internet safety

internet safety 101: the basics of staying safe online

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There's a lot of Hollywood drama about the 'dark side' of the net - spam scams, identity theft and nasty viruses trying their luck with us. But we all know the Internet isn't that scary a place.

It's true there are risks, but like all risks, they can easily be avoided with a little awareness and common sense - the same common sense that applies in all aspects of our lives.

what are the risks?

Threats to online safety generally fall into two categories - social engineering threats and malware threats.

Social engineering refers to using social influence and subversion to obtain personal information. For instance, a would-be thief, pretending to be your bank or insurance provider, may call up requesting confidential account details. On the net, tricksters don't need to talk to you to compromise your privacy.

These days, almost all online shops & service providers use an email identity-check process that doesn't involve passwords - so they'll never ask for yours.

Online scams include fraudulent emails (known as "phishing" emails) linking to fraudulent websites (known as "spoof sites"), or offers of a million dollars if you'd only divulge your bank account number. Or perhaps an email with a funny video clip, game or greeting card - just as strange things begin to happen whenever you use the Internet.

This is where malware threats come in - email viruses, trojans, spyware, keystroke loggers - nasty software sneaking onto you computer, providing an open backdoor for information theft.

how can I stay safe?

Viruses and hoaxes run rampant in the wild, and text-based online chat means you can't pick suspicious body language or tone of voice. But you can safeguard yourself with some basic rules of thumb:

Don't give out account information via email or over the phone
These days, almost all online shops & service providers use an email identity-check process that doesn't involve passwords - so they'll never ask for yours. In fact, you should never have to use your password anywhere but on an official login form.

Keep the personal stuff between trusted friends.

Don't give out personal details online
Did you know that games like "what's your movie star name and "getting to know you" surveys involve the same kind of information used in identity checks? Generally, it's quite safe to make friends and swap stories, so long as you're mindful of how your personal details and Facebook photos can be used to identify you.
Be wary of email attachments
Viruses and spyware can find their way to you via email. When in doubt, if you know the sender, ask for an explanation of the attachment. Never open attachments in unsolicited emails from strangers.
Be wary of dodgy websites
Sites you surf can pose a threat too. Piracy and pornographic sites are known to be the biggest offenders, with malware tacked onto unregulated music, video and software files. Always make sure that the site you're downloading from is reputable and legal. (Check out our favourite legal download sites if you need a hand with this.)
Keep your anti-virus & anti-spyware up to date
Even if you don't have it running constantly, regular updates and scans with an anti-virus and spyware detector will help catch any nasties that sneak on board.

what about the kids?

Although it's next to impossible to shelter kids from the world, there are still a few things you can do to help keep them safe:

Use net filtering or net monitoring software
This one's mostly for younger children. Filtering software on your home network lets you restrict access to unwanted content, while monitoring applications like OnlineFamily.Norton means you can partipicate in your child's online life.
Consider your household setup
Privacy and personal space can be a hot topic when it comes to older kids, and being a 'net nanny' can cause more grief than good. Instead, place computers in shared areas of the home, so you can keep an eye out without having to snoop.
Encourage good communication
The best measure for safety at any age is good, open communication. When your child knows they can trust you, they'll be more likely to keep you updated on their life and speak up about difficult situations.

braving the online terrain

To survive the virtual wilderness, it pays to be educated about what's out there and how to deal with it. For every kind of privacy and safety threat, you'll find a wealth of guides, walkthroughs and free software for both prevention and cure.