Cyber Security Tip ST05-002 -- Keeping Children Safe Online

[US-CERT Security Tips <security-tips () us-cert gov>]

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                     Cyber Security Tip ST05-002
                     Keeping Children Safe Online

   Children present unique security risks when they use a computer—not only do
   you have to keep them safe, you have to protect the data on your computer.
   By taking some simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the threats.

What unique risks are associated with children?

   When  a  child  is using your computer, normal safeguards and security
   practices may not be sufficient. Children present additional challenges
   because of their natural characteristics: innocence, curiosity, desire for
   independence,  and  fear  of  punishment.  You  need to consider these
   characteristics when determining how to protect your data and the child.

   You may think that because the child is only playing a game, or researching
   a term paper, or typing a homework assignment, he or she can't cause any
   harm. But what if, when saving her paper, the child deletes a necessary
   program file? Or what if she unintentionally visits a malicious web page
   that  infects  your computer with a virus? These are just two possible
   scenarios. Mistakes happen, but the child may not realize what she's done or
   may not tell you what happened because she's afraid of getting punished.

   Online  predators  present another significant threat, particularly to
   children. Because the nature of the internet is so anonymous, it is easy for
   people to misrepresent themselves and manipulate or trick other users (see
   Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for some examples). Adults
   often fall victim to these ploys, and children, who are usually much more
   open and trusting, are even easier targets. Another growing problem is
   cyberbullying. These threats are even greater if a child has access to email
   or  instant  messaging programs, visits chat rooms, and/or uses social
   networking sites.

What can you do?

     * Be involved - Consider activities you can work on together, whether it
       be playing a game, researching a topic you had been talking about (e.g.,
       family vacation spots, a particular hobby, a historical figure), or
       putting together a family newsletter. This will allow you to supervise
       your child's online activities while teaching her good computer habits.
     * Keep  your  computer  in  an  open area - If your computer is in a
       high-traffic area, you will be able to easily monitor the computer
       activity. Not only does this accessibility deter a child from doing
       something she knows she's not allowed to do, it also gives you the
       opportunity  to intervene if you notice a behavior that could have
       negative consequences.
     * Set  rules and warn about dangers - Make sure your child knows the
       boundaries  of  what  she  is allowed to do on the computer. These
       boundaries should be appropriate for the child's age, knowledge, and
       maturity, but they may include rules about how long she is allowed to be
       on the computer, what sites she is allowed to visit, what software
       programs she can use, and what tasks or activities she is allowed to do.
       You should also talk to children about the dangers of the internet so
       that they recognize suspicious behavior or activity. Discuss the risks
       of sharing certain types of information (e.g., that they're home alone)
       and the benefits to only communicating and sharing information with
       people they know (see Using Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms Safely,
       Staying Safe on Social Network Sites, and the document Socializing
       Securely: Using Social Networking Services for more information). The
       goal isn't to scare them, it's to make them more aware. Make sure to
       include the topic of cyberbullying in these discussions (see Dealing
       with Cyberbullies for more information).
     * Monitor computer activity - Be aware of what your child is doing on the
       computer, including which websites she is visiting. If she is using
       email, instant messaging, or chat rooms, try to get a sense of who she
       is corresponding with and whether she actually knows them.
     * Keep lines of communication open - Let your child know that she can
       approach you with any questions or concerns about behaviors or problems
       she may have encountered on the computer.
     * Consider  partitioning your computer into separate accounts - Most
       operating systems give you the option of creating a different user
       account  for  each  user.  If  you're  worried that your child may
       accidentally access, modify, and/or delete your files, you can give her
       a separate account and decrease the amount of access and number of
       privileges she has.
       If you don't have separate accounts, you need to be especially careful
       about your security settings. In addition to limiting functionality
       within your browser (see Evaluating Your Web Browser's Security Settings
       for more information), avoid letting your browser remember passwords and
       other personal information (see Browsing Safely: Understanding Active
       Content and Cookies). Also, it is always important to keep your virus
       definitions up to date (see Understanding Anti-Virus Software).
     * Consider implementing parental controls - You may be able to set some
       parental controls within your browser. For example, Internet Explorer
       allows you to restrict or allow certain websites to be viewed on your
       computer, and you can protect these settings with a password. To find
       those options, click Tools on your menu bar, select Internet Options,
       choose the Content tab, and click the Enable... button under Content
       Advisor.
       There are other resources you can use to control and/or monitor your
       child's online activity. Some ISPs offer services designed to protect
       children online. Contact your ISP to see if any of these services are
       available. There are also special software programs you can install on
       your  computer.  Different  programs  offer different features and
       capabilities, so you can find one that best suits your needs.

Additional information

   The  following  websites offer additional information about protecting
   children online:
     * GetNetWise - http://kids.getnetwise.org/
     * StaySafeOnline - http://www.staysafeonline.org/
     _________________________________________________________________

     Authors: Mindi McDowell, Allen Householder
     _________________________________________________________________

     Produced 2005 by US-CERT, a government organization.

     Note: This tip was previously published and is being
     re-distributed to increase awareness.

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