Technical Tips for Parents
Although it is almost impossible to completely protect your computer, you can help prevent cyber attacks and protect your own personal information by taking the following precautions.
Use different user ID and password combinations for different accounts. Make the passwords more complicated by combining letters and numbers, and change them on a regular basis.
Software creators discover vulnerabilities in their programs on a regular basis, and without downloading system updates your computer may be compromised. This puts your computer at risk of being infected with a virus or spyware (software that literally “spies” on your computer and transmits the data on your hard drive back to the spyware creator).
Firewalls are the first line of cyber defense; they block connections to unknown or unauthorized sites and will keep out some types of viruses and hackers.
New viruses appear on the Internet every day and they can damage your computer, erase your files, or steal important information. Viruses known as keystroke loggers will record everything you type – including passwords and banking information or personal information about your family – and send it back to the virus’s creator.
Protect important files from viruses or physical damage (such as floods, fires) by making backups and storing them in a different location.
Wi-fi (wireless) networks are vulnerable to intrusion if they are not properly protected after installation (you can do so yourself or have this done by an expert when you purchase the wireless network router).
If you see e-mails from an address you don’t recognize, delete them immediately. Never download attachments from people you don’t know or follow links to websites listed in the e-mails. They could infect your computer with a virus or spyware.
Never give out personal information such as your name, address, phone number or financial information on the Internet (unless it is to make online purchases through a secure website).
Call your local police if you suspect a computer crime, identity theft or commercial scam. If you need help with maintenance or software installation on your computer, call a local computer technician.
Some ISPs will help parents control where their children can go on the Internet (although making children aware of how to protect themselves on the Internet is still the best way to help them stay safe online). Most ISPs provide a spam filter for their customers’ e-mail accounts, but if you use a different e-mail provider, install one yourself to block out junk mail from your family’s accounts.
You can use filtering/blocking software to block websites that contain inappropriate language and images, and to monitor what your children are doing online. Visit www.media-awarness.ca to learn more.
Take sure your children understand that they can’t install new software on your computer (or theirs) without first consulting you. It is possible to block administrative privileges so that they can’t install anything, but it’s better if they agree to follow the household Internet rules on their own.
When you download files through file sharing (or peer to peer, P2P) programs you can unknowingly download malicious software, such as viruses or spyware. You should also be careful of what you download from websites, and make sure that anything you download, whether it is music, movies or computer programs, is scanned by your anti-virus software.
Remember, these tools can help protect your children online and the contents of your hard drive, but none of them can guarantee your child’s safety. Teaching your children to protect themselves on the Internet, and staying aware of what they do in the virtual world, is the best way to help them surf safely.
Unfortunately, we can’t recommend any particular software to keep your computer safe. However, if you visit a local computer or electronics store and speak with a knowledgeable associate, you should be able to determine which products will suit your family best. You can also go to a search engine (such as Yahoo or Google) and type in key words to find software (some can only be bought online, not in stores).
To learn more about protecting your financial information from online fraud and identity theft, visit these websites:
- PhoneBusters
- RECOL
- Canadian Bankers Association
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Websites of the major banks and credit card companies.
