Cybersecurity

.pdf

School

University of Nebraska, Omaha *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

2500

Subject

Information Systems

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

pdf

Pages

Uploaded by irvinehy

Technology like smartphones, tablets, computers, and the internet are a big part of everyday life for most people in the digital age. Hacking, phishing, and other malicious software exists across these technologies, and children can be especially susceptible to predators online. Cybersecurity can help prevent the threats that exist when using technology and the internet. These tips can help parents keep their children and families safe when using technology. Sites or links may look legitimate but contain viruses or malware. It’s important to be mindful of the links we click or the files we download on the internet. Educate your children on the importance of not clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from the internet without permission. Various protective and preventative softwares are available for different operating systems. There are also various pop- up blockers that can prevent vulnerabilities in your system that might make it susceptible to hacking or phishing. EDUCATE YOUR FAMILY Teaching children how and why to be safe online can help prevent cyber attacks on your child/family. Knowledge of cybersecurity and safe behavior online will help your child know what sites or links to avoid. USE STRONG, SMART PASSWORDS AND USE 2-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION Changing passwords often and using a mix of characters INCLUDING special characters can prevent hacking of accounts. Two-factor authentication has also become popular across technologies and requires you to use a trusted device when logging in from a new browser or device. MONITOR OR CONTROL YOUR CHILD’S ACTIVITY ONLINE There are various ways to monitor or control your child’s activity online. Limiting screen-time, for starters, limits the amont of time a child spends per day online, and therefore limits the threats to children online. There are automated softwares that can limit screen-time for you. Children with smartphones may also have location services turned on in order for parents to track their child’s location, keeping them safe from strangers. You may also use content filters on software that your child accesses to keep them from viewing sites or content that may be inappropriate or unsafe.

STRANGER DANGER As in the real world, predators exist online that specifically target children. Teaching children not to give out personal information online is an essential part of cybersecurity. Children may also be exposed to inappropriate content or language online or even sexually exploited. Teaching children to have caution toward strangers the same way they would in real life is a good rule of thumb for staying safe on the internet. ONLINE ETIQUETTE What you put online stays there forever. Children should be taught to treat others with respect online. It’s important for parents to realize that the risk of cyberbullying is apparent anytime their child uses the internet, which may expose them to hate speech, violent content, or even content coaxing young minds into self- harm or suicide. The internet is a great resource of knowledge but should be used with caution. Teaching children about cyberbullying may also allow children to feel more comfortable reporting inappropriate behavior online should the need arise. National Cybersecurity Alliance : A non-profit organization whose mission is to “create a more secure, interconnected world.” There are several articles on the site that are useful, including their Online Safety Basics and K-12 Cybersecurity : Keep Kids Secure from Kindergarten to Graduation Internet Matters : Founded in 2014, Internet Matters works to help parents keep their families safe online. There are various articles to help parents with internet safety, as well as guides like My Family’s Digital Toolkit which is a personalized guide for your family based on your answers to a few questions. Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) : A division of the National Crime Agency (NCA) that has educational resources for children and families including their Online Contact and Staying Safe page and multiple pages for advice about grooming, sexual exploitation, etc. on the web. An article from FamilyOnlineSafety called The Top 10 Best Parental Control Apps of 2023 which details different parental control applications that can be used to control children's activities online. The article lists several key features for each of the different applications. A Wall Street Journal Article titled Parents who Share info About Their Kids Online are a Cybersecurity Risk. Here’s Why. that discusses the ways parents may put their children in danger online without realizing it. This article details some of the risks that come with using the internet - social media especially - and how to keep your family safe.

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