Stop, Think, Click (01-17-11)

This week we had a very useful and informative program for our K-12 students. More than once, I heard that the information presented would be equally good for parents. So, parents, here you go.

The program is called “Net Smartz” and travels through Kansas giving presentations on Internet Safety for all age levels. It is run by the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Manhattan and has been providing their pertinent program for more than a decade.

They left me with a booklet called, “Stop, Think, and Click: 7 Practices for Safer Computing.” Here are the highlights:

1. Protect your personal information. The presenter emphasized this statement repeatedly in her talk with the kids. Basically, it just means to not share your real name, address, phone, or other information with anyone you don’t know personally. When shopping on-line, be sure the website is secure before divulging credit card info.
2. Know who you’re dealing with. The basic premise for all Internet safety is to be aware of possible fraud or theft. The booklet advises awareness against “phishers,” who are fraudsters who send fake emails or pop up messages looking to get personal or financial information. See practice #1: protect!
3. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software as well as a firewall, and update them regularly. Luckily most new computers come with these things preinstalled and the most update automatically. Some unscrupulous Internet predators search the net for unprotected computers that they can control anonymously. You also need to beware of spyware, which are programs that monitor keystrokes. Sluggish computer performance can often result. Finally, never open an email attachment unless you are certain where it came from.
4. Set up your operating system and web browser properly and update them regularly. Basically, updates are often written to counter the latest tricks and schemes of hackers, so installing updates is critical in staying one step ahead.
5. Protect your passwords. One piece of advice that I found interesting pertained to creating strong passwords. The booklet suggested thinking of a memorable phrase and using the first letter of each word as your password. For example, “How much wood can a woodchuck chuck” becomes “hmwcawcc.” If you replace some letters with symbols or letters that can represent them, your passwords becomes even stronger, such as replacing the “a” in the example with “@”, creating, “hmwc@wcc.” A very strong password.
6. Back up important files. This is always good practice whether you’re talking about net safety or just good computer practice.
7. Learn who to contact if something goes wrong online. There are a variety of federal websites designed to help in the case of fraud or theft. They include the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov, and an email to where you can forward spam (unwanted email): spam@uce.gov.

Along with these seven tips, the booklet gave “Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens on Social Networking,” “Advice for Online Shopping,” what to know about online auctions and wireless security, and provided a nice glossary of terms related to all things “on-line.”

If you would like to read the “Stop, Think, Click,” please contact the grade school.