Data Privacy Day: Tips to Protect Your Online Information
by Sue Scheff on Jan 28, 2012
January 28th is Data Privacy Day, who knew! It seems we have a day for so many different things, however I believe that everyday people should be concerned about their privacy and especially their teens and kids informational online. What are they putting out that there that they don’t realize could potentially put them at risk later?
Special guest post by privacy expert, Rebecca Herold.
Rebecca Herold, a Des Moines-based privacy expert, better known as The Privacy Professor explains with the rapid growth of technology, people should be more cautious about what they share.
“Too many folks adopt new technology without fully understanding how it may be capturing or distributing their personal, private information,” she said in a press release. “Whether it’s a smartphone tracking their location or social media sites repurposing their personal photos, often people are simply unaware of what’s being collected and how or with whom it’s being shared. People should continue to be concerned with ‘old-fashioned’ threats like phone scams and crooks digging through trash to find personal information on discarded paper documents and digital storage devices.”
Here are some of Rebecca Herold’s smart tips to help keep your information safe and private:
- Read the privacy policy of websites you visit the most. Search for the word “share” and see if the website is open about how it distributes your personal information to others.
- Double check privacy settings on social media sites such as Facebook. Read about its new changes and ensure it only shares what you want it to. Read about past Facebook privacy issues here.
- Review people connected to you. Ensure you only provide access to your personal profile to people you trust and know well.
- Don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t want the whole world to see. Information may be private between you and your friends but friends can repost statuses and other information with/without your consent.
- Secure your personal wireless connections.
- Invest in a shredder to shred financial or other documents before tossing them.
You can follow Rebecca Herold on Twitter and visit her website.
Most important, talk to your teens about what they are sharing online. The fact that most college admissions and employees are using the Internet to screen their potential applicants can determine your child’s future. Teen’s need to understand what goes online today, WILL be there tomorrow. It may be funny today, and not so funny two years from now.
Tags: Cyber Safety, Data Privacy Day, Internet Safety, Online Safety, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Privacy Online, Privacy Professor, Rebecca Herold, Teen Help
Cybertraps for the Young: Who is Protecting Your Kids?
by Sue Scheff on Dec 29, 2011
I was recently introduced to this book and have to share it with everyone. As technology and social networking expands, so does digital dangers. I am a big believer that education is the key to prevention.
When parents say that they are going to remove their teen’s computer, take away their cell phone – or have their teen delete their Facebook – it is almost comical. Do they actually think a teen is not savvy enough to create a new page, borrow a friends phone or even go to an Internet cafe or library? Parents, you always need to be a step ahead of your kids – you need to show your kids the dangers – the risks – the pitfalls – so they don’t get tangled in the web! Here is a good start…..
Order today!
Cybertraps for the Young
by Frederick S. Lane
‘SEXT EDUCATION’ AND ‘CYBERETHICS’:
WHAT EVERY PARENT MUST KNOW ABOUT
THE TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITIES OF CHILDREN
—Leading expert on emerging technology breaks down the implications of technology misuse amongst teens and provides tips on how to monitor online activity in new book
Just how ‘connected’ are today’s youth?
- The average child possesses their first cell phone before age 10
- In October 2010, 43% of teen cell phone users reported that their primary reason for having a phone was to text message friends
- Roughly 50% of teens in the U.S. use Facebook
- 81% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 own at least one gaming console
- 23% of children under 5 regularly use the Internet
With fast downloads, mass file sharing, instant uploads, and lightning-fast Internet searches available at the click of a button, a host of new technologies—cell phones, gaming systems, laptops, tablets, and digital cameras—are helping teens commit irrevocable mistakes. As today’s youth continues to be a targeted consumer audience for emerging technology, it is increasingly critical for parents and educators to identify, understand, and discuss the consequences of technology misuse with children.
In his new book, Cybertraps for the Young, attorney and computer forensics expert Frederick Lane describes the most prevalent cybertraps confronting children today. After outlining the legal consequences which can result from inappropriate online behavior, he provides parents with insightful strategies for discussing safe and ethical technology use with their children.
“Cyber responsibility starts at home and, now more than ever, it’s crucial parents have regular conversations with their kids about online safety,” Lane says. “Children should not get access to powerful communication tools until they understand the risks associated with them.”
Unlike other books on new technologies, Cybertraps for the Young focuses on the serious personal and legal consequences children may face as a result of their online behavior. From the most common and easily triggered cybertraps, including those arising from new tools like the iPhone’s new live video chat capability, “Face Time,” to lesser-known risks like peer-to-peer file sharing, Lane offers a candid look at how schools, law enforcement agents, and state and federal prosecutors are taking increasingly tough stands against young offenders. Drawing on contemporary news stories, case studies, and personal courtroom experiences, Lane provides a startling investigation of the numerous cybertraps that continue to dominate today’s headlines: oversharing personal information, plagiarism and high-tech cheating, cyberbullying and cyber harassment, libel and slander, hacking, sexting and sextortion, and child pornography on Peer-to-Peer networks.
In addition to the analysis of the cybertraps for parents, Lane stresses the need to incorporate cybersafety and cyberethics lessons into the American education system. Backed by his decade on the Burlington School Board in Vermont, Lane provides tips to parents on how to approach their local school districts and advocate for cyberethics education at all grade levels.
“We emphasize the practice of safe sex in sex education; we teach gun safety as a prerequisite for a hunting license; and we teach auto safety in driver’s education,” notes Lane. “As technology continues to advance, cyberethics should be a staple in the school curricula.”
In this first book of its kind, Lane delves into:
- The capabilities of emerging technology, including camera cell phones, gaming systems, tablets, live video chat, and digital cameras, among others
- How and when to start educating children about cyberethics and potential cybertraps
- How to monitor children’s online activity—both by physically tracking their conduct and by using monitoring tools and software
- The legal and personal consequences of specific cybertraps, including sexting, cyber-bullying, and hacking
- What parents can do to notify their school districts and state legislatures about the need for cyber education
About the author:
Frederick Lane is an author, attorney, expert witness, and professional speaker on the legal and cultural implications of emerging technology. A 1988 graduate of Boston College Law School, Lane practiced law for five years before launching his own computer consulting business, a career move which ultimately led him to his current work as a writer, lecturer, and computer forensics expert. Over the past 12 years, Lane has worked on a wide variety of criminal cases, including copyright infringement, stalking, embezzlement, theft of intellectual property, obscenity, and child pornography.
In addition to his professional background, Lane has served on the Burlington School Board in Vermont since October 2001 and served as chairman of the Board for the past two years. He is the author of 5 highly acclaimed books, a number of which deal with technology boundaries. Lane is also the father of two teenage boys.
For more information about Frederick Lane and Cybertraps for the Young, please visit www.cybertrapsfortheyoung.com or www.FrederickLane.com. Cybertraps for the Young will be available on ntiupstream.com or on Amazon.
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Cybertraps for the Young, Internet Safety, Online Safety, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Books, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Sexting, Social Networking, Teen Help
Sexting: What is it, and Should Parents be Worried?
by Sue Scheff on Dec 17, 2011
Online safety of teens and kids of all ages is a priority as well as cell phone safety. This brings us to a very hot topic which a guest writer has asked me to post his recent article to help parents understand how important it is to understand what sexting is and how they can take steps to help keep their children safe virtually.
Sexting has become a recent trend with mobile users, as nearly 40% of teens reporting sexting at least once or consistently. Sexting is when one person sends a nude, or sexually suggestive picture/text of themselves to another person or a group. The consequences of sexting range from nothing, to serious. For parents, the worries are real and dangerous.
Child Pornography
The primary concern for parents is sexting that involves suggestive photos, especially nudes. Several teens have been charged with ownership of child pornography. That’s because even if two students under age 18 are dating, possession of nude photos of individuals under the age of 18 constitutes child pornography. In some cases, teens who have snapped pictures of themselves have been charged with “manufacturing, disseminating or possessing child pornography.” Those receiving the pictures have faced, and been sentenced, to charges of possession. Convictions lead to life-long registration on sexual offender lists.
Digital World
Once the pictures have been taken, parents have more issues to worry about, namely digital records. After pictures have been taken digitally, they immediately enter a digital world where they can become permanent. One person can send the picture to another and so on until it’s been shared across the digital world. It can all start with one phone. With chat rooms and other websites, it’s easy for pedophiles and other predators to misrepresent age, sex, and location. Teens and kids are constantly connected to the web. Not only can those pictures make their way to illegal websites, they can also make their way to strangers.
Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and other social media sites are like online directories for everyone and anyone. It can be easy anyone to assume a false identity. With a couple clicks on the phone, a picture gets into the hands of the wrong person.
Psychological Factors
There are many reasons why teens take part in sexting and most of them are a new take on the old world of flirting and courting. Many teens send the texts as flirtatious messages, to boost popularity, or because of peer pressure. They can also include forms of sexual harassment, or bullying.
The ramifications for of this are undocumented in terms of sexting, but the potential psychological issues of self-esteem are wide and concerning. Adolescents and teens are entering a stage of life where body-image and self-esteem are developing. Bullying, harassment, and derogatory comments can degrade and damage morale. The effects of this can last for years or decades.
By sexting, teens put their bodies out there to be judged and critiqued. While their bodies may be healthy, teens use any chances to tease or insult another, especially if it means a chance to elevate themselves in a social clique, or in popularity. The self-esteem issues created by pictures, or suggestive language, being misconstrued, getting into unwanted hands or from unwarranted comments, can devastate teens and lead to suicide.
Cautionary Steps
Beyond eliminating and forbidding the use of all digital devices, there are other measures that parents can take to protect their teens.
The first is establishing a good relationship. Studies consistently show that parents who foster good relationships with their children have more influence on them than the media or peer pressure.
A strong relationship makes it easier for parents to approach kids about sexting and its consequences. Being honest with children about the potential legal consequences, psychological factors, and personal ethics and morals behind sexting is a good way to help them understand its seriousness.
To instill that seriousness, parents should monitor their child’s activities and friends. Much of sexting in teenagers is caused by peer pressure or social interactions. Supporting them in making the right decisions, and spending less time from those who are sexting, may be the best way to keep them safe.
Special contributor: Steven Farrell is the administrator of ReversePhoneLookup.org, the best reverse phone directory online.
Tags: Cell Phone Safety, Cyber Safety, Internet Safety, Online Privacy, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Sexting, Texting
Cyberstalkers, Cyberbullets, Cyberlife – It is your reality today – Be sure you are protected
by Sue Scheff on Dec 11, 2011
Many know that I was a victim and survivor of a malicious cyber-attack. I called it Internet terrorism, with no disrespect to the terrorism in our world today. Same as I consider Internet defamation and being cyberstalked a form of being emotionally raped – I am not attempting to make light of women who are psychically raped. We are in a new digital world where words not only hurt – they kill. They can ruin lives – they can destroy careers and they can bankrupt a family.
I know all this first hand since it almost happened to me.
If you don’t protect it who will? Your BFF today could become your foe tomorrow. Your spouse today could be your ex next week. What will happen if they decide that e-Venge is easier than revenge? Remember the Internet never forgets!
What is cyberstalking? What is a Google bomb? What is this crazy thing calling cyber defamation?
CYBER-HAWKS THAT STALK: A new HEIGHT of cybercrimes, stalking, stolen identities, cyber-corruption and criminal predators with a keypad
Do you believe your online image, reputation and character are protected? Firewalls broken – hackers hacking – and you are now virtually invaded! Learn from my $11M defamation verdict that changed Internet Culture.
Google Bomb (n) or “link bomb”: Internet slang for a certain kind of attempt to raise the ranking of a given page in results from a Google search. (Wikipedia)
I was a regular person who found out in the most evil way what slander awaited her in cyberspace. My organization, reputation, and identity were stolen, livelihood ruined, her mental health threatened after viral defamatory statements emerged. I was hit with a Google bomb.
Like an epidemic, Google bombs are the latest lethal legal weapon to destroy character and reputations. Our First Lady was hit. No one is immune. We must be proactive in maintaining our virtual profile.
Still standing and thriving after all she endured both personally and professionally, Scheff now helps others understand the depths of the Internet and what happens when revenge turns to e-venge.
IN THE NEWS: Over 400 newspapers have featured this landmark case. Including a 4-Part LA Times Series, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, AARP, and many more. Here are snippets of my advice on how to protect your image:
- Wall Street Journal “Until you go through a vengeful attack on your good name, service or business, you have no idea what a Google bomb can do to you.”
- AARP- “Limit the amount of information you provide on the Internet,” she now advises others. “The Internet is not only an educational tool, it can be a lethal weapon,”
- Washington Post –“if you don’t own your own name, someone else will.”
- Family Circle – “Use extreme caution…Whatever you say in the kitchen goes into your kid’s ears and can come out on the computer screen – and go viral!”
- LA Times – “We need very real repercussions for violating a reporter’s privacy in a motel room with a peep camera for mass voyeuristic consumption.”
- LA Times – “The malicious stroke of a key has become the equivalent of a cyberbullet.”
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Cyberstalking, Google Bomb Book, Internet Defamation, Internet Gossip, Internet Law, Internet Safety, Internet Slander, Online Safety, Sue Scheff
What did your teen say? Do you know Teen Text Talk?
by Sue Scheff on Oct 14, 2011
What did they say?
Whether it is texting, instant messaging, or social networking – do you really know what your teenager is saying? They seem to have their own language and codes for things parents may not approve of.
One of my favorite new sites is Enough is Enough! And how many times as parents do we say this?
Do you feel overwhelmed about protecting children from the dangers of the virtual world?
Who doesn’t?
When it comes to teens it can be more difficult and even more important to be a parent in the know.
Let’s start with 50 Acronyms Parents Should Know:
(Courtesy of Enough is Enough and NetLingo)
- 8 - Oral sex
- 1337 - Elite -or- leet -or- L337
- 143 - I love you
- 182 - I hate you
- 1174 - Nude club
- 420 - Marijuana
- 459 - I love you
- ADR - Address
- AEAP - As Early As Possible
- ALAP - As Late As Possible
- ASL - Age/Sex/Location
- CD9 - Code 9 – it means parents are around
- C-P - Sleepy
- F2F - Face-to-Face
- GNOC - Get Naked On Cam
- GYPO - Get Your Pants Off
- HAK - Hugs And Kisses
- ILU - I Love You
- IWSN - I Want Sex Now
- J/O - Jerking Off
- KOTL - Kiss On The Lips
- KFY -or- K4Y - Kiss For You
- KPC - Keeping Parents Clueless
- LMIRL - Let’s Meet In Real Life
- MOOS - Member Of The Opposite Sex
- MOSS - Member(s) Of The Same Sex
- MorF - Male or Female
- MOS - Mom Over Shoulder
- MPFB - My Personal F*** Buddy
- NALOPKT - Not A Lot Of People Know That
- NIFOC - Nude In Front Of The computer
- NMU - Not Much, You?
- P911 - Parent Alert
- PAL - Parents Are Listening
- PAW - Parents Are Watching
- PIR - Parent In Room
- POS - Parent Over Shoulder -or- Piece Of Sh**
- pron - porn
- Q2C - Quick To Cum
- RU/18 - Are You Over 18?
- RUMORF - Are You Male OR Female?
- RUH - Are You Horny?
- S2R - Send To Receive
- SorG - Straight or Gay
- TDTM - Talk Dirty To Me
- WTF - What The F***
- WUF - Where You From
- WYCM - Will You Call Me?
- WYRN - What’s Your Real Name?
- zerg - To gang up on someone
Be an educated parent – you will have safer teens!
Follow Enough is Enough on Twitter and Facebook.
Join me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter for more information and educational articles on parenting today’s teenagers.
Tags: Cyber Safety, Enough is Enough, Internet Safety, Net Lingo, Online Safety, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Sue Scheff, Teen Help, Teens Texting, Text Lingo
Identity Theft and Teens: National Protect Your Identity Week
by Sue Scheff on Oct 05, 2011
The protection of your family is amongst the things most important to you. But unfortunately, the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft is always present. Did you know there are many things people can do to minimize that risk both online and offline? That’s why I’m contacting you on behalf of the nonprofit, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) who has teamed up with the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Association of Triads to encourage your readers to fight identity theft by taking part in the 4th Annual Protect Your Identity Week, October 16-22.
Although it’s important for everyone to protect themselves from identity theft, a special emphasis is being placed on child identity theft protection this October. It’s scary that studies have shown children are 51 times more likely to have their Social Security numbers stolen than adults, with the theft going unnoticed for years. As a parent, we must arm ourselves with the resources and information needed to keep our family’s identities safe.
Here are a few of the many ways to get involved with PYIW this year:
- NFCC Member Agencies and supporting Coalition Members will offer free identity theft education and protection events in communities across the country this month, including workshops, cell phone recycling, and paper shredding powered by Cintas, a leader in document destruction. AllClear ID, a recognized expert in identity theft protection, will provide materials on ID theft education in general as well as tips specific to child identity theft. To find an event near you, check out this event map!
- Easy to follow tips, resources and a self-assessment ID Quiz to determine your own personal risk of identity theft are all available for your reference on the Protect Your ID Now website.
- Be sure to also read and share the First Steps For Victims section so that you will be prepared in case you’re the next victim.
- Finally, get involved with PYIW on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the blog at www.ProtectYourIDNow.org where tips and PYIW articles will be provided all throughout October.
Please join the fight by encouraging your friends, family, and readers to visit www.ProtectYourIDNow.org to learn more and get involved. I would be more than happy to provide you with any further information you may need and look forward to hearing from you.
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyber Security, Identity Theft, Online Safety, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Protect Your ID
Is Facebook Connected to STDs? Experts Say Yes
by Sue Scheff on Sep 14, 2011
As if Facebook wasn’t already a major concern for parents enough as it is—it’s a potential playground for child predators, could be filled with cyber bullies, and can be a haven for identity thieves and hackers— a new threat can now be added onto the list: sexually transmitted diseases. At least, that’s according to a team of Floridian health experts who blame the popular social networking site for a sudden spike of STDS among teens and young adults in the bay area.
The Seminole County Health Department announced late summer that because of the nature of the social networking site, teens are “ultimately” contracting STDs. In a nutshell, the health experts blamed the fact that teen Facebook users are too willing to trust the people they meet on Facebook and begin to develop pseudo and shallow relationships (after all it is rather difficult to establish strong/legitimate bonds with a person you’ve never met or don’t interact with in person on a daily basis). This false sense of trust prompts teens to meet their new friends in person which often results in a casual sexual experience. If things don’t work out, teens are able to “get over” their partner and move on to the next, health experts say. This constant jump from casual sexual partner to the next is what results in a higher rate of STDs, according to the experts’ findings.
While the Floridian health experts do make some relevant points (not mention that the site does make it easy for teens to exchange sexually explicit private messages and post seductive and suggested photos) the site can’t be entirely blamed for increasing STDs. After all, practicing unsafe sex is what really causes STDS. Thus it’s important that parents take the initiative to educate their children and have that dreaded talk of the birds and the bees, no matter how hard it may be. It may also be a good idea to monitor your child’s Facebook activity. Some parents mandate for their children to “friend” them on Facebook so that they can keep track of their children’s postings and comments. But children are sneaky and can make sure that some information and images are blocked from their parents’ view. And then there some parents who just aren’t all that tech-savvy at all and don’t have a Facebook account.
That said, a better alternative is investing in some Facebook monitoring-software. There’s a few available on the market, but one of the newer ones that is easy to use is Zone Alarm Social Guard. It’s not terribly intrusive either, so it won’t really be like “spying”—you can’t actually read your child’s private messages or leave comments. How it works is that whenever your child uses a key word or is sent a private message or comment that uses an “alarming” word that may allude to cyber bullying, sex or suicide for example, an email is sent to you, the parent. It also warns you whenever your child “friends” a person that it much older than him or her. And it’s relatively cheap too, services are offered for only $20 a year.
By-line:
Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031 @gmail.com.
Tags: Cyberbullys, Facebook, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Sexual Predators, Sue Scheff, Teen Sex
Teen Secrets: Where Are Your Teens Going – Virtually?
by Sue Scheff on Jul 18, 2011
Do you know where your teen goes online?
Kids and especially teens are notorious for keeping secrets from their parents, and in today’s world of technology they have a whole new world of ways to keep secrets.
Since kids are also incredibly adept at learning and using modern technology and the following list may help you keep better track of what your child may be hiding.
- Surfing the Internet: Today, kids have almost unlimited access to computers, and now computers are small enough to carry, enabling access to the internet literally anywhere. This gives kids easy access to sites parents may disapprove of, not to mention “adult only” sites that only ask the user to click a link stating they are over 18 years of age. That’s an easy button to click if you want to keep secrets from parents. Close monitoring of your child’s computer history, password protection and parental blocks can keep your child away from inappropriate sites.
- Downloads: Kids love to download- anything they can: pictures, jokes, videos, etc. These downloads may be putting your computer at risk for viruses that could cause permanent damage. Parents need to know the source of any download and that it is safe, as well as keeping up-to-date antivirus protection on all computers.
- Music Downloads: What kind of music are your kids downloading and listening to? Even if the site is safe, the music might not be. Listen to the music downloads. If you are not able to understand the lyrics of the songs, you may want to check them out. You can find an internet music site that has song lyrics available to read. Be careful, though, if you do not allow your child to download certain titles, he/she will probably change the file name of the prohibited song to something allowable.
- Uploads: Kids are not very discerning when it comes to what others should or should not know about themselves, and their families. Find out what sorts of pictures, text and other files your child might be sharing on social networking sites or shared folders.
- Games: What games are your kids playing? Playstation, X-box, computer games, both individual and interactive-online are filled with violence and “adult” themes. Monitor the games your child buys or rents; most are labeled with age guidelines and parental notices. Also, monitor your child’s history with online games. Install a computer block that allows access to only approved sites.
- Friends: Kids have many friends. Some of them, they don’t even know. Facebook and other online social networking sites make it easy for children to fall prey to predatory abusers disguised as “friends.” If your child has a Facebook or other social networking accounts, make sure that you know their username and password, and check in on their activity once in awhile.
- Cell phone use: How much time your kids spend on the phone, when they are calling and who they are calling are important to know. Read the itemized portion of your bill each month to double check, and if there is a number you don’t recognize or don’t want your child accessing, have it blocked through your service carrier.
- Texting: With unlimited texting capabilities on cell phone plans, your kids can text anyone at any time, day or night. Parents need to know who they are texting and the language they are both reading and using while they are texting.
- Abbreviations: LOL, and CUL maybe be familiar “social” abbreviations, and ROLOFLMHO may be used by your kids without any qualms, but ROLOFLMAO might be offensive to some parents. Do you know the difference? Also, new abbreviations are added to the lexicon of technical communication on a daily basis. As a parent you need to be familiar with abbreviations so as to know what your kids are saying. You can check the internet for sites that list abbreviations and meanings.
- Plagiarism and cheating: That kids are able to access information which expedites learning in ways never before thought of, is a wonderful outcome of technology today. That kids can also use this information to cheat in ways never before thought of, isn’t.
Kids will be kids, and they will try to “get away” with anything they can; this will never change. But the world of technology changes every day, and if parents remain technologically savvy, kids will have to work very hard to continue keeping those secrets.
Source: Internet Providers
Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Teen tech secrets parents should know – Fort Lauderdale Parenting Teens | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/parenting-teens-in-fort-lauderdale/teen-tech-secrets-parents-should-know#ixzz1SSW3EIOz
Tags: At Risk Teens, Cyber Safety, Internet Safety, Online Safety, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Social Networking and Teens, Sue Scheff, Teen Help, Teen Issues, Teen Secrets
10 Ways the NSA is Working with ISP’s to Stop Cyberattacks
by Sue Scheff on Jul 09, 2011
Spy v spy is nothing new; Nathan Hale and Benedict Arnold were both spies during the American Revolution, and today’s cyber-world carries on the tradition. Disinformation, misinformation and sabotage are alive and well. Cyber-spies and agents provocateurs are hard at work trying to upset enemy apple-carts, and efforts to suppress these activities are largely unsuccessful.
America is constantly under attack, and the National Security Agency (NSA), America’s top intelligence network, has been working with Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) in attempts to foil cyber-attacks. Here are some of the ways the agency and ISP’s work together. Some ISP cooperation has been voluntary, but in many instances ISP’s have had little choice in the matter.
- Existing Cooperation Between NSA and ISP’s – AT&T and Verizon have been handing the NSA voice and data traffic for years; once illegal, laws have been changed to allow the practice. The Foreign Intelligence Security Act (FISA) of 1978 paved the way for greater government utilization of civilian companies and, eventually, ISP’s.
- CALEA – In 1994, Congress enacted a program called the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcements Act (CALEA), a program that required all providers of Internet service, including phone companies, ISP’s, colleges and even coffee shops to install equipment that would allow the government to monitor almost all Internet activity.
- The Patriot Act – In the fallout from the 9/11 attacks, warrantless surveillance was introduced, and even though opposing voices were raised there was enough fear of additional attacks that the program was enacted without effective judicial review, and the Bush administration titled it the Terrorist Surveillance Program.
- Recent Developments – In May of 2011, it was reported that defense contractor Lockheed-Martin had come under cyber-attack, and, in a novel move, the defense industry, ISP’s and the NSA joined together to launch a program that would enable the NSA to utilize data sets to identify malicious programs that had been slipped into data streams received by Lockheed-Martin and others. ISP’s would then be able to disable the threats before they reached company servers.
- Unknown Threats – Right now, the NSA technology and the ISP’s ability to filter Internet traffic is only effective against known threats, and work is under way to develop methods of detecting threats that are more ambiguously presented.
- LulzSec and Anonymous – LulzSec and Anonymous are a pair of hacking groups that have declared a virtual war on manifold targets like media companies and mega-corporations; these are among the types of threats the NSA and ISP’s hope to neutralize.
- Civil Liberties – Any time a government begins to monitor its citizen’s personal or business communications, there is a very real threat to the civil liberties of that citizenry.
- Technology – The NSA, which employs more than 40,000 people, is at the forefront of many aspects of Internet security technology, which makes partnership with ISP’s possible.
- Data Bases – ISP’s control incredible data flows, and their ability to monitor vast amounts of information makes them indispensable in any credible attempt to disable cyber-attacks.
- What We Don’t Know – In a cyber-world infused with secrets, we may never truly know the depth of interactivity between ISP’s and government agencies like the NSA.
More threats are inevitable, and continued cooperation between the NSA and ISP’s is truly needed.
Source: Internet Service Providers
Tags: Cyber Safety, Identity Theft, Internet Defamation, Internet Gossip, Internet Safety, Internet Slander, Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Sue Scheff
Facebook: Age verses Maturity – Should Your Child Join?
by Sue Scheff on Jun 13, 2011
Facebook has taken a stand on this question since their inception by setting a minimum age limit for its users at 13 years of age. But just because Facebook says 13 year olds may use their social media service doesn’t mean that parents need to allow their kids to become users, does it?
Here are some thoughts on the subject.
Any age: There are some parents who don’t see a need for setting a minimum age limit for Facebook users. Some of these parents simply aren’t concerned with their child’s interaction on the web, any more than they are concerned with any other aspects of their child’s life. Other parents who aren’t concerned about a minimum age have a very different reason. Their reasoning is based on their involvement with their kid’s activities online. They do not allow their kids full and uncensored access to the internet in any form. They have parental controls in place and seldom allow their young children on the internet without their presence there beside them. They may see Facebook as a connecting place with family.
Thirteen: Since Facebook has set this as the minimum age to join their network, many people have accepted this as being the appropriate age. Peer pressure enters into this big time. Facebook has said ‘it’s ok’ and ‘all my friends’ are using Facebook, so why shouldn’t I? There are a lot of fun games and learning opportunities on Facebook for kids this age, but there are dangers as well. Teens this age can be very vulnerable to adults and other teens who might use Facebook to gain a connection with them. Young teens can easily feel flattered by attention from others and innocently assume that people are who and what they represent themselves to be. This puts them at risk for predators of many different kinds. Kids this age often have very volatile emotions as well. This means that everything becomes magnified in their minds. Hurts wound deeper and friendships are taken very seriously. Thirteen may be old enough to use Facebook, but for most kids thirteen to fifteen, their use of this and other social media should be closely monitored and guarded with strict rules of behavior.
Sixteen: Some parents have held the line and refused to allow their kids to engage in social media activities until they are sixteen and in high school. Since, at this age, they are old enough to gain a drivers license, it is assumed that they should also be responsible enough to handle social media activities. Other parents have encouraged their kids to avoid the social media craze simply because it can be a distraction and a time waster, and they want their kids to remain focused on more important aspects of their life than socializing.
Conclusions: In reality, there is no magic age that fits every situation or every child. Since Facebook has set a minimum age of thirteen, it is wise of parents to support this age limit by not allowing their younger children to circumvent the rules by posting a false birthdate. Each child has a different level of maturity. It is the maturity level and sense of responsibility of your child that should be considered when making this decision, not just their age. Regardless of the age, teens should be taught how to use social media safely and responsibly. When rules are not followed, the privilege should be removed.
Source: Internet Service Providers
Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens both online and off.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Facebook and kids: What age and why should they join – Fort Lauderdale Parenting Teens | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/parenting-teens-in-fort-lauderdale/facebooks-and-kids-what-age-and-why-should-they-join#ixzz1PA7KAJBK
Tags: Cyber Safety, Internet Safety, Online Safety, Parenting Teens, Social Media, Social Networking, Sue Scheff
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