Internet Safety & Security

Internet safety is the knowledge of how to protect yourself and your family while online. It includes awareness of the most common online threats, how to avoid them, and what to do if you or your family members are victimized by them.

Most threats to internet users fall into one of four categories:

• phishing, which is when scammers try to trick you into giving them your personal information
• malware, which is software that can harm your computer or steal your information
• cyberbullying, which is when someone uses the internet to threaten, harass, or embarrass someone else
• online predators, who use the internet to exploit children or adults for sexual purposes.

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There are a number of simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family online:

• Keep your personal information private. Don’t give out your full name, address, phone number, or any other identifying information unless you know and trust the person you’re communicating with.
• Be aware of what you share on social media. Anything you post on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be seen by anyone – even if you think your account is private.
• Be cautious about what you click on. Many malware infections occur when people click on links or attachments in emails or instant messages from people they don’t know.
• Use strong passwords and keep them confidential. A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Keep your computer and software up to date. Install security updates for your operating system and web browser as soon as they’re available.
• If you or a family member is the victim of online bullying, harassment, or predators, there are a number of steps you can take
• Save any evidence of the abuse. This can include screenshots, emails, text messages, or social media posts.
• Block the person who is abusing you. Most social media sites and chat apps have block functions that can prevent someone from contacting you.
• Report the abuse to the social media site or chat app. Many of these platforms have mechanisms in place to deal with abusive users.
• Contact law enforcement. If you or a family member is in danger, or if you’ve been the victim of a crime, you should contact your local police department.