Brett W. Young

Net Safety

Because… The Internet

The dangers and the resources for protecting parents & children

Dangers

  1. Personal information exposure
  2. Unauthorized in-app purchases
  3. Adult content
  4. Cyberbullying
  5. Sexting
  6. Multi-player online games
  7. Stealth apps
  8. “Party” pictures
  9. Viral video attempts
  10. Public shaming
  11. Identity theft
  12. Banking & transaction fraud / financial theft
  13. …and more!

Helpful Guides to Educate Yourself

  1. Internet Safety: https://internetsafety101.org/parentsguidetosocialmedia
  2. Age-based guidelines for internet usage: https://internetsafety101.org/agebasedguidlines
  3. Smart phone safety & security: https://internetsafety101.org/objects/Parents_Guide_to_Smart_Phone_Security.pdf
  4. Protecting your credit: https://www.brettwyoung.org/protect-your-credit/
  5. Protecting your login info: https://www.brettwyoung.org/protect-login-info/
  6. Enough is Enough: https://enough.org/resource_center
  7. GetNetwise: http://www.getnetwise.org/ (frequently updated news & links related to internet safety)
  8. NetSafeUtah: https://www.netsafeutah.org (large list of resources for kids, teens, & parents)
  9. Practicing digital self defense: https://www.schwab.com/resource-center/insights/content/practicing-digital-self-defense

Tech Rules: If you’re on the internet then you must…

  1. NEVER use the same password on multiple sites. The only secure password is the one you can’t remember!  Hopefully these articles are enough to scare you into changing every password to be unique and random for every login on every website, app, and device you use:
    1. https://www.troyhunt.com/the-773-million-record-collection-1-data-reach/
    2. https://www.wired.com/2012/08/apple-amazon-mat-honan-hacking/
    3. Check to see if your email has been compromised: https://haveibeenpwned.com/
  2. NEVER get on the internet without antivirus and firewall protection. If you get on the internet without these protections, you are not my friend.
  3. NEVER connect to a public wifi (Starbucks, internet café, McDonalds, the airport, etc) unless using a VPN
  4. NEVER just accept that facebook invitation from a long-lost friend (or a close friend, for that matter). Do background research first to ensure it’s not a spoof account!
  5. Assume at all times that somebody is trying to get your (and your kids’) info
  6. Change default passwords on routers, webcams, baby cams, etc.
  7. Use unique passwords or passcodes on all your devices at all times.

Tech Tips

  1. Limit the personal info shared online
  2. Disable location tracking on apps and devices
  3. Defend your devices (using VPN, update security)
  4. Be careful where you click.  
  5. Don’t get caught by phishers: use email software that detects and blocks these schemes
  6. Be smart about passwords: use a password manager to manage all of your passwords and create unique passwords for all logins
  7. Keep OS, software, and apps up to date.  Most updates include a security patch.  Set Windows to auto-update.
  8. Use security software 
  9. Be aware of scams
  10. Be careful about plugins in your browser or device
  11. Use 2-factor authentication:  List of sites accepting 2FA: https://twofactorauth.org
  12. Report suspicious activity or threats 

Tech Tools

  1. Guides for setting up mobile devices for kid use
    1. Parental Control Features for Mobile Devices (all manufacturers): http://www.growingwireless.com/learn-engage/parental-control-tools/parental-controls-features-and-resources
  2. HARDWARE
    1. KoalaSafe.com: https://koalasafe.com makes a device to connect to your internet router that you, as a parent, can control with your phone to control what kids computers and devices have access to and at what times. More granular control than Apple or Android provide. $79 on Amazon
    2. Disney Circle: https://meetcircle.com/ Device similar to Koala that allows you to manage every device in your home that’s connected to your Wi-Fi. Also has a subscription app.  $50 for device + $50/yr for the app
  3. SOFTWARE
    1. OpenDNS.org Family Shield: https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/ Block adult sites and more at the router level. Free
    2. Apple Screen Time: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982 included in iOS 12 and later.      Free
    3. Password Managers: https://1password.com or https://lastpass.com
    4. Security / Anti-Virus / Firewall : At a minimum enable Windows Defender.  Install https://Norton.com , https://Mcafee.com, or https://webroot.com. Do NOT use Kaspersky.
    5. Qustodio Parental Control: https://www.qustodio.com Designed to supervise, manage and protect your child’s device use on the go. $40-$100/yr
    6. Comparison of Parental Control Apps: https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/342731/the-best-parental-control-apps-for-your-phone
    7. Kiddle.co: https://www.kiddle.co   A family-friendly web search engine.   Free