Internet Safety is the security of online activity on the world wide web. Online, the threat of sexual predators who try to lure children via chat rooms and pornagraphic images is abundant. Fraud is another online threat posed by viruses and other malware. Programs such as Mcafee and Cox Security Suite are made to prevent these virus threats and inappropriate material. Some organizations have formed to fight for internet safety such as Wired Safety, Cyber Angels, and i-SAFE.
History edit
The first virus was created in early 1970's called Pervading Animal.[1] This virus was on a small scale and not widely known. As the years progressed, viruses such as the creeper arrived(first known virus) and signifies the beginning of computer viruses. The Reeper was the first anti-virus program designed to eliminate the creeper. As time went one viruses such as the Elk Cloner, Brain, and Vienna rose into existence. Now as of 2008 there is over 1 million viruses circling the internet.[2]
Online Sex-Offenders edit
Online Sex Offenders contain people who go online with the intent to engage in some kind of sexual activity with children. It can consist of:
- Sexually explicit conversation
- Child pornography
- Meeting up with children
Children are curious about their sexuality and sex in general[3], making them vulnerable to online predators. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's focuses on children safety from sexual predators. One commonly used form of sexual exploitation[4] is in chat rooms. Such chat rooms include; teenchat,javachatrooms,tinychat,and imvu. Predators start a conversation with children to create a relationship with them by posing as kids their age.[5]
Child pornography is a large problem with sexual predators. They distribute and try to obtain pornographic images of children off the internet. Federal law states the it is illegal for any person to distribute, receive, or possess any kind of visual of children in a sexual way.[6]
Online activity can lead to a meeting between the predator, possibly resulting in molestation and/or kidnapping. The internet is the start of such crimes making online safety vitally important to parents and their children.
A big part of internet security is the parents responsibility. Security software can be installed to prevent the child from being allowed on certain cites. Such software is Cox Security Suite or on windows it is built into the computer.
Fraud edit
Internet Fraud is the act of an individual stealing someones identity to either acquire money or do illegal activity impersonating the victim. This can be done by someone hacking someones computer and stealing credit card numbers, login information, or other personal information. This can be done by malware, including the notorious Trojan Horse program or other spyware. They can continue to impersonate the person via email, texts, phone calls or other ways of communicating. More information can be obtained and tampering with someones life becomes more accessible.
Fraud is also common by the method of Phishing. Phishing is where someone impersonates a trustworthy company to obtain personal information, a common online technique of internet fraud.
To protect against fraud a computer needs to be constantly patched so new viruses cannot harm it. Such updates includes windows update for windows operating systems.[7]
Safety Software edit
Safe Eyes is a program which lets you monitor the online activity of a computing device. It has multiple products such as:
- SafeAtHome
- SafeOnTheGo
- Safe-eyes mobile
- Safe-eyes Business.
McAfee is a program designed to protect internet safety. Its functions are as follows: Anti spyware,Antivirus,Firewall, email and instant message attachment scanning,parental control,QuickClean tool, defragmenter, file shredder, link scanning tool and online back-up.[8]
Organizations edit
WiredSafety is a internet safety volunteer run help group.This program is lead by Parry Aftab. WiredSafety formed to assist monitor cyberspace for cybercrime, harassement, education, privacy, safety, and security. Wired safety both searches for child molesters and child pornography online as well as provided family friendly websites and services.[9]
Cyber Angels, founded in 1979 by Curtis Sliwa, is an online safety program focusing on protecting children. Cyber Angels provides an online resource to educate about internet threats and how to protect yourself against them. Cyber Angels recieved the 1998 Presidential Service Award by Bill Clinton.[10]
i-SAFE is a class about online safety, dedicated to educate students about the internet. The program is through an online subscription and is implemented into some schools curriculum. i-SAFE was founded in 1998 and is now available in all 50 states as well as around the world. This programs approach to internet safety is to teach kids how to avoid internet dangers.[11]
References edit
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2009) |
- ^ http://www.virus-scan-software.com/virus-scan-help/answers/the-history-of-computer-viruses.shtml
- ^ http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3721556.ece
- ^ http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide/parent-guide
- ^ http://www.ncjrs.gov/internetsafety/
- ^ http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide/parent-guide
- ^ http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=1476
- ^ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Set-up-Parental-Controls
- ^ http://internet-security-suite-review.toptenreviews.com/mcafee-review.html
- ^ http://www.wiredsafety.org/information/about_us.html
- ^ http://www.cyberangels.org/about.php
- ^ http://www.isafe.org/channels/?ch=ai