The internet is an amazing source of information. Apart from just getting its right use, it may provide us fun by downloading our favorite movies, songs, and games. The internet might be a worry factor for parents. Using broadband as most user do, allows users to freely access websites where they can be targeted very easily. The article is meant for parents who need a consistent check on their kid activities without disturbing them.
The threats can be categorized as under;
Types of Threats:-
Websites:
The kids might be exposed to Websites containing explicit images. Some websites might have a warning on their main page, but most of them don't. So it depends whether your child hit the warning page or enter directly into a site.
Chat rooms:
The Chat rooms offer tough time to users security especially kids in numerous ways. In most of the cases, grownups pose as kids and gain access to their family secret data e.g. passwords, credit card codes, family pictures etc. They might intrude in their systems and fetch important files. In few cases the offenders tried to arrange secret meetings with kids.
Spam or Junk Email:
Another major worry for a parent is spam email containing explicit images, Spam also known as Bulk or Junk Email, are basically advertisements containing messages. Adult websites use young email users and those with less know how by sending them these email messages and involving them in their social circles.
In order to get save from such threats, following is a short description for coping up with such situation. If you are a Father with least or even no knowledge of Computers and Internet, you can get rid of theses risks faced by your kids. You may follow either of the prescribed safety options.
General Counter Measure Practices:
Workspace: Place the computer in an open area favorably a common room or TV Lounge etc.
Time of Use: Make a schedule for using the internet preferably when you are present.
Educate your Kid(s): Treat your kids in a friendly mood and tell him that the safety is being done for their own benefit.
So, Advise them
1. Never share their personal information with unknown people on the internet (Never give out any personal details, like your name, home town, cell/ landline number, email address, School and not even answers of your secret questions you have opted for password recovery of your email address)..
2. Never arrange meeting with anyone without an adult accompanying you.
3. Tell the kids to share if something unnatural/ disturbing/ alarming happens to them while they are surfing the internet.
4. Advice them to stay anonymous, all times when using public chat rooms.
5. Advice him to use good search engines with limited searching words.
6. Advice them to avoid unnecessary site visits.
7. Avoid using Internet Relay Chat (mIRC) sort of open access Chatting Software.
8. Avoid downloading Free wares, Share wares (Free Utility Softwares).
9. Avoid saving passwords in them computer.
10. Do never reply to unsolicited emails.
Technology Based E-Solutions:
1. Mark the unsolicited emails as Spam or Junk Email and block them.
2. Frequently update your Anti Spyware and Antivirus Programs.
3. Turn your System's Firewall status to ON.
4. Go to Tools > Internet Options > Content > And Click "Enable" on the Content Adviser and select what you would like be viewable/not viewable.
5. Install Parental Control Softwares (e.g Net Nanny, Cyber Patrol, Cyber Sitter etc) to monitor and manage your child's internet activity.
6. Block unnecessary sites if visited by him/her.
7. Frequently change your password and adopt strong password strategy.
8. Never give your logins to other. So even a home computer with multiple users should create their separate user accounts.
9. Never grant permission to users for sharing, desktop connectivity or remote desktop sharing.
10. Unplug the network wire (Wired) and Switch off Wi-Fi when Internet is not being used.
Conclusion
The simple, easy to understand and adoptable measures would not only secure your kid from Internet Threats but would be helpful in prolonging your PC health. I hope you will get a nice rich internet experience with your kids.
Aaqif Afzaal Abbasi
