The Basics Concept to Protect Your PC
Software
firewalls - A software firewall has the same function as a
hardware firewall. Software firewall can be directly installed
onto PC. The firewall monitors all incoming and outgoing
Internet traffic, and creates a barrier between the Internet
into PC and everything else on PC. After successfully
installed, it does not allow unauthorized access from the
Internet to PC. Software firewalls are more customizable as it
can be defined as different ruler on different software
installed on PC to access the Internet. Many can use both a
hardware firewall and a software firewall. It is similar to
having a fence to protect access to your yard, and then a
front door to protect access to your house. With combination
of both software and hardware firewall office and large
enterprise will be more secured from internet related threats.
Safe Surfing
By taking responsibility for
your children's online computer use, parents can greatly
minimize any potential risks of being online.
Make it a family rule to:
Never give out identifying
information - home address, school name, or telephone number -
in a public message forum such as chat or bulletin boards, and
always be sure you're dealing with someone that both you and
your child know and trust before giving it out via e-mail.
Think carefully before revealing
any personal information about you or your family, such as
age, marital status, or financial information. Consider using
a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name if your service
allows it.
Never respond to messages or
bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, abusive,
belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable.
Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter any such
messages. If you or your child receives a message that is
harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy
of the message to your service provider and ask for their
assistance.
Instruct your child not to click
on any links that are contained in e-mail from persons they
don’t know. Such links could lead to sexually explicit or
otherwise inappropriate web sites.
Never allow a child to arrange a
face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online without
parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first
one in a public place, and be sure to accompany your child.
Get to know the sites your child
uses. If you don't know how to
log on, get your child to show you. Find out what types of
information they offer and whether there are ways for parents
to block out objectionable material.
Ideally, all parents
should know how to monitor their children's Internet usage,
but they often have no idea how to do so. Parents are also
dangerously unaware of what their children are actually doing
online. A recent survey suggested that more than half the 9-19
year olds who go online have been exposed to pornographic material
- but only one in six parents was aware that their child had ever
seen such images. Some other statistics that should make all parents
want to monitor children's Internet usage include:
· 20% of the estimated 24 million children now online have been solicited for sex by an Internet Predator in the last year
· 25% of children have received pornographic images in the mail, and a tenth of these were sent by someone the child already knows
average of 25 minutes each day with instant messaging applications, but often have no way of knowing who they're actually
· Teens between the ages of 12 and 17 spend a talking to - What a Nightmare!
Should you become aware of the
transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography while
online, immediately report this to your service provider.
Remember that people online may
not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the
person it is easy for someone to misrepresent him or herself.
Therefore, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old
girl" could in reality be a 40-year-old man. Always be aware
of the dangers.
Set reasonable rules and
guidelines for computer use by your children. Decide whether
or not to use parental control tools or protective software.
Discuss these rules with children and put a note near the
computer as a reminder. Remember to monitor their compliance
of these rules, especially when it comes to the amount of time
your child spends online. A child or teenager's excessive use
of online services or bulletin boards, especially late at
night, may be a clue that there might be a problem. Remember
that personal computers and online services should not be used
as electronic babysitters.
Be sure to make this a family
activity. Consider keeping the
computer in a family room rather than the child's bedroom. Get
to know their "online friends" just as you would get to know
all of their other friends.
What Are the
Risks?
Important Note: With any
discussion of risks, it's important to realize that the most
horrendous crimes are also the least likely to happen. As with
all aspects of life, the risk should be put into context.
Statistically, probably the greatest risk is that a child will
encounter people in chat rooms and newsgroups who are mean or
unpleasant. Another "risk" is that a child will spend a lot of
wasted time in areas that aren't very productive.
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