Internet Safety

Keep Your Firewall Turned On: A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall protection.

Install or Update Your Antivirus Software:

Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect computers without users' knowledge. Most types of antivirus software can be set up to update automatically.

Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology:

Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering downloadable antispyware—in some cases these products may be fake and may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. It's like buying groceries—shop where you trust.

Keep Your Operating System Up to Date:

Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.

Be Careful What You Download:

Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don't know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.

Turn Off Your Computer:

With the growth of high-speed Internet connections, many opt to leave their computers on and ready for action. The downside is that being "always on" renders computers more susceptible. Beyond firewall protection, which is designed to fend off unwanted attacks, turning the computer off effectively severs an attacker's connection—be it spyware or a botnet that employs your computer's resources to reach out to other unwitting users.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation www.fbi.gov

Safety tips for kid’s at home alone:

At some point our children will be at home alone, and we have provided a checklist of tips to help keep your child safe.

• Make sure your child knows his/her full name, street address, and home telephone number.
• He/she has all telephone numbers to reach you, work, cell-phone, etc.
• Teach your child how to dial 911 and what to tell them when they call.
• They need to keep their house key safe and hidden when so no one else can take it from them, make sure it does not have a name or address written on it or attached to it. It is also a good idea to give a trusted neighbor a copy of the house key in case of emergency.
• Make sure that all doors and windows are locked while the child is at home.
• Teach them to tell anyone who may call the home that you are busy and can’t come to the phone. They should never tell anyone you are not there or no one is home. For example they may say: Mom is cooking can you call back later?
• Advise them to never open the door for anyone unless it is a trusted family member of friend you have told them will be coming while you are gone. If it is a delivery person or uniformed service person, advise them not to answer as well, this is a ploy a lot of criminals use in order to catch someone off guard.
• Next to the phone have a list of important numbers, your contact numbers, family members or trusted adults they can call if there is a problem, police, fire, poison control, and ambulance.
• Have a plan set out on how to escape and what to do if there is a fire or an emergency and practice this with them.
• If they are online chatting with friends or sending e-mails, advise them never to tell anyone they are at home alone.

Source: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children www.missingkids.com

Child Internet Safety:

What Can You Do To Minimize The Chances Of An On-line Exploiter Victimizing Your Child?

• Communicate, and talk to your child about sexual victimization and potential on-line danger.
• Spend time with your children on-line. Have them teach you about their favorite on-line destinations.
• Keep the computer in a common room in the house, not in your child's bedroom. It is much more difficult for a computer-sex offender to communicate with a child when the computer screen is visible to a parent or another member of the household.
• Utilize parental controls provided by your service provider and/or blocking software. While electronic chat can be a great place for children to make new friends and discuss various topics of interest, it is also prowled by computer-sex offenders. Use of chat rooms, in particular, should be heavily monitored. While parents should utilize these mechanisms, they should not totally rely on them.
• Always maintain access to your child's on-line account and randomly check his/her e-mail. Be aware that your child could be contacted through the U.S. Mail. Be up front with your child about your access and reasons why.
• Teach your child the responsible use of the resources on-line. There is much more to the on-line experience than chat rooms.
• Find out what computer safeguards are utilized by your child's school, the public library, and at the homes of your child's friends. These are all places, outside your normal supervision, where your child could encounter an on-line predator.
• Understand, even if your child was a willing participant in any form of sexual exploitation, that he/she is not at fault and is the victim. The offender always bears the complete responsibility for his or her actions.

Search the FDLE Online Sexual Offender Database Now for Predators and other offenders in your area.

Instruct your children:

• to never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met on- line;
• to never upload (post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet or on-line service to people they do not personally know;
• to never give out identifying information such as their name, home address, school name, or telephone number;
• to never download pictures from an unknown source, as there is a good chance there could be sexually explicit images;
• to never respond to messages or bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or harassing;
• that whatever they are told online may or may not be true.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigations www.fbi.gov

Safety Tips for Women/Personal Self Defense

All Women have the responsibility to be prepared to defend ourselves if we are facing a situation that we are the target of an act of violence. It is also the responsibility of all women to insure that violent attacks, aggravated assaults, and rape to our sisters worldwide is not tolerated in today's society. Now there are many safe non-lethal personal protection products sold today that will allow women to protect themselves and their families, such as Tasers, Stun Devices, Pepper Sprays , and Personal Alarms.

There are also some things that can be done for your protection that will not cost you anything other than using your good judgment and intuition when making decisions. Here are some tips that will help you to remain safe and secure.

General Safety Tips:

• Be sure that your personal protection product is handy
• If you feel or see a problem, do whatever you can to avoid a confrontation, change your route, cross the street, and if this fails prepare to defend yourself.
• Do not look like an easy target, look strong and confident-most fights are won before they start as most aggressors will back down if you maintain eye contact and are not intimidated by them.
• Do not hitchhike, always use the bus or take a taxi if you do not have transportation.
• Always carry a personal protection product with you at all times.
  Being Safe While in Your Automobile:
  • Always approach your vehicle with your keys in hand and ready.
  • Check your vehicle before you enter.
  • Getting in and out of, and walking to your vehicle should be considered danger areas.
  • Do not leave you car unlocked even for the few minutes it takes you to run into the convenience store, attackers have been known to lay in wait for these opportunities.
  • Windows and doors should be locked even while driving to prevent unwanted passengers at intersections and stop lights.
  • Always remain alert when in parking lots or parking garages, and if you are concerned about going to your vehicle ask someone to escort you.
• Have your Personal Protection equipment within reach.
  Safety while using public transportation services:
  • When waiting on the bus or taxi to arrive wait in a coffee shop or a well lighted area.
  • Choose an isle seat when possible to prevent being blocked in by a potential attacker.
  • During the evening hours try and pick the train compartment that is carrying the most passengers. There is safety in numbers.
  • If you are taking the bus try and get a seat behind the bus driver or near the exit door.
• Walking/Jogging Safety:
  • Be alert and aware of you surroundings, do not go places that seem to be dangerous.
  • Do not assume that the area your in is safe because it has been safe in the past. Predators can be anywhere so be prepared.

Sources: http://www.myspace.com/missingkidsusa
http://recentlymissing.org