safe computing on the internet professional & vocational development in collaboration with aun...

Safe Computing on the Internet

Professional & Vocational Development

In collaboration with AUN ICT Centre

AMERICAN UNIVERISTY OF NIGERIA Professional & Vocational Development

Main Objectives

Upon successful completion of this session, attendees will:

Have knowledge of the possible threats that they may encounter online

Understand the need for, and be able to create strong passwords

Understand the importance of, and kind of antivirus protection to use

Have knowledge of managing spam & email attachments, and also be able to identify and avoid phishing scams

Have knowledge of private browsing and relevant strategies for private browsing

Have knowledge of security relating to wireless networks and mobile devices


Session Outline

Outline Introduction To Internet Safety

Password: The First Steps To Safety

Protecting Your Computer From Internet Threats

Email Tips For Scam & Spam

Staying Safe While Browsing

Smart Social Networking and Communication Tips

Wireless and Mobile Device Safety


Introduction To Internet Safety


Introduction

This lesson will introduce you to the types of threats you may encounter while online.

It will teach you basic strategies like how to Google yourself and create strong passwords, in addition to encouraging you to adopt a safer mindset toward using the Internet.


Adopting a Safer Mindset

Have You?

Have you ever Googled yourself to see what information can be found on you?

Have you set your computer's security program to make sure you are getting regular updates?

Are you enticed by emails or advertisements with special discount offers?

When shopping online, do you check a website's security status before entering your billing information?

Have you customized your privacy settings for your social networking accounts like Facebook, Twitter, and Skype?


Think of the Internet as You Would Think of A Shopping Mall

1 Generally, a mall is not considered a dangerous place. We go there to shop, run errands, and meet people, but we also take precautions while there.

2 The same applies when we are online. We need not fear our every mouse click, but we should take precautions to ensure our safety


Understanding Internet Threats


Internet safety and privacy

Privacy violations can especially affect our mental and physical well-being, thus creating distress or harm from the following:

Undesired advertisements that can be annoying

Embarrassing or humiliating photos or videos

Identity theft

Offline or real-world crimes


Googling Yourself

Google Yourself

Do you know how much anyone can quickly find out about you and your background just by conducting a simple web search?

Most people don't know that personal records such as their addresses, phone numbers, and sometimes even their pictures can be easily accessible to anyone online.

Google yourself regularly to find out which websites and public databases share information about you.


Password: The First Step to Safety


Just A Password?

Most people don't put a lot of thought into creating a password. It's usually easiest just to create a short, easy-to-remember password, or even just to use the same password for every account.

However, hackers often use password-cracking software that can keep testing different passwords until they find the correct one, and they can easily crack weak passwords.

By creating strong passwords, you can greatly reduce the chance that your personal or financial information will be stolen.


Common password mistakes

Many people create passwords based on their spouse's names, a hobby, or a simple pattern because these types of passwords are easy to remember. Unfortunately, they are also easy for hackers to guess.

To create a strong password, you will need to avoid these types of common mistakes in the next slide.


Common Password Mistakes


Tips For Creating a Strong Password

TipsNever use personal information .

Use a longer password.

Keep password in a secure place.

Don't use the same password for each account.

Include numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters if the site allows it.

Avoid using words that can be found in the dictionary.

Random passwords are the strongest.


25 Worst Passwords of 2013 According To Splashdata

Anyone familiar to you?

123456password 12345678qwerty abc123123456789 1111111234567 iloveyouadobe123 123123admin 1234567890letmein photoshop1234 monkeyshadow sunshine12345 password1princess azertytrustno1 000000


Using Password Managers

Instead of writing your passwords on paper where others can easily see them, you can use a password manager to encrypt and store them online.

Some password managers can also generate random passwords, making your information even more secure.

Examples of password managers include LastPass, KeePass, Firefox's password manager, and Google Chrome's password manager.


Protecting Your Computer From Internet Threat


How Do I Protect my PC?

In this lesson, we will review what kind of antivirus protection you might need and how you can determine which product is best for you.


What Protection Do You Need?

Your antivirus should be composed of these three main components

Antivirus

Anti-spyware

Firewalls


Email Tips for Scam & Spam


Introduction

In order to protect ourselves from phishing scams and malware, it is essential that we learn how to safely manage our mail.

In this lesson, you will learn tips for managing spam and email attachments. In addition, you will learn how to identify and avoid phishing scams.


Spam

Spam is another term for junk email or unwanted email advertisements. Today, a majority of emails are spam.

Phishing scams and malware are often included in spam, so it is important to be able to effectively manage the spam we receive in our inbox.


Tips For Dealing with Spam

Use a spam blocker.

Don't reply to spam.

Turn off images.

Turn off your preview pane

Regularly check your spam folder.


Email Scam

Email scams come in many different forms, but generally they work by promising you something that's too good to be true or by making you think something bad will happen if you do not act.

Popular email scams include work-at-home offers, weight-loss claims, debt-relief programs, and cure-all products.


Phishing

Phishing is a type of scam in which an email pretends to be from a bank or another trusted source to trick you into handing over your personal information.

Scammers can use this information to withdraw money from your bank account or steal your identity. A phishing email will often have a sense of urgency.

For example, it may claim that "unauthorized charges" were made on your credit card and that you need to immediately verify your information.


Phishing


General Tips To Note

Don't follow the link.

Report scams and spam.


Tips For Dealing with Email Attachments

Don't open any attachment you weren't expecting.

Keep your antivirus software updated.

Keep your computer's firewall on.

Scan attachments for viruses before downloading.


Staying Safe While Browsing


Introduction

While you are innocently surfing the Web, you may not realize that you could be picking up spyware, downloading malware, or even visiting fraudulent sites.

In this lesson, you will learn about your browser's security features and how to download safely.


Understanding Your Browser's Security Features

Most browsers have similar security functions, although how you access these functions and what they're called can vary.

Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome have security features to help protect you. If you use the Safari or Opera, many of these concepts will still apply.


Understanding Your Browser's Security Features

Internet Explorer uses its SmartScreen Filter to block malicious websites.

Firefox displays a red warning message and blocks access to malicious websites.

Chrome uses a warning message, an extra security feature called sandboxing, and auto updates to protect against malicious sites.


Verifying secure sites

Browsers have security features to help you check to make sure a site is secure for financial transactions.


When is a website secure for financial transactions?

Before sending any sensitive or financial information online, you want to know that you are communicating with a secure site.

Secure sites make sure all information you send is encrypted—or protected—as it travels across the Web.

The https address heading and your browser's security symbol are two signs indicating you are on a secure site.


When is a website secure for financial transactions?


Domain Checking

Malicious sites often use deceptive domains to trick users into believing they are on a legitimate site.

Consider the example of www.bankofamerican.com. It should read www.bankofamerica.com, without the added n.

If you are about to download content, shop with a credit card, or access your bank account, carefully check the domain before continuing


Keeping Your Browser Updated

New malware and phishing threats are constantly being introduced, so it is important to keep your browser updated. How do you do this?

Make sure you have the latest version of your browser.

Make sure you have installed all recent updates.


Downloading Precautions

Download only from trusted websites

Save downloads vs. Running them

Check license agreements and privacy statements

Be cautious of freeware

Avoid illegal downloads

Be cautious of P2P file sharing


Smart Social Networking & Communication Tips


Introduction

In this lesson, we will introduce current issues regarding privacy, in addition to providing strategies and tips for communicating safely and effectively online.

This includes how to set up a profile, what to consider before sharing and how to practice good netiquette.


Social Networking & Privacy

Legal issues

Cybercrime

Behavior tracking

Geo-location

Child protection

Image and persona


Setting up profiles on social networking sites

Most social networking sites require you to set up a profile to join.

Some profiles are simple and may only include a screen name and image, like when you join a website's discussion board.

Other profiles, such as those on YouTube or Facebook, can give you a lot of freedom to be creative and elaborate. Follow these tips to safely represent yourself in an online profile.


Screen Name

It may be OK to use your full name as a screen name on sites where you can limit your sharing to the people you know.

Some sites, like Facebook, may even require you to use your real full name. However, on a message board or chat room, you should use just your first name or a pseudonym (fictitious name) because you are interacting with strangers.

If you are using a pseudonym, avoid choosing one that may be seen as inappropriate or suggestive, like partygirl19. Instead, try using a more neutral name based on a hobby or interest, such as booklover44.


Profile Picture

A profile picture can either be a photo or avatar, a graphical image that represents you.

On Facebook, most people use photos of themselves. However, on a more public site you may want to use an avatar because it allows you to remain more anonymous.

Remember that many people will be able to see your profile picture, so it's important to choose a picture that won't reflect negatively on you.


Contact information

Avoid including any contact information other than your email address in your profile.

It may even be a good idea to open a separate email address for social networking connections to protect your regular account from getting cluttered with spam and phishing emails.

Do not use home phone numbers on social media profiles. If you must include a phone number, use a mobile phone number.


Image and Persona

Many sites allow you to customize your profile with wallpaper, personal interests, and likes.

Always consider what type of public image you want to present as you decide what information to include in your profile.

Anything that is racy or inappropriate may lower someone's impression of you when you apply for college or jobs.


Review Your Privacy Settings

Carefully review a site's privacy policy.

Pay attention to site policy changes

Look for advice or tutorials.

Google yourself.


Think Before You Share

Think before you hit share, especially when posting comments about your job.

Think before you hit send, especially if you are upset, frustrated, or angry.

Think! Never post or write personal or inappropriate content in the accounts you use on the job.

Think! Managers are now using social media more and more to catch employees participating in unprofessional behavior.

Do not write or post anything you would not be comfortable sharing with an entire room full of people.


Wireless & Mobile Device Safety


Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn tips for securing your wireless network and mobile devices from Internet threats, especially in Wi-Fi hotspots


Mobile device safety

Tips for avoiding malware on your mobile phones

Keep your mobile phone updated

Be cautious when downloading programs or apps.

Avoid free offers and free ringtones

If something seems suspicious, trust your instincts.


Privacy On The Go

If privacy is important to you, pay close attention to the apps you install on your device.

Always review their terms of service and privacy policies so you know how they may or may not be using your information.

You can also customize your privacy settings if the app gives you the option.


Summary

We have

Understood of the possible threats that they may encounter online

Seen the need for the use of a strong password and how to create one

Understood the importance of, and kind of antivirus protection to use

Learnt how to manage spam & email attachments, and also how to identify and avoid phishing scams

Understood how best to manage our social networking platforms and ensure that our privacy is not breached

Learnt issues related to security of wireless networks and use of mobile devices


Technical Support

For Technical Support

Contact the user support department unit:Email: [email protected]: 07055019838VOIP: 2226


References

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/onlinesafety/internetsafetyhttp://www.pcworld.com/article/2089244/the-25-worst-passwords-of-2013-password-gets-dethroned.html

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/onlinesafety/internetsafety

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2089244/the-25-worst-passwords-of-2013-password-gets-dethroned.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2089244/the-25-worst-passwords-of-2013-password-gets-dethroned.html

Thank You!

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