We teach our children to use the buddy system. We remind them to look both ways before crossing the street. We instruct them not to accept gifts from strangers. But one of the most dangerous threats of all lies in the place many of us consider to be the safest: our own home.
Despite all of the precautions we take to protect our families and safeguard our residences, none of us are immune to the risks of the internet. Our computers, smartphones, and tablets allow us to access boundless information and communicate with people all over the world; unfortunately, these virtual connections also expose our vulnerabilities and leave us open to online predators.
Poor Privacy Settings
- Location Services: GPS capabilities can be useful in finding directions or nearby restaurants; however, many users are unaware that smartphone apps often run hidden location services in the background. These apps not only pinpoint your exact coordinates, but attach them to your status updates, tweets, and more. Prevent stalking, spying, and theft by customizing your settings to use location services only when necessary.
- Public Profiles: It might surprise you to learn that default privacy settings on social networking sites are actually quite public. The next time you log on to your social media profile(s), conduct a quick overview of your account options to ensure that your information isn’t visible to the world.
Careless Clicking
- Phishing is a tactic commonly used by cybercriminals to obtain confidential information from a target. Typically a victim provides access to the crook by clicking on a fraudulent link that appears to be from a legitimate company. To prevent fraud or identify theft, never log into an account from a link in an email, regardless of how real it appears; instead, open a new browser window and manually enter the website address.
- Viruses and Malware: Email attachments and links are also a major source of viruses and malware that can compromise your personal information and cripple your computer. A good rule of thumb: if you are not expecting it, don’t open it. When in doubt, close it out!
False Sense of Security
- Passwords: Although weak passwords are the most common mistake, even the strongest password isn’t foolproof. If you aren’t changing your passwords regularly, or if you are using the same password for different websites, you are increasing your risk of victimization.
- Public WiFi: Don’t conduct sensitive business or transmit confidential information over public WiFi hotspots, where hackers can easily intercept unencrypted data. Banking transactions should only be completed at home.
- Online Shopping: Enter your credit card information on secured sites only. A locked padlock or unbroken key symbol in your browser denotes a “secure” website. In addition, when making a purchase, the beginning of the retailer’s URL should change from "http" to "https" to indicate the connection is secure.
Stranger Danger
- Online Marketplaces: We teach our kids not to trust strangers, and it only makes sense to exercise the same caution when conducting business on websites like Craigslist. To avoid fraud and ensure personal safety, always meet potential buyers/sellers in daylight hours, in a public, well-trafficked location. If possible, bring a buddy along. Ask questions – a legitimate seller won’t mind. Obtain proper documentation if necessary.
- Parental Controls: 95% of teens (ages 12-17) are online.1 Even the most responsible kids can stumble upon inappropriate content or encounter an online predator. For this reason, it is important to monitor children’s internet activities. Parental control options can be activated on almost all new computers, smartphones, and tablets.
[1] Lenhart A, et al. Teens, kindness and cruelty on social network sites. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2010.
