© Hodder Gibson 2012
Staying safe online
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Dangers on the Internet
There are a number of dangers on the Internet such as:
viruses spyware identity theft software to remotely control your
computer grooming.
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Viruses and spyware
A computer virus is a program that will damage your computer.
Spyware is a program that spies on your computer and steals information.
You can use anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your computer.
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Firewalls
A firewall helps to prevent people accessing and controlling your computer.
Many computers have a firewall pre-installed.
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Back up and encrypt data
Protect your data by making backup copies of discs and programs.
Use encryption (put your data into a secret code) to make it more difficult for hackers to see it.
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Use strong passwords
A strong password is one that is hard to break.
Use a combination of UPPER and lower case letters and numbers, e.g. IsleofSkye12?
Make your password at least eight characters long.
Change your password frequently, even the strongest passwords can be broken!
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Shop safely
Check that you are shopping at a real and trusted website, not a fake one which may be illegal.
Make sure that the website has a secure way to pay, e.g. PayPal, so you’re personal information cannot be stollen.
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Prevent phishing!
‘Phishing’ is when someone tries to get your personal and financial details using fake websites and emails.
Use software to check that sites do not contain threats.
Don't open unwanted emails or emails from people you don’t know. These emails are known as ‘spam’.
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Take care when using social networking sites
Be careful when using social networking sites, like Facebook, or chat rooms.
Remember, not everyone is who they claim to be!
Be careful what information you give out about yourself in chat rooms.
Avoid giving out your phone number or your full date of birth.
© Hodder Gibson 2012
Beware of grooming
Grooming is when an adult pretends to be a young person and uses chatrooms and sites like Facebook to:
get to know young people get their personal details carry out illegal activities try to meet young people in real life.
