It’s not Rocket Science…
Filed under: customers, cyber safety, education, entertainment, Facebook, lifestyle, mobile handsets, mobile internet, SMS, social media, Twitter
In the past, people have said to me: “you’re never going to be strapped in next to Andy Thomas to fly the shuttle”. After working out what it meant and realising I couldn’t run fast enough to catch the culprit, it got me thinking. I might not be a member of Mensa, nor will I ever build rockets but I am smart enough to understand the opportunities that technology brings to all of us and how to use it with an eye on common sense. Am I the only one that gets it?
We are living in an age when Baby Boomers are realising they need to log on or be left behind. What will society look like when Generation Y, who has grown up in the digital world, turns sixty? Sites like FaceBook, eBay and RSVP.com will just be a way of life – a medium they have always used and could not imagine being without.
This brings me to my point: technology and all the benefits and risks that come with it, is here to stay. Should we continue to blame the evolution of the digital age or is it more valuable spending time better educating ourselves to the risks and obvious outcomes of bad online behaviour.
For example, if a child in your care wants a Facebook page. Do we say “no, its unsafe and bad things will happen to you”. Or should we say “That’s a good idea it will help you stay in touch with your mates and your grandparents interstate. But you are only twelve and you shouldn’t have a FaceBook site until you are thirteen”
Then maybe I’d suggest you sit down with the child and read the privacy and safety pages on the Facebook site together. This is a better way to deal with kids wanting to use today’s technology.
You never throw the keys to your car to a seventeen year old who has not driven before. Nor do you say “don’t ever drive a car because you may hurt yourself”. At some stage the adolescent will have to have driving lessons and learn the rules of the road. Why is it different when inexperienced users want to log on? We should allow responsible users access to the digital world and ensure they have the guidance to appreciate the benefits and understand the risks.
Yesterday, I spent the morning at the launch of National Cyber-Security Awareness Week ** at Federation Square in Melbourne. The week is dedicated to focusing on being more secure when on-line and reinforces the message that there are some simple things we can all do, regardless of our understanding of technology, to be safer online.
Six simple steps to improve online security at home and at work
As part of the week, Australians are being advised to take six simple steps to improve their online security at home and at work:
- Install security software and update it regularly.
- Turn on automatic updates so that all your software receives the latest fixes.
- Get a stronger password and change it at least twice a year.
- Stop and think before you click on links or attachments.
- Stop and think before you share any personal or financial information – about yourself, your friends or family.
- Know what your children are doing online. Make sure they know how to stay safe and encourage them to report anything suspicious.
I’d really love to hear from you about what you do to stay safe online and what you think the future will have in store for us? And remember cyber-safety is everyone’s responsibility.
I continue to find it interesting that people blame the medium of the internet rather than the end user when it comes to cyber safety. Many of the negative behaviours we see on the internet are no different than those we see in other parts of our lives – yet somehow many still act as if they should be devoid of any responsiblity for their own security while online.
Headlines like ‘Facebook privacy scandal’ or ‘Google steals your data information’ don’t help the situation either, as they reinforce the idea that your safety online is entirely somebody elses problem to worry about. While there is an onus on these companies to act responsibly, that doesn’t diminish the requirement of the individual to also look out for themselves.
Just as you don’t walk down to the bank with bags labelled with dollar signs, or avoid poorly lit streets at night, using the internet responsibly is all about common sense: read what you’re signing up for, be mindful of what you post online, be careful with downloading content or visiting unfamiliar websites, protect your Wi-Fi network so you’re not broadcasting openly.
The metaphor you used about throwing the car keys to an untrained driver is a good one. While you shouldn’t need a license to get involved with the digital world, it does help if you show just a little common sense.
Gwynn is right. However, we need to be especially vigilant with our children, as they respond to peer pressure to “check out this website, it’s really cool”. Many kids don’t think, they just do. They are all the product of our “instant” society and thus they don’t usually stop to think about whether their information can be seen by others. They usually don’t care. Are they too trusting? Yes.
On Darren’s point of installing Security Software and Password changes, I agree. The problem I see is that many people don’t bother to install Security applications because they cost money and are not seen to add value to the user’s experience. Many people tell tales of failures of this or that Security product and this also taints the value of these applications. The free ones work, but would you trust your house keys to a security company who didn’t charge you to look after the house when you are away on holidays?
Yes, we all must take responsibility for our own Data Security and also encourage others to get hold of quality Security products. It can save much more than those valued Digital images of weddings, parties and events that we used to put in photo albums and now store on our home PCs without even thinking about backup!
Thinking “it won’t happen to me” is like burying your head in the sand – someone can come up and kick your backside and you won’t even see them coming!
All very valid points. It’s not always as simple as ‘just take a little more care’, especially from a parents point of view. Many adults outside of a typically technologically centric life have little day to day exposure to today’s technological innovations and their inherant capabilities and issues. It is not so much the Gen Y’ers but the prior generations that need to be educated and to understand more completely the pitfalls that both they and their children will be exposed to.
It’s all too easy from a parents point of view to think that children, when online, will be ‘sensible’ enough not to seek out content that is either offensive or of a nature that you wouldn’t approve of. Or, even that that content is not readily accessible at the press of an incorrect key !
Don’t get me wrong, in no way am I advocating a blanket filter of the internet controlled by the government or restrictions enforced without freedom of choice.
However, the issue still remains.
Whilst the internet is a powerful tool and can be used for the greater good – it can also be used by some pretty ‘nasty’ characters too. I for one have ensured that all PCs that my family access have security installed and that the content filters are appropriate for the age of those using them. Would I believe that this is in place for the majority of friends ? No. The prime reason being that they do not perceive a real risk as they do not use the internet to the same extent or in the same way as their children do.
I do agree totally that ‘it’s not Rocket Science’. However the government is not responsible for what you or your children learn – that responsibility remains with the parents to guide and nurture and to take advantage of an age where information is available on a scale never seen before.
“It’s not Rocket Science…” – just love the photo illustrating this! A nice shot of people who are blonde and female and therefore VERY likely IT-illiterate, if not just plain dumb.
Offended blonde female Senior Business Analyst
Gwynn – You’re absolutely right, there really isn’t too much difference between the problems we face in the ‘real’ world compared to those we now see in the online world – common sense behaviours should be used in both environments.
John – I often take the time to speak my kids on the value they can obtain from using the net. Particularly with their school projects and some web based academic games. I have also encouraged them all to learn how to touch type as I know how important this will be in their future. In these discussions we talk about potential risks and what we can do to manage them. I am hopeful that this has sunk in and they all know what to do if they feel uncomfortable when on line.
Richard – I agree, each age-group have their own unique experience when it comes to being part of the digital era we now live in. At Telstra we want every age-group to be able to access information to safely obtain full value from their online experience, including young-people and seniors.
I’m looking forward to sharing with you soon some work we have been doing to help all age-groups have a safer online experience.
Lyn –The image we choose was definitely not meant to cause offence so I offer my apologies if this has happened. We thought this was a good image as it showed a mother and daughter enjoying the benefits of the online world together. I will work a bit harder on the graphic next time and maybe even see if we have got one of a big bald guy. Just to make sure we don’t be seen as targeting different looks and gender.
As a parent I have always tried to ensure my kids safety online.
From reading the comments above there are a lot of issues that have been raised which need addressing.
The Blonde’s Advert. issue seems to cancel itself out coming from a Blonde female Senior Business Analyst,
John said:
” …On Darren’s point of installing Security Software and Password changes, I agree. The problem I see is that many people don’t bother to install Security applications because they cost money and are not seen to add value to the user’s experience. ”
A lot can be done without spending money, the online community, which I belong, and many ‘aware’ users around the world, help share security tips that really are just a matter of Education, the Technology Revolution has learnt a lot from the Industrial Revolution, (make a bigger profit producing inferior products) So we have to, Update products often, as short product life span, hide all safety education as there’s just no time.
Actually I was very impressed by a message I got after logging out of Telstra session, (paraphrased), ” Now you’ve logged out, take your browser back to your home page, and clear all History, cookies, saved site info, etc.”
A simple little program (freeware) CCleaner can do this for you, leaving no traces, which is good for your privacy, but if you want to check what your kids have been up to online, looking at their Browsing History, you need to clear all this private info at the end of the day, when the kids have gone to bed.
There are many trusted sites that offer security tips, some bad, I’ll offer a good one, or two: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?act=Login&CODE=00
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/forums.html
The thing is, once you learn what is good practice for your Computer settings, and Browsing habits, the chances of our/your kids ending up somewhere they shouldn’t, and the resulting harm, can be avoided.
Did you know that you can block “bad” sites anyhow, with programs like Spyware Blaster ?
Google these products, I’m not writing the URL’s.
The two sites above are so full of advice the thing which as a Engineer and Malware Cleaner I do which is read, read, read, from good sources.
The problem is that a lot of us can’t due to time constraints, for so many years I’ve been learning why: “Do people get Infected”, “Do people get their kids in trouble, online.”
I’m glad to see australia is finally starting to understand the Web, and The Internet are about as friendly as “The Wild, Wild West”. Heaps of Education is needed nevertheless.
Look in the the Address bar, (Where we type web site destinations/locations) on this page.
The beginning of the address is http, you’ll notice there are sites within the Telstra / Bigpond Network which begin with https; the “s” stands for secure.
Handy to know, and you will see this all over the web, … if your worried logging into a bank or sales site(?), look for that extra “s”, it’s easy.
http, like this page displays in it’s address bar, doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, this is just a blog, it’s the pages and sites like your online Banking, Telstra Billing, etc. which you’d want to be secure as an example, so have a look !
I hope just a little of this info will be taken further by the reader.
Who to trust ?
There are people who are MVP’s online, who have gained this title of “Microsoft Most Valuable Professional”, these are awarded by MS to people who for little to no financial reward, and as non MS employee’s, people who have contributed in some way to securing either a microsoft product from Malware, Educating of their own free time how to use such Software, or just take it upon themselves to help infected customers. You’ll find such people in the links to the sites above.
A free scanner, which won’t affect your bought, Anti Virus Software, if you have such is: http://www.malwarebytes.org/
This is made by MVP’s, plus others, not everybody can be a MVP ! Fact is it will scan a average Computer in 15 minutes, and find around around 80% of all Malware, also the Forum is open, free (as is the scanner) to join, and expert advice offered freely.
On that note another useful tool, the MVP’s HOSTS file.
It is a text document which is regularly updated so your computer never goes to bad sites, it is explained in full here, plus heaps more.
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
You probably all have a “Home Page”, the MVP’s HOSTS file makes all “Bad Pages” not able to be visited, if an attempt is made, your Browser will simply take you to your Homepage. the HOSTS file is a part of Windows OS’s.
Some Knowledge brings with it equally a chance of mucking up your computer, as balanced against securing it. Just like driving a car ? That is why reading all instructions for any advanced procedures are to be taken very carefully.
I’ve not offered anything advanced, read from the sources provided and make up in your mind which little steps you may wish to take… Install Spyware Blaster,
Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware ( http://www.malwarebytes.org/ )
and CCleaner, it’ll add at least 60 to 90% more safety to your online experience, for free.
[I'm in no way affiliated with any products, or intellectual material]
Now, no it aint Rocket Science but in a matter of ten minutes I’ve spewed out enough info to block harmful sites for your kids to visit, and yourselves, plus the seed that,
“Heck maybe I can gain some control over the Content Viewed Online, for free, from knowledgeable trustworthy people.”
It is up to you, and it can be simply taken on a daily basis, even weekly, to keep nasty sites away, and feel in control and safe online.
As mentioned above by someone, when joining a site for the Kiddies, like Facebook, ( I wouldn’t ! I did on invitaion, and found it was a very insecure site when it trolled the Web and put a lot of personal info into my Profile, without my knowledge! I should have checked all security settings immediately upon joining, as everyone should)
That’s the most important procedure for Parents, and their kids, check the Privacy settings of any signup to any Social (or whatsoever type of) website.
Then there’s Linux, but we are talking about protecting our kids online, not the fact that not one Virus, Worm, Trojan, Rootkit, has as yet been crafted to infect a Linux system !
A lot to study, but small steps …
People who cannot afford or do not wish to pay can use Microsoft Security Essentials and also ensure that their firewall is activated.
I find that MSE works well and you can find it easily via a Google or Bing search.
I use it for my families computers and have not had any issues.
But Soren Hemingway, do you feel you have control over the content your children, and infact yourself, may inadvertently browse by, not at all brushing aside the dynamics of MSE. Is it just a matter of spending money, and installing a General Overview Anti Malware protection software. Is Education a factor ? How do you know when you are infected ?
A point I feel which is appropriate for Telstra. With the large amount of data needed to keep Anti Vitus programs “up To Date”, and thus effective, is a system of limited usage a good way to go ? We’ve all been to Windows Update, what if a customer uses all their allotment of Data downloading critical security updates for their MS OS ? On the flip side; maybe people would shy away from keeping “Up To Date” ?
Of course they can upgrade to a larger data plan, but should security online be a sole User based option. Maybe Microsoft/Any real security Update, be added to the Unmetered content that’s free of usage charges when you download ?
One infected computer infects many more computers, much the same as an epidemic in Humans is spread by the infected.
A trend that encourages any lowering of security standards online must be seen as a risk …
Education will be the telling point in the next five years as to whether Online Computing will survive. As I see it the World Wide Web is a Library which all should be able to access without threat of privacy as in the deepest meaning of the word.
Good points Anthony, I like the suggestion of unmetered access to Microsoft updates. How it could implemented is another issue.
My employer provides a free anti virus (as in paid by the employer) to any employee who wants it. This is good policy as documents worked on at home could be affected by a virus and transferred to work and then infect many corporate machines. Good costing saving approach.