Keeping Kids safe online

CEBU, Philippines — How can parents be sure that their young kids are using the internet properly and securely? David Thornburg, in the book “Fast Forward” by Alfred C. Sikes and Ellen Pearlman, advices that parents should be around when their little ones go online.  Doing that may not be a problem if the kids are accessing the worldwide web from home – but what about elsewhere?

School-age kids have a lot of reasons for going online: to do research, to check email and social media accounts, to visit ‘interesting’ websites.  When kids go down the path that lures their natural curiosity and inquisitiveness, their security and safety might be a concern. If they go online all by themselves using their smartphones, away from the watchful eyes of their parents, it can be scary.

Recreational web surfing is a lot of fun – for all surfers, for both small kids and grownups. While it can pose a threat for grownups, it’s so much more so with kids who do not have yet the wisdom and the self-restraint in their online engagements. Gary Davis, at https://securingtomorrow.mcafee.com, mentions hacks, scams, malware and more that make the internet feel like a dangerous place these days. 

And, the recent proliferation of devices, from smartphones and tablets to internet-connected appliances, has exposed the internet population to even greater risks, Davis adds. He shares certain security measures that can greatly reduce one’s exposure to online threats:

Create complex passwords. Creating strong, unique passwords for all critical accounts really is the best way to keep personal and financial information safe. This is especially true in the era of widespread corporate hacks, where one database breach can reveal tens of thousands of user passwords. If one reuses his passwords, a hacker can take the leaked data from one attack and use it to login to one’s other accounts. The best advice: Use a password manager to help store and create strong passwords for all your accounts.

Then, one shall check to see if his online accounts offer multi-factor authentication. This is when multiple pieces of information are required to verify one’s identity. So, to log into an account one may need to enter a code that is sent to his phone, as well as his password and passphrase.

Boost your network security. If one’s logins are assured safe, he shall also make sure that his connections are secure. When at home or work, it’s common to use a password-protected router that encrypts one’s data. On the road, however, one may be tempted to use free, public Wi-Fi. The problem with public Wi-Fi is that it is often unsecured; meaning, it’s relatively easy for a hacker to access your device or information. Investing in a Virtual Private Network or VPN is good protection; the software creates a secure connection over the internet, making it safe to connect from anywhere.

Use a firewall. Even if one’s network is secure, using a firewall is still advised. It’s an electronic barrier that blocks unauthorized access to one’s devices, and is often included in comprehensive security software packages. A firewall ensures that all of the devices connected to one’s network are secured, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart thermostats and webcams. Many IoT devices aren’t equipped with security measures, thus giving hackers a vulnerable point of entry to one’s entire network.

Click smart. As smart tech measures are in place, one shall not invite danger with careless clicking. Many of today’s online threats are based on phishing or social engineering. This is when you are tricked into revealing personal or sensitive information for fraudulent purposes. Spam emails, phony “free” offers, click bait, online quizzes etc. all use these tactics to entice people to click on dangerous links or give out their personal information. It’s wise to be always wary of offers that sound too good to be true, or ask for too much information.

Be a selective sharer. These days, there are a lot of opportunities to share personal information online. One shall always be cautious about what he shares, particularly when it comes to his identity information. This can potentially be used to impersonate him, or guess his passwords and logins.

Protect your mobile life. Mobile devices can be just as vulnerable to online threats as laptops. In fact, mobile devices face new risks, such as risky apps and dangerous links sent by text message. It’s important to be always careful where one clicks, and not respond to messages from strangers, and only download apps from official app stores after reading other users’ reviews first. And this shall be done only after the security software is enabled on one’s mobile, just like his computers and other devices.

Practice safe surfing and shopping. When shopping online, or visiting websites for online banking or other sensitive transactions, one shall always make sure that the site’s address starts with “https,” instead of just “http,” and has a padlock icon in the URL field. This indicates that the website is secure and uses encryption to scramble your data so it can’t be intercepted by others. Also, one shall be on the lookout for websites that have misspellings or bad grammar in their addresses; these could be copycats of legitimate websites.

Keep up to date. One shall keep all his software updated so he has the latest security patches. He may turn on “automatic updates,” so he doesn’t have to think about it, and make sure that his security software is set to run regular scans.

Lookout for the latest scams. Online threats are evolving all the time, so one shall make sure he knows what to look out for. He is better to stay on top of any threats by staying informed.

Keep your guard up. One shall always be cautious about what he does online, which sites he visits, and what he shares. Using comprehensive security software is a good idea, and to make sure he backs up his data on a regular basis in case something goes wrong. By taking preventative measures, one can save himself from headaches later on.

Parents have to make sure they know what to do to stay safe and secure when going online. And they have to pass that knowledge on to their kids. They have to make sure that the kids are equally conscious about the possible threats.