Staying Safe, Having Fun, And Cruising The ‘Net

Internet Security:Staying Safe, Having Fun, And Cruising The ‘Net

Daniel OwensIT Security Professional

Agenda

IntroductionStaying SafeHaving FunCruising The ‘NetConclusion And Appendices

A Note About Good And Evil

Nothing in this world is purely good or purely evil – to include the Internet and those who use it.

-Daniel Owens

With That Said… A Note About Me

CurrentlyWorking as a NASA contractor in IT Security

FormerlyWorked for/with the…

Department of Defense (DoD) to include the NSAFBIJustice DepartmentMicrosoftOracleCisco

And many more…

MySpaceIBMXeroxBooz Allen HamiltonSystemSecurities

Agenda

IntroductionStaying SafeHaving FunCruising The ‘NetConclusion And Appendices

Protecting Your Computer

Apply updates and patchesThis includes for the Operating System, your web browser, any plug-ins and add-ons for the web browser, any games, and any other software

Use Anti-Malware SoftwareThis includes antivirus, antispyware, and anti-adware software

Examples Include (all free for home use):AVG and Avast!Spybot Search & DestroyAdaware

Protecting Your Privacy

Don’t fill out online surveys or enter contests without permission

Many of these are simply there to get information about you and some can be harmful

Never give out sensitive information about yourself, your family, or others

This includes addresses, school names, your full name, phone numbers, and your schedule/vacation data in advance

Don’t open or respond to SPAMAnd don’t give your email address to just anyone

Doubt Everything

If you can’t verify someone’s identity, you can’t trust them with your informationAnyone can post just about anything on the Internet… pretending to be just about anyone

Just like any other medium

Doubt Everything (cont.)

Agenda

IntroductionStaying SafeHaving FunCruising The ‘NetConclusion And Appendices

Cyberbullying

Often either a source of or voice for rumors

Common places are MySpace and Facebook

Often successful only AFTER the victim starts to respond to the bully(ing)

While it may be difficult, ignoring posts and simply blocking instant messages from people you don’t know is the best way to stop cyberbullying

Can also include compromising a victim’s account and using it

Again, MySpace and Facebook are common vectors, but so are Instant Messengers

Cyberpredators

Few cyberpredators give out their real age, name, and other information

And anyone can find a picture online

Unsolicited instant messages, posts, and emails from strangers should never be responded to

40% of females have been solicited on the Internet at least once before graduating high schoolMales are vulnerable too

Should be treated the same as bullying

If All Else Fails

Change your account name and password

Most bullies and predators won’t be able to track you if you change your information… unless you give it to them

Don’t go there…Just don’t visit the site

The Internet isn’t anonymousWell-trained professionals (and criminals) can track down almost anyone on the InternetIf you’re a victim, talk to your parents and/or a trusted adult

Agenda

IntroductionStaying SafeHaving FunCruising The ‘NetConclusion And Appendices

Be Suspicious Of The Unknown

Warez and TorrentsMany of the software and videos on these sites are bugged in one way or another

Free Games and SoftwareMany of the freeware and shareware software gathers personal information

Often the company owning the software then sells the data

Unknown WebsitesSome sites are designed to install malware onto visitor computers

Be Suspicious Of The Unknown (cont.)

Online Gaming

Protect your privacyGive out as little information as possible

And don’t have your screenname be your real name

Find a ‘room’ where you feel both safe and comfortable and stay there

If things start to go downhill, leave and don’t come back

Avoid games with monthly feesThese often require you to give credit card information and other data that an attacker can steal from the server

Agenda

IntroductionStaying SafeHaving FunCruising The ‘NetConclusion And Appendices

For More Information

Media Awareness Network (MNet)http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/index.cfm

Cyberbullying Research Centerhttp://www.cyberbullying.us/

NetAlerthttp://www.netalert.gov.au/

OnGuard Onlinehttp://www.onguardonline.gov/

For More Information (cont.)

Safe Internet Alliancehttp://www.safeinternet.org/

GRC IT Security Officehttp://itsecurity.grc.nasa.gov

STOP Cyberbullyinghttp://www.stopcyberbullying.org/

Acknowledgements

I stole the background from MicrosoftI stole a lot from my experiences and previous writings