Question 1:
What can parents do to protect their child from online predators?
Answer:
When a family member especially children use the internet, parents must protect their children from untoward incidents like online predators. When parents protect their children means, they merely understand the risks, open conversation is implemented, and parents provide clear guidance for a healthy online behavior. In addition, as their children use the technology, parents can help reduce risks on online exposures.
There are basic steps parents can help to protect their children against online predators.
Talk with your children about what they do online. Being busy is not an excuse. It is
highly necessary to have a strict but kind, that is to monitor the computer activity of their children. Parents must be aware what their children do on the computer that includes the website they used. For example, if their children chat on social networks, parents are aware if their children know the person they are in contact. If parents are faithful, enough to give their quality time to ask about what their children do online, their children will have no risks against online predators, and this will lead to an honest relationship between parents and their children. Children are aware about what is a good and healthy computer habits as well. Parents must provide awareness to their children about the dangers that will possibly occur in the internet. Through a thorough discussion about the risks, especially if they are alone in the house they can recognize by themselves problems that possibly occur. The information is not to scare them instead to make them more aware about problems like cyber bullying, online criminals,
inappropriate content and invasion of privacy for instance.
Set clear rules for internet use. Like curfew, children must be given schedules when to
use the internet and the proper place where the computer unit is placed. For example, keep the computer in an open area for the parents to monitor their children activity easily. Avoid placing the computer inside the children’s room and they can only access the internet if when and where they are allowed to use it. It is important that children know the boundaries in the use of the computer that includes the appropriate time allowed for them, the website they use, and the software program at the same time. Through proper rule implementation, children are properly guided when to use the internet and parents can intervene if they notice unusual activity that leads to negative results. Parents must make sure to explain reasons why rules are implemented and surely, children understand and will follow obediently. Parents must remind their children to approach anytime if they encounter problems, concerns, and questions about the computer. This will also teach their children to become more aware about the issue on online predators. Empower children by teaching them how to conduct themselves well; what can they contribute to reduce the risks and safe during online.
Keep personal information private and use family safety settings in software. Majority of
the operating systems give the option to create a user account for a respective user. This is to consider a partition in the computer into separate account. A separate account will avoid the children to access any files that worries the parents a lot. In addition, a separate account gives a limitation to the children to access the number of privileges they have. It can also avoid from accidentally modify or delete some personal files of the parents on the computer and use a family safety software. Teach children to trust their instincts and encourage them to report any problems.
Question 2:
Answer:
Turn on internet firewall or use a two-way firewall. An Internet firewall helps create a protective barrier between the computer and the internet. Parents educate their children the usefulness of an internet firewall.
Make sure to update the operating system automatically and increase the browser security
settings regularly. By installing, all updates as soon as it is available and possible and the automatic updates provide the best protection.
Install and maintain antivirus software protection. Antivirus software helps to identify
and eliminate viruses from the computer before damage is caused. Antivirus software is effective, it is the parents’ responsibility to keep the antivirus up-to-date.
Set up software like antispyware. Utilize antispyware software, for example, Microsoft Windows Defender, so unknown software cannot track the online activity and potentially steal the information. In this way, parents can fully protect their children.
Question 3:
Compare two tools that are used to diminish harassment online.
Answer:
Anti-virus software
Anti-virus software protects the computer from viruses that can possibly destroy data, slow the performance of the computer, cause a collapse, or email send through an account by spammers. In addition, anti-virus works by scanning the computer and the incoming email for viruses and deletes the viruses. Even it does not detect all malware but it can stop many viruses. Some anti-viruses software will even warn the user if these files already caused problems to other uses.
Anti-spyware software
Just like anti-virus software, this protection prevents spyware from being downloaded onto your computer without your knowledge. It prevents hackers from spying the user virtually. Anti-spyware software collects information about people and organization secretly. For example, key loggers, monitor keystrokes to steal personal identities. This is prevented if a highly sophisticated anti-spyware is installed in the computer.
- Identify the present online harassment threats to a personal level.
Online Sexual Solicitation. This is an online communication that a person on the internet tries to communicate a minor and initiates a conversation regarding sex when they do not desire to, a criminal asks a minor to perform a bit sexual they do not desire to, or further sexual approaches materialize on online relationships.
- Research the Internet for solutions and / or tools that can minimize threats to individuals.
The solution to some threats to individuals is to educate one’s self about online predators. This is to prevent these serious acts and the steps to protect itself and the family as well. Practice Internet behavior that lowers the risk. Manage the personal information carefully and use technology to reduce nuisances, and raise the alarm when appropriate.
- Research current event articles for incidents related to cyber bullying.
United States news about a high school teenager, hangs herself when she discovers that he photos are posted online and shared to some classmates in school.
- Make note of efforts and initiatives that agencies or groups are doing to minimize this danger and harm.
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) promotes awareness about the prevention of cyber bullying.
Question 4:
Microsoft Windows Defender
For consumer online safety, this protects users like family, the person, and the computer by learning more about computer safety. It provides useful tools and resources to get an up-to-date with PC safety and security. Windows Defender is antispyware software that is included with Windows 7 and runs automatically. The Defender Windows is the primary resource for IT-Professionals who provides multiple links in terms of technicality resources such as piece of writing, filming, blogging, and forums in the community.
References
US Cert. (2011). Keeping Children Safe Online. Retrieved from
http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST05-002
Berkman (2008). Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technology. Retrieved from
http://www.danah.org/papers/ISTTF-RABLitReview.pdf
Giammona, C. (2012). NBC News: California Case another Three-part tragedy of Rape, cyber
Bullying, and Suicide. Retrieved from
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/14/17747411-california-case-another-three-part-tragedy-of-rape-cyber-bullying-and-suicide?lite
Bourgeois, J. (2013). Cyber Bullying. National Crime Prevention Council. Retrieved from
http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
