Smart Tools

Boosting your browsing safety

Do you have an updated antivirus software? Do you open file attachments from unknown email senders? Do you use a firewall or have open file sharing? Is your Internet connection on all the time, even when you are not using the computer?

Do you use passwords with mixed numbers and uppercase and lowercase letters? Do you have backups for your important files? If you check the security setting on your Internet browser software, is it set to High, Medium or Low?

Answering all these questions might seem like such a pain, as it reminds you of the things you still have to do. But take heed. Malicious hackers and virus writers can easily infect your computer if you have low security settings in your email and web browsing software.

You might say, “I am just a teacher or a student in some city in the Philippines. Why would hackers find their way into my personal information?” But these things do happen, and it is always best to be prepared.

Start by:

  1. Setting your browser security to High. Open the Settings or Options menu of your browser. Look for the Security tab and set it to high or check protocols and certificates.
  2. Blocking pop-up windows. This utility prevents unwanted, additional windows from opening especially when you visit websites or links that are not familiar to you.
  3. Using tools that can guide students during their online surfing. There are many tools that can help schools filter sexually explicit graphic descriptions or images. Check out http://kids.getnetwise.org/tools/. The site also offers tools to monitor and limit kids’ online activities or block their personal information like name, home address, etc. from being posted online.
  4. Checking your ISP or online service provider. Tools that can protect you or your students from unwanted information are also offered by your online service provider. Options can also be explored in http://kids.getnetwise.org/tools/ispoptions.
  5. Teaching about cyber security and safety. USA Today has a series of lesson plans on this topic, tackling issues like Cyber Ethics, Cyber Security and Cyber Safety. The archive of their 2006 lessons is also available online.

Possible lesson plans could include discussions on how your students feel and behave when posting comments or photos. Questions could range from “Do you treat others online the same way you would treat someone in person?” and “Why do you think some people feel free to be cruel on the Internet?”

Another possibility would be to group students into threes and have them pretend that they are part of the ethics board of Friendster, a popular social networking site. Tell them that it is their job to ensure Friendster does not promote hateful or unethical behavior on the site, and they should come up with five-ten rules of conduct. They should explain why the rules they came up with are necessary in front of the class.

Taking the steps to protect yourself and your students is the first step in being secure in cyberspace.

Sources:

“Are you secure?.” Retrieved May 14, 2008 from
http://staysafeonline.org/basics/quiz.html
“Cyber Security Awareness.” Retrieved May 14, 2008 from http://www.usatoday.com/educate/cybersecurity/index.html
“Improve the safety of your browsing and e-mail activities.” Retrieved May 14, 2008 from
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/browsing.mspx
“Tools for Families.” Retrieved May 14, 2008 from http://kids.getnetwise.org/tools/

(Published 26 May 2008, Smart Communications, Inc.)