Top tips to stay safe on-line
Tuesday, 15th March 2011
Following the success of Monday's internet safety seminars in Stirling, we feel it is important to give a quick guide to some of the simple measures you can take to protect your family on-line.
Look at your computer system at home and take the following steps:
- Make sure you connection to the internet is secure. If you use wi-fi make sure it is secured so that only people with your password or key number can access it (never give this out to people outwith your home). If you do not know how to do this contact you internet service provider and they will talk you through how to do that as every system is slightly different.
- Most computers come with a built in firewall. Make sure this is switched on. To do this you normally have to click on the start button and then on the control panel. If the firewall icon does not appear there then it should be found within the security centre within the control panel.
- Ensure you have installed an anti-virus system. There are many such as Norton and McAfee. Systems like these and others will help to prevent attacks on your PC and many include a system that alerts you as to whether or not a web site you are visiting has been previously checked to make sure it is safe.
The next step is to set up controls on your internet.
- Ensure your pop-up blocker is turned on. This can be done via the TOOLS tab which is normally on the top right hand side of the screen on your internet page. This will stop unwanted and un-checked adverts popping up onto the screen. Once it is turned on go back into tools and click on pop-up blocker settings. If set to medium it should prevent most pop ups from appearing on your screen while still allowing new internet pages to pop up when you click on a link.
- In the same way you did the pop up blocker, go back in and turn on your phishing filter. This filter helps to avoid scams that create fake web site. Such sites ask for personal information including bank details or offer corrupted downloads.
- Again go back into the tools bar and click on the internet options, then on to cookies. Make sure the security settings are raised for this area also.
The next issue is how to protect yourself and children when surfing online.
There are various steps you can take. It is not about spying on your children, it is about protecting them and encouraging them to use the internet safely.
- Keep the computer in an open area, for example, the living room so that you check what sites they are on from time to time.
- Check the browsing history. This is usually in the same tab as you favourites. If the history has been deleted then there may be an issue. You can often check deleted history by clicking on the search button in the history section, type the letter C in the search box and then hit return. This should bring up all the sites visited along with a date, time and number of times visited. If the search history has been deleted then you may wish to speak with your child to find out why.
- If your children are using social networking then ask them to make you a friend on their page so that you can see whatÆs going on. Again nothing intrusive is needed but it is a way on encouraging them to be responsible.
- Make sure both you and your children know what the CEOP button looks like (link to CEOP website is at the end of this article) and know where to find it on social network sites and chat sites.
- On chat sites like MSN etc, go into message setting and tick the `Automatically keep a history of my conversations` button in the message history section. This will mean you can go in later and check what has been said. To do this make sure your child gives you access (eg passwords)
- Again on the same types of chat facilities go into the Privacy Options sections and click on Private. This means only friends can get access and reduces the risk of strangers getting in.
- On sites such as facebook, bebo, myspace etc make sure your privacy settings are set. This is normally done by clicking on account, then privacy settings then custom. We recommend you always tick friends only, as the friends of friends option would give access to strangers.
- Use your own personal e-mail for the social network site(s) so that you get alerts about online conversations
- Talk to your children about the contacts/friends they have on their pages. If they do not actually know the person then encourage your children to delete them. This should reduce the risk to them talking to strangers.
- Make sure that nobody other than yourself is paying for online gaming for your children on Xbox or P3S. If you have concerns about who they are talking to, then an option could be to remove the headsets so that they cannot have unrestricted chat.
- Make sure you and your children always sign out of any networking site once you have finished going online
- Talk to your children and make sure they know never to give our their personal details such as names, dates of birth, addresses, phone number etc.
- If they have a mobile phone contact the provider and have restrictions put in place for both internet and the types of numbers they can call.
- If you do see anything that gives you cause for concern then report by clicking on the CEOP report now button or in an emergency by calling 999.
While this list is by no means exhaustive and not everyone will take every measure, by taking some simple steps we can reduce the risks to our young people. The internet can be a fantastic tool but like the real world the virtual world has dangers and parents can take measure to help protect their children.
Further Information
You can contact your local police office or contact Constable Anton Stephenson at Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000.
