2007 Resource Guides For Internet Safety And Security

To those who assured of their safety on the Internet, they should better think twice. The Internet is not an innocent virtual world that one can contain within the confines of a computer’s picture tube; it is more of a haven for fraudsters and criminals today than it has ever been.

The presence of identity theft schemes such as phishings and social engineering are prevalent in forums and social networking websites. There is also the consistent threat of virus, trojans and worms that attack every computer network connected to the Internet. To add to the list, recent news on the 29,000 sexual offenders discovered last month by MySpace, a social networking website, has revealed of the Internet’s participation to make sexual offense against children and teens feasible and easier for offenders. Indeed, these sinisters at heart have built a virtual counterpart of the cold, dark streets and alleyways that we would never dare go and walk on by at night. And this time, these places don’t feel cold, not even dark; and the culprits are there even after dark.

To protect you and your loved ones from getting entangled with these web of complications on the World Wide Web, below are some of the worthwhile sites that can provide helpful information:

Learning Web Safety and Security

TechCorps: A non-profit organization that aims to promote technology awareness to everyone. It created this wonderful program that endows willing individuals (or volunteers) to be trained about the ins and outs of safety usage of the Internet and other similar technologies. Currently, it offers online technology resources through its two popular national technology programs, such as webTeacher and techs4schools.

i-Safe: Founded since 1998, this non-profit foundation was formally endorsed by the US Congress. It is not only a leader in Internet safety but also provides international, virtual training and i-Learn online.

SafetyNet : the American Academy of Pediatrics or AAP aims to promote the general health of children and teenagers. The Family Safety is a free downloadable tool that will provide web-based reports to parents regarding the Internet activity of their children and will automatically block access to any harmful website. With this, they will be able to protect their young from the harmful threats of the Internet.

CyberSmart: This site provides free tutorials on how to live accordingly in a digital world. The site enjoys full support and praise from teaching association locally and internationally.

Providing Education To Adults

Since kids are the most vulnerable users of the Internet, safety advocates are making sure that the parents of these kids are well-knowledgable on the matter.

FamilyEducation: This parenting and family site has a number of helpful articles and subject topics that teaches parents and teachers how be web-savvy and be aware and in the know if their children are using the Internet in the right way.

iKeepSafe: This site is a parenting resource center. Nonetheless, it provides helpful information to kids and educators alike. The site is very famous for its mascot, Faux Paw, making it more enticing to kids and those who are young at heart.

InternetSafetyAdvisor: This is an education blog site that gives numerous tips and topics for Internet safety and security, from cyber bullying, pornography, identity theft and many others.

SafeKids: This site is offers tips and tools for parents, educators and kids regarding Internet safety. It has an online safety quiz so you can know if you have enough knowledge to keep yourself secure in the Internet.

Safety and Security For The Kids

The Internet is a very dangerous place for a kid or teenager. The current news about sexual offenders using social networking websites as a way to seduce minors have elevated the issue to utmost importance.

Childnet International: A non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of Internet content, as well as awareness and Internet protection policies. It has various current projects such as Childnet Academy, KidSmart, ChatDanger, and Jenny’s Story.

GetNetWise: The site does not only give tutorials to parents and their kids but also provides links to safe websites for the kids. This is an online project created by the Internet Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to improve Internet safety and security.

Creating Awareness To The Consumer

Creating public information articles, FAQs and kits about the dangers of surfing aimlessly in layman’s terms will engage the people more to be in the know and take the necessary precautions. The following websites are able to inform the public about the importance of Internet safety and security even if the reader does not have Internet knowledge.

StaySafe.Org: An educational site that aims to help consumers understand and manage the issues on security and safety on the Internet. Assessments on the technical and product solutions, as well as its possible behavioral effects are discussed. The site is funded by the Microsoft Corporation.

ConnectSafely: This is a forum for parents, educators and teens where they can share information and issues about safety in blogging and social networking. Avid forum posters claim that ConnectSafely.com is a social networking site about social networks.

NetMom: A site founded by Jean Armour Polly, it provides the latest news on Internet safety through its NetFamilyNews as well as provide various articles about the subject.

How To React To The Threat

The current theme used by advocates of Internet safety and security is to use social networking websites to further their cause. With this, the Internet is fast becoming a battleground between good and evil, wherein the public can freely decide which side to choose.

YouTube DontYouForgetAboutMe channel: The link leads the public to a special channel in YouTube where it feeds all videos of missing children from all around the world in the hope of finally finding them again. This is a special project from the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) to create awareness about missing children to the Internet public.

IC3: The IC3 is the Internet Crime Complaint Center that was established to provide a one center for all crime complaint related to the Internet. Families will be able to gain knowledge how to protect themselves from Internet crimes because of this site. The site actually posts actual Modus Operandi of Internet crimes for reference of the public.

OnGuard Online: The federal government aims to provide helpful and practical tips to consumers regarding safety in the Internet. It teaches people how to protect their identity in the Internet, while at the same time, avoid being victimized by Internet fraud. You can test your knowledge in securing your laptop and other similar quizzes on this page.

Mobile Internet: The New Battleground

Some people are not aware that access to the Internet is not only restricted to the Personal Computer, in the office or establishments. Because of the latest advancements in mobile technology, the Internet is within easy reach of any mobile subscribers even in their homes or while they are mobile. This means that the hazards that is present in the World Wide Web will now have a wider reach. Better take note of the following websites as reference to ensure safety from the hazards of the Internet:

WiredSafety : From the founders of the comprehensive sites on safety in the Internet, WiredKids, provides information to kids, parents, and educators that covers the World Wide Web and the mobile phone. It has volunteers numbering to more than 9,000 all over the world under the management of Parry Aftab, popular advocate of cyberspace safety. Another organization under its wing, the Teenangels, develops processes and software such as the Teenangels Chat Translator that can translate mobile lingos.

Fortiguard Center : The site does not only lists a variety of present viruses, trojans and worms present in the Internet, it also gives the latest news on mobile Internet viruses and threats. Visitors will definitely find information on anti-virus and how to avoid being a victim.

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