E-mail & Spam

E-mail

Change your passwords often. The simple act of changing your password will increase the likelihood that your e-mail remains secure. In addition, alpha-numeric passwords are harder to break, so be sure to use both numbers and letters.

Never share your password. E-mail administrators should not ask for your password. Do not be fooled by suspicious e-mails asking you for your password. This is a ploy designed to fool you into sharing your password. As a simple rule, never share it with anyone.

Never open attachments from unknown sources. And be cautious about attachments from people you know. They may contain Trojan horses, worms, or viruses, which can seriously damage your computer. Make sure your virus checker scans all attachments from your friends before you open them; this is a common way for viruses to spread.

Always log out/sign off when you are finished with your computer. It's quick, easy, and may save your account from unwanted trespassers. If you are using a public terminal, exit the browser you are using when you are ready to end your Internet session. Be sure to clear your history and your cookies. If you are concerned about people having accessing your computer and reading locally stored e-mail, another option would be to use a Web-based e-mail (like Hotmail or Yahoo!).

Do not reply to spam e-mail messages, or other harassing or offensive mail. By responding, you only confirm that you are an actual person with an active e-mail address... who can be plagued with constant unwanted e-mail solicitations.

Tips from chatdanger.com

Only give your e-mail address out to people you already know and trust Be careful that your e-mail address is not in your profile or on other Web sites where people you don't know can find it. Never give it to someone you have only met online.

Respect your friends. Don't give out their e-mail addresses without their permission, and never use e-mails to bully or manipulate others.

Keep a record. If somebody is bullying or harassing you via e-mail, keep the e-mail and don't delete it. It may help you to find out who is sending the messages if you don't already know, and it will definitely make the situation easier to explain to someone when you tell them. Keep the e-mail until you have discussed how to stop it with somebody you trust.

Tell someone. If you receive a message or messages that are bullying or make you feel uncomfortable or at danger, be sure to tell someone about them. If you feel you are being harassed or threatened, you should report them to your local police.

Change your e-mail address. If blocking doesn't work and you are still receiving messages from someone you do not want to get messages from, use a different e-mail address.

Have more than one e-mail account. Use a personal one for friends and family for example. If you have to give an e-mail address for entering a competition or registering for a service, it is a good idea to use a different address to your personal one, as this may lead to you receiving a lot of unwanted spam mail for example.

McAfee's Top 10 Tips to Protect Your E-mail and Instant Messaging

Spam

Spam is the common term for "junk e-mail". The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 defines spam as "any unsolicited e-mail message the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service."

It May Be Spam If:

• It is unsolicited; you did not ask for it.
• It is impersonal to the point where the recipient is unimportant. (For example, if you are a collector of rare books, and you receive an e-mail flyer for a rare book auction, many would NOT consider that spam.)
• It may have a misleading subject line or a false return address.
• It does not include a method for avoiding future e-mails from the same organization.

When advertisements arrive in your inbox for things like low-rate mortgages, miracle drugs, or cheap long distance services, you have been spammed. Spam often advertises suspicious products or "get rich quick" promotions. It can be used to spread computer viruses, Trojan horses or other malicious software. The objective may be identity theft or fraud. Some spam attempts to use the victims' inexperience with computer technology to trick them, for example, phishing.

Tips to Keep Your Inbox Spam-Free

• When creating an e-mail account, choose an e-mail address that is difficult to guess, i.e. a series of numbers and letters. It is best not to have any identifying information in your e-mail address, such as full name, age, or location.
• Never reply to spam. Even if it says 'unsubscribe' or 'Be removed from the list' do not reply, as it may just confirm your e-mail address to the sender and may mean you get even more spam!
• Spam filters or junk mail filters can offer some protection by diverting suspected spam into a junk mail folder – ask your provider about this.
• Check the privacy policy when you submit your address to a Web site - Always be familiar with a Web site's privacy policy before submitting any information. Learn more about how to read a privacy policy

For further information, please visit:

Spamcop.net offers a reporting service that will help you report spam quickly and easily.

The Federal Trade Commission Web site for spam can also provide you with some good information regarding spam: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/spam/index.html

Stopspam.org provides a repository of information on how you can help stop various Internet abuses, such as Spamming, Unsolicited Commercial/Bulk E-mail, Make Money Fast Chain Letters, Rogue Sites, etc., as well as how to fight back if you are the victim of one of these types of abuse.

Online Chat

There are many ways for people to communicate online beyond the use of e-mail. Many of these methods provide instant response to other individuals or groups who are online at the same time that you are. However, online chatting is a common way for predators to lure children off-line, and an easy method for hackers to invade or plant viruses on your personal computer.

Forms of Online Chat

Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging (IM) clients let you type in messages and send them over the Internet to others who are online and they can answer you right away. The system works independently of your browser so you can be surfing the Net and keeping in touch with your friends at the same time.

The rules of safe "IM'ing" are similar to the rules of safe e-mailing. However, there are two additional actions that are important for you to know about: make yourself invisible, and ignoring unwanted messages. Each IM program uses a different method to activate these features, so use the help menu in your instant messaging program to learn how to use them. Some examples of instant messaging clients are AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc.

Web-Based Chat Rooms

There are many other Chat services on the Web including those provided by AOL, ICQ, and Yahoo, the plethora of online dating services, and several television networks. Each of them uses a different method of log-on or registration. Since many of these services are free and can be accessed by anyone in the world, parents and guardians should be cautious about letting children use these services.
Some web-based chat services offer the option of private chat where two or more users can be invited to a smaller chat session. This, unfortunately, proves to be the ideal environment for cyber stalkers.

Video Chat

Video chatting allows you to interact with other people live in separate locations via simultaneous two-way video and audio transmissions, as well as text. This allows for face-to-face conversations with people all over the world. All you need is a web cam and a computer with an Internet connection. Most video chat applications require the user to have an account. Some popular chat applications are Skype, ooVoo, and FaceTime. Social networks such as Facebook also give users the ability to video chat.

Blogging

Blogs (or Weblogs) are basically online journals or diaries, usually written by a single person (but not always), that are great for sharing information and ideas with people online. They are often written on a particular topic - there are blogs on virtually any topic you can think of, and build a community for those who share a common interest in each other's content. Blogging puts people into contact with each other in relationships where they can learn, share ideas, make friends with and even do business with people with similar interests from around the world.
Blogs are composed mostly of text, but often contain audio, music, images, videos, and link to other blogs or web pages. Anything can be posted instantly to a blog and are usually updated pretty regularly.
The true power of blogging comes from its interactivity with visitors and other blogs. As an author, you can allow online visitors to comment on your entries or provide additional information or links which are being published along side or in a separate window of the entry. Twitter, Blogger, WordPress, and BlogSpot are all examples of a popular blogging sites.

Click Here For More Information on Blogging

Forums

A forum (also known as a newsgroup) is a discussion about a particular subject consisting of notes written to a central Internet site and redistributed through Usenet, a worldwide network of news discussion groups. Forums are organized into subject hierarchies, with the first few letters of the newsgroup name indicating the major subject category and sub-categories represented by a subtopic name. Many subjects have multiple levels of subtopics. Some major subject categories are: news, recreation, society, science, computers, and many more. Users can post to existing newsgroups, respond to previous posts, and create new newsgroups. Forums provide a way to quickly communicate with people from all over the world who share your interests, without ever having to leave your keyboard. You can communicate with them anytime you like.

Safety Advice for Online Chat

Do you know everyone on your buddy or contacts list? Think carefully about who is on your list.

Keep your personal information secret. This is especially true when talking to someone you don't know in the real world. Also think about what visible information you have, for example in a profile or member directory.

Learn how to keep an archive/save a copy of your conversation. This may be useful if you want to report something. Don't be afraid to tell someone you are saving their conversation.

Learn how to block/ignore people.

Use a nickname. Do not use your real name. Choose a nickname that is not going to attract the wrong type of attention or tell people who you really are.

Keep your username and password private. It is also important to change your password on a regular basis.

Don't reply to abusive messages. Don't send abusive messages either. It's best not to say anything on IM that you wouldn't say to someone's face.

Don't accept messages from people you don't know.

Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. If you feel that you 'have to' meet, then for your own safety you must tell your parent or guardian and take them with you – at least on the first visit – and meet in a public place in daytime.

Be careful who you trust online. Remember that online friends are really strangers. People online, no matter how long you have been talking to them or how friendly they are, may not be who they say they are.

Keep your personal information secret. Although it can be tempting to reveal more than you normally would in online friendships, giving out personal information such as your name, address, telephone number, mobile number, private e-mail address, and picture can make you vulnerable. Also check your profile to make sure it doesn't include any personal information.

Get away from an unpleasant situation in a chat room by logging out. This just takes one click or by changing your screen name.

Report threatening messages.

Social Networks

Information from safefamilies.org

What is Social Networking?

These sites are immensely popular with teens and young adults and have become an integral part of their lives, much like television was for their parents. Social networks or online communities offer great opportunities for self-expression, relational support, new experiences, helpful information and just plain fun. These sites generally enable their subscribers to post a journal and various forms of media content, to generate and maintain relationships with other participants, and to engage in discussions around common interests with others. Some of the most popular social networks are in the U.S. are Facebook, MySpace, Hi5, and Friendster.

What Are The Risks?

Objectionable content: On many online communities, users post material that is not appropriate for children or that many parents would find objectionable. This can include obscene language, racist or violent text or images, and a wide range of sexual content including pornography.
Overexposure: Parents and guardians need to be concerned not only with what their children might see and hear, but also what they may present. Teens can make unwise decisions about what they post online. This includes posting pictures of himself or herself or of friends in a sexually provocative or incriminating manner; publishing personal information that sexual predators could use to learn more about a child or their friends; or bragging about exploits (real or made-up) or making threatening and harassing remarks that could have negative consequences.
Contact with predators: Much publicity has been generated around sexual predators (mainly adults) looking for minors to exploit. There are such individuals who frequent online communities that teens use. Sometimes, these adults will pretend to be teens themselves, but often they will be quite clear about their age and intent.

What Parents Can Do:

• Begin an open conversation about your teens' social networking experience. Try to establish a context for discussion that is not combative or accusing.
• Create your own account on MySpace or another social network. Spend some time browsing the network's site. This will give you familiarity with the world that is so essential to your teen(s) and their friends and will facilitate future conversations.
• If your child has an account, require that they show it to you. Periodically monitor/read it. Set the expectation that only people they know in real life should be on their "friends" list.
• Know your children's passwords, screen names and account information. This will enable you to view their pages even if they set their profile to "private". (Private profiles are accounts that can only be viewed by others given explicit permission to view it. This is a double-edged sword, in that it means strangers [like sexual predators] don't have an easy way to learn about or harass the private account owner. However, it also means that without being granted access, parents or guardians and other adults in positions of authority or care-giving cannot view the online activity of the owner either.)

For more social networking Web site tips for parents, visit the National Crime Prevention Council's Social Networking Web sites

Rules for Kids:

• Talk with your parents or guardians to help them learn and understand the role of social networking in your life.
• Never post anything you wouldn't want your parents, guardians, teachers, or future employers to see.
• Never post personal information (phone number, e-mail or address) on the web. The same applies for your friends' information. Be aware that information you post could put you at risk of victimization
• Never meet with anyone you first "met" online and tell your parent or guardian if anyone requests a meeting.
• Only add people as friends if you know then in real life. Set privacy settings so that you have to approve people to be added as a friend.
• Include your parents or guardians and other trusted adults as friends. If your parents or guardians do not have an account, give them access to your profile.

FTC's Social Networking Sites: Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens

Mobile Phone Safety

Texting and Mobile Safety

It is important to understand the dangers and risks involved with mobile devices.

Easy to Use, Lose and Steal
In reality, these devices are not just phones; they are powerful, tiny computers. Because they are small, mobile devices can be easy to lose and easy to steal, which places all of the information in your e-mail, online habits and other confidential treasures out in the open where a cyber thief can steal them.

Who is Texting your Kids?
If you provide your kids with a mobile phone, they also may be sending and receiving text messages, which can be risky on several levels. Sexual predators often master the technologies that kids like. Also, text messages go to a mobile phone number. Do your children know who has access to their cell phone number?

Safety Rules for Mobile Communication Devices

Lock down your mobile device. Make sure you have a strong password so if anyone does find your device; they'll have to work hard to crack your code.

Don't text and drive. Not only texting while driving increase your risk of causing an accident, it is also against the law in Rhode Island.

Monitor what your kids do with their mobile phone. Review their contact lists and make sure they exchange messages and phone numbers with people you trust.

Only give your mobile number out to people you already know and trust.

Respect your friends' privacy and don't give out their numbers without their permission.

Get your friends' permission before taking pictures of them. Be sure to get their permission especially before sending pictures to someone else or posting them to the Internet. Remember that as soon as you have sent them, you can't control where they end up.

Think before you hit "send". Remember that when you text you can't see the impact your words or images will have.

Never reply to text messages from people you don't know. This includes spam.

Cell Phone Tips from NCMEC

Tips for Parents and Guardians

• Set appropriate ground rules for your children's use of wireless devices.
• Monitor the wireless bill to keep track of the amount of time your children spend talking and sending messages and with whom.
• Pay special attention to numbers or messages from people you do not recognize or have not approved.
• Teach your children to tell you if anyone sends them a threatening or frightening message.
• If your children are being stalked, harassed, or threatened in any way, report the incident to your service provider and local law enforcement agency.
• If the material is lewd, obscene, or illegal also report it to www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678.
• Consider creating settings to control or prohibit access to the Internet, e-mail, and text messaging through your children's wireless device.

Things for Parents and Guardians to Discuss With Children

• Never share your wireless number and personal or identifying information with anyone you don't know well and trust and without your permission.
• Respect your friends' privacy by never sharing their number or information.
• Never use your wireless device to take, send, or post pictures or video of your friends without permission from their parents or guardians. Taking or sharing embarrassing pictures of someone is a form of bullying and harassment. Once you post an image or video online you can't get it back.
• Keep your passwords private. Never share them with anyone other than me (and your mom/dad/other guardian).
• Never give photos of yourself to anyone you don't know well and trust and without my permission.
• Never send sexually provocative pictures or messages.
• Remind your children text messages may be intercepted or used by others. Teach them to use appropriate language in their messages while being sure not to reveal personal or identifying information.

The National Do Not Call Registry is an easy way to stop getting telemarketing sales calls they don't want. You can register online at http://www.donotcall.gov or you can call toll-free: 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register.