I’m safe with a filter on my computer or my modem aren’t I?
Some of the parents I’m speaking to about my upcoming Hands-On Cyber Safety workshop are saying that they believe they don’t need to do the workshop because have a filter and security settings set up on their modem or computer, so they are safe. And I feel like a total wet blanket when I have to tell them that whilst those might prevent some porn getting through, or access to malware sites, it will not protect them or their family on social networks from being hurt or exploited. I’m not sure they believe me, but from the feedback I’m getting, there is clearly a long way to go before most parents really understand why they need to learn so much more about the internet and in particular Facebook privacy and security settings. Why do my course when they have a piece of software that protect them anyway? Wet Blanket coming up.
Why Doesn’t My Filter Keep My Kids On Facebook or Skype or Instant Messaging?
There is NO ONE piece of software or hardware that can adjust the safety settings and privacy settings on Facebook, Skype, MSN etc…. Only the user can do that manually. Each of these applications is set to “Public” by default when you install or join it, meaning anyone can contact you or your child, and anyone can look at your photos and posts. Except for minor aged (under 18yr old) Facebook accounts which have some…not all….privacy settings by default.
Why Do I Need To Do A Course? Can’t I Just Tick One Setting?
No…There are so many privacy settings you need to enable on Facebook, for e.g that I’ve just finished adding at least 7 pages of them to my latest edition of The Cyber Safety Manual (and that’s only some of them!) which will be available at the Workshop this coming week. Most of the settings are very difficult to find, and most people have no idea what information Facebook has extracted from them that is basically open to anyone that looks at your profile. Information like, where your kids go to school, how old they are, what they look like, who their friends are, where they play sport…even where you live…right down to what your house looks like from the outside. All you need is for your child to be the target of a Cyber Bully, either one they know or a complete stranger, and there will literally be no where to hide, unless you tick the privacy settings. (And yes I have seen this exact thing happen!)
Who Would Hack A Facebook Account!! And Why?
One of the biggest problems with kids on Facebook is the danger of getting their account hacked, taken over by someone who has discovered their password, and then logged into the account to post unsavoury or embarrassing content, or gain even more information about your child that is ticked private.
This can happen by a remote hacker finding out you or your child’s password because it isn’t strong enough, or someone your child knows getting hold of it because the teen has shared it, (and this is happening more and more)
How Do We Stop This?
A way to ensure your Facebook account is more secure is to enable login approval. Which means if someone does find out your password and log in details and tries to log in to your account you will get a text message on your mobile, asking if it IS you logging in from an unknown I.P or computer. If it is you, then you simply put in the code that is delivered via SMS into the request box in our Facebook account, and you can log in from a different I.P or computer. My teens have my phone number as the listed number, for extra security.
You can also do this with your Twitter Account and your Google Account. Both these types of accounts have being getting hacked more and more with some very high profile people getting targeted like Jamie Oliver last week.
If you want to have your hand held through these settings… and 7 more pages of them…to protect you and your family from having your photos passed around the internet, your family and friends names revealed, your kids mobile phone number…your should do this workshop. It is really worth it if you use Facebook, YouTube, Skype MSN and the internet in general, then you can pass on this valuable education to your kids, and your friends. Book Now!
Follow these simple steps below to set it up. Be careful to ensure you also have your mobile phone details kept private also, as they often are set to public. (see bottom pic for instructions)
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