Keep Your Information PRIVATE

Ways to protect yourself online:

•  Keep your information PRIVATE

•  Be careful what you click on

•  Use security software that updates automatically

•  Create a secure password

•  Be careful what you post

•  Don’t accept friend requests from strangers

•  Learn how to report a compromised account

Characteristics of a strong Password:

•  Change your passwords frequently

•  Use more than 8 characters

–  More Characters = Stronger Passwords

•  Include special characters

–  Ex. #, @, %, $, etc.

•  Use both upper and lower case characters

–  Ex. AbCdeF

•  Avoid using “dictionary” words or stereotypical passwords such as “password”

•  Avoid using important dates or other meaningful information in your password

•  Try using a passphrase instead of a password

–  “I8burger4d!NER” (I ate burger for dinner)

Is Your Computer Protected?

•  Examples of Security Software

–  McAfee

–  Norton AntiVirus

–  AVG

–  SpyBot S&D

•  Internet Service Providers that offer free anti-virus software:

–  Comcast

–  Centurylink

Stay Up to Date!

•  Run Security Updates/Scans Frequently

•  Scans detect:

–  Viruses

–  Trojan horses

–  Spyware

–  Other malicious software

My Internet Safety Pledge

1. I will never give my personal information (or anyone else’s) out to anyone on the Internet without getting approval from my parents first. This includes not sending photographs.

2. I will always tell a parent immediately if I see anything on the Internet that is threatening, scary, or something I know I’m not supposed to see.

3. I will never tell anyone my password (even best friends) except for my parent(s).

4. I will never call or meet with anyone in person that I’ve met online unless a parent approves and agrees to go with me.

5. I will never open e-mails from people I don’t know, and I will never click on links unless I know where they came from and that the site they take me to is safe.

6. I will teach my parents about the Internet, and let them know exactly what I am doing when I am online.

7. I understand that many people online are not who they say they are. Many adults are online pretending to be kids. I will always tell my parents about people I meet online.

8. I will always talk with my parents and help set up our own online rules. We will decide upon when and how long I can be online, and the areas and sites I am allowed to visit.

Signed: ______

Please Be Carful and Be Sure to Report any Suspicious Behavior You See to Your Parents!!!