). Or try a separate firewall unit such as AlphaShield (www.alphashield.com).
Software firewall on a PC: Before you turn on your built-in software firewall in Windows XP, first install Microsoft’s Service Pack 2 (use the Windows Update feature to download the service pack if you don’t have it already). Then go to Start > Control Panel > Security Center > Windows Firewall. In the General tab, click the button beside “On (recommended)” and click OK.
Software firewall on a Mac: To turn on your Mac firewall, go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Security. Click the Firewall tab, then select “Set access for specific services and applications,” and add or block programs according to your preferences.

Spyware

Spyware, or adware, are sneaky little programs that monitor your computing habits and send that information back to an advertising or marketing company. Spyware often comes bundled with free software programs, such as games. Be sure to read the user agreement that accompanies any free download, to pick out the legal language that describes whether spyware is included in your download. Most internet security suites offer protection against spyware.

Protecting Your Kids

The internet can be a great resource for kids, providing the opportunity to do research, play games, and chat with friends. But some websites, services, and web-lurking people are inappropriate for kids. Talk to your kids about your expectations of their behavior—set ground rules and communicate regularly about what they’re doing online. You can also apply filters and set time limits using software such as NetNanny (www.netnanny.com), CyberSieve (www.cybersieve.com), or CyberPatrol (www.cyberpatrol.com). Many internet security software suites also include parental controls.

Acknowledgments & Disclaimer