Making Computer Security a Habit

Whether your child received a new Surface Tablet as a new SPHS Freshman or your child has a computer at home to use for school work, computer security is something to watch closely. As technology is constantly changing and evolving, so too are the risks associated with it. The security of your computer, phone, and other mobile devices can affect the safety of your online experience - and that of your kids.

If you were issued a tablet from SPHS, the tablet was probably prepared with software and configured to keep it secure. You'll want to first follow the policies given to you with the tablet, but you should also keep in mind the following suggestions to ensure a safe and secure experience for your child.

Malware

Malware is software that could allow someone to steal your family's personal or financial information. Some of the most common methods involve:

• installing viruses
• monitoring or controlling your computer use
• sending unwanted pop-up ads
• redirecting your device to websites you’re not looking for
• recording your keystrokes

What Can You Do?

• Use security software and keep it updated. Well-known companies offer plenty of free options. Set the software to update automatically.
• Keep your operating system and web browser up-to-date. Hackers take advantage of software that doesn’t have the latest security updates. You also can customize the built-in security and privacy settings in your operating system or browser. Check the Tools or Options menus to explore your choices. While you’re at it, keep your apps updated, too.
• Teach Kids Computer Security. Talk to your kids about how they can help protect their devices and your family’s personal information.
• Create strong passwords, and keep them private. The longer the password, the harder it is to crack. Date of birth, login name, or common words are not safe passwords. Ask your kids to be creative and come up with different passwords for different accounts. It may be tempting to re-use the same password, but if it’s stolen, hackers can use it to access other accounts. Kids also can protect their passwords by not sharing them with anyone, including their friends.
• Don’t provide personal or financial information unless the website is secure. If you or your kids send messages, share photos, use social networks, or bank online, you’re sending personal information over the internet. Teach your kids that if the URL doesn’t start with https, don’t enter any personal information. That “s” stands for secure. It means the information you’re sending is encrypted and protected.
• Watch out for “free” stuff. Free games, apps, music, and other downloads can hide malware. Don’t download anything unless you trust the source. Teach your kids how to recognize reputable sources.
• Be cautious about P2P file-sharing. Some kids share music, games, or software online. Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing allows people to share these kinds of files through an informal network of computers running the same software. Sometimes spyware, malware, or pornography can be hidden in a shared file. If your kids download copyrighted material, you could be subject to legal action. It’s important to talk to your kids about the security and other risks involved with file-sharing. Install file-sharing software properly. Check the default settings so that nothing private is shared. By default, almost all P2P file-sharing applications will share files in your “Downloads” or “Shared” folders. If you save personal files in shared folders, other P2P users may access files you don’t mean to share — including private documents like your tax returns or other financial documents.
• Use security software to scan files. Before your kids open or play any downloaded file, use security software to scan it. Make sure the security software is up-to-date and running.

Using Public Wi-Fi Securely

Many public places - like coffee shops, libraries, and airports - offer Wi-Fi hotspots. These hotspots can be convenient, but they’re often not secure. That could make it easy for someone else to access your family’s online accounts or steal your personal information - including private documents, photos, and passwords.

What Can You Do?

• Use secure Wi-Fi networks. Secure networks use encryption, which protects the information you send online by scrambling it so others can’t access it. You can be sure that a network is secure only if you’re asked to provide a WPA or WPA2 password. Tell your kids if they’re not asked for a password, they shouldn’t use that network to sign in to accounts or send any personal information. And don’t assume that a Wi-Fi hotspot uses encryption - most of them don’t.
• Use secure websites. A secure site will encrypt your information while you are signed in to it - even if the network doesn’t. How will your kids know if a site is secure? Tell them to look for https in the web address of every page they visit - not just when they log in. Remember, the “s” stands for secure.
• Don’t stay permanently signed in to accounts. Recommend that your kids log out and close the web browser when they’ve finished using a site.

Stay tuned for more tips in next month's Boosters Newsletter...