New Millennium Computers' Technology Blog brings you the latest technology news about computers, gadgets and the World Wide Web; software tips and tricks and introductions to interesting topics such as social media and online privacy/safety issues.
National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) "conducted every October since 2004, is a national public awareness campaign to encourage everyone to protect their computers and our nation’s critical cyber infrastructure.
Cyber security requires vigilance 365 days per year. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), the primary drivers of NCSAM, coordinate to shed a brighter light in October on what home users, schools, businesses and governments need to do in order to protect their computers, children, and data." *
Here are some resources to help you, your family and your business stay safe online:
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Parents, NMC wants to make you aware of another internet safety issue. Cyberbullying or online social cruelty or electronic bullying is a growing problem where individuals are harassed, embarrassed or threatened online or via text message. This problem is prevalent among teens but adults may find themselves victim of this type of bullying as well.
Below is some information from the National Crime Prevention Council describing the various forms of cyberbullying that teens may encounter and how it can be prevented:
How Are Teens Cyberbullied?
Being a victim of cyberbullying can be a common and painful experience. Some youth who cyberbully
* Pretend they are other people online to trick others
* Spread lies and rumors about victims
* Trick people into revealing personal information
* Send or forward mean text messages
* Post pictures of victims without their consent
When teens were asked why they think others cyberbully, 81 percent said that cyberbullies think it’s funny. Other teens believe that youth who cyberbully
* Don’t think it’s a big deal
* Don’t think about the consequences
* Are encouraged by friends
* Think everybody cyberbullies
* Think they won’t get caught
How Do Victims React?
Contrary to what cyberbullies may believe, cyberbullying is a big deal, and can cause a variety of reactions in teens. Some teens have reacted in positive ways to try to prevent cyberbullying by
* Blocking communication with the cyberbully
* Deleting messages without reading them
* Talking to a friend about the bullying
* Reporting the problem to an Internet service provider or website moderator
Many youth experience a variety of emotions when they are cyberbullied. Youth who are cyberbullied report feeling angry, hurt, embarrassed, or scared. These emotions can cause victims to react in ways such as
* Seeking revenge on the bully
* Avoiding friends and activities
* Cyberbullying back
Some teens feel threatened because they may not know who is cyberbullying them. Although cyberbullies may think they are anonymous, they can be found. If you are cyberbullied or harassed and need help, save all communication with the cyberbully and talk to a parent, teacher, law enforcement officer, or other adult you trust.
How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying?
Teens have figured out ways to prevent cyberbullying. Follow in the footsteps of other quick-thinking teens and
* Refuse to pass along cyberbullying messages
* Tell friends to stop cyberbullying
* Block communication with cyberbullies
* Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult
You can also help prevent cyberbullying by
* Speaking with other students, as well as teachers and school
administrators, to develop rules against cyberbullying
* Raising awareness of the cyberbullying problem in your community
by holding an assembly and creating fliers to give to younger
kids or parents
* Sharing NCPC’s anti-cyberbullying message with friends
Don’t forget that even though you can’t see a cyberbully or the bully’s victim, cyberbullying causes real problems. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Delete cyberbullying. Don’t write it. Don’t forward it.
* 15% said they had been cyberbullied online
* 10% had been cyberbullied by cell phone
* 7% said they had cyberbullied another person online
* 5% had cyberbullied another person by cell phone
In this video, Aaron Kenny of InternetSafety.com is interviewed about cyberbullying and suggests that limiting the amount of time teens spend online could help in preventing this type of behavior. He also recommends that victims of online cyberbullying should contact the administrator of the website where any negative information is posted to ask that it be flagged and reviewed to determine if it should be taken down.
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With nearly 2 billion users on the world wide web, we must be aware of the dangers that we can be exposed to while browsing the web such as identity theft and computer viruses. For children in particular, we must protect them from online predators, cyberbullying and inappropriate content such as nudity, drugs and violence.
Some of the key steps to protect your children while they are on-line are:
* Learn the basics of the internet so you understand what your children are doing online and know how to access the websites that they are viewing
* Create a contract between the parent and child(ren) that details the rules of acceptable online behavior
* Ensure that websites have a secure connection with SSL 128 encryption before giving any personal information
* Install a strong antivirus program and firewall to keep your computer safe from viruses and spyware (Note: NMC offers AVG Internet Security 9.0)
* Install and activate a pop-up blocker on your browser
* Ask your internet service provider if they offer any tools to block undesirable content from your children
For more tips on how you can protect your children while they are on-line, please visit these sites:
New Millennium Computers can also install security software for you and set-up your computer for safe browsing on the web, please call us at 212-851-8426 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 212-851-8426 end_of_the_skype_highlighting for more information and to set up an appointment.
