MANY YOUNG CANADIANS today are spending about as much time online as they are watching TV – about 10 hours each week. Unlike TV, however, Internet activity comes with the ever-present risk of kids falling prey to online predators.
For parents, safety and security online should always be a top priority when it comes to computer use in the home or at school.
Also, in the last few months, Canadians of all ages have been reminded in the news of the perils of hackers breaking into databases and stealing personal information.
October is Cyber Security Month across North America and that makes it a perfect time to encourage Canadians – including their ISPs – to think about and assess what is being done – and what more they can be doing – to maximize online safety and security for themselves and their families. Here’s a detailed look at some of the problem areas that exist today and how we can all deal with them effectively in our own way.
Spyware: Beware
‘Spyware’ is a type of software that companies or advertisers use to track consumers’ online activities. It can be both good and bad. Companies can see where a person’s preferences lie and then send appropriate messages or ads. But because spyware often collects personal information or changes the configurations on your computer without anyone’s consent, users must be on guard whenever they install new software or sign up to online sites. The key to limiting personal information from getting out, is to spend time reading all disclosures, including the licensing and privacy statements, when installing new software or signing up on any web site.
Phishing: Baited by e-mail
‘Phishing’ comes from the term fishing, and it involves the use of e-mail to bait unsuspecting Internet users. Thieves send out an e-mail that looks like a legitimate letter from a bank or other recognized organizations. This e-mail directs people to click a link to a fake web site that to most people looks completely real and legitimate. People who are fooled into logging onto the system then usually supply passwords, SIN card numbers, banking information or other personal data that the dishonest web site operator is tracking for later use. They are basically getting the keys to your personal information and essentially able to open the door to banking, credit or other personal accounts.
Anyone getting an e-mail from a legitimate company asking to go to their site should be wary. Look for spelling or grammatical errors as a tip-off. Also, call the company to confirm that the e-mail is legitimate but avoid using the phone number supplied in the e-mail – the crooks will be waiting for you. Taking the right precautions can save months of anguish. Review credit cards and bank statements regularly to ensure that no one is stealing funds or making purchases illegally. Finally, if you are a victim of a ‘phishing’ scam, notify the company and the authorities.
Online predation: More common than you think
Since it launched in September, 2002, Cybertip.ca, a tipline for reporting the sexual exploitation of children, has forwarded reports to law enforcement that have resulted in 28 arrests and the removal of as many as 2,100 web sites. Cybertip.ca also helps to make sure kids and their families are safe while online.
Popular Internet Service Providers (ISP) like Bell Sympatico and its newly launched ‘Total Internet’ now provide a range of blockers, filters, parental controls, firewalls, anti-spyware software and fraud protectors to provide Canadian users a safe experience online. As Canada’s leading ISP, Bell Sympatico blocks more than 200 million spam messages a day and filters or stops close to 800,000 viruses and worms per month.
While reputable ISPs do their best to protect Canadian Internet users and their families, parents must also take responsibility for their children’s online activities and should get to know what services and applications (chat, e-mail, web, etc.) their children are using. Other tips include:
* Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children, such as: amount of time spent online; children should tell parents or guardian when they feel uncomfortable, scared or confused; never give out personal information such as name, home address, phone number, age, race, family income, school name or location, or friends’ names; agree on reasonable consequences if rules/guidelines are broken.
* Keep computer easily visible in an open, well-used area of the house to allow easy monitoring of activity.
The Internet is a great resource for everyone but as its capabilities grow more sophisticated, so are the efforts of people seeking to take advantage of Internet users of all ages. At this time of year, and all year long, Canadians and their ISPs should remember that keeping the Internet safe is everyone’s responsibility and that each of us should play a role.
Patrick McLean is vice-president marketing, Bell consumer Internet services.
