There is no better place to start safe internet security practices than in the home, and no better person to start talking to about safe internet practices than with your children. Children are among the top consumers of internet products, whether that is social media services or online books, magazines, or movies.
Hackers and other cybercriminals are well aware of the hot market for children and teens, and will take advantage of this, compromising your internet security at a moment’s notice. Because of this it is more important than ever that families sit down together and decide how cyber safety will be managed at home, particularly in homes where the family computer is used for business and home activities.
Mixing Business With Pleasure
Most children do not even consider that their family computer might be used for anything other than their homework or gaming purposes. Just recently there was a news highlight about a child that spent over $2400 on video games when he got a hold of one parent’s credit card and used it haphazardly to make some video game purchases on the web. A hacker could have taken hold of this information and made another $2000 worth of purchases, or more, very easily and then some.
This just confirms how easily information is compromised on the web, whether by family members, strangers, or other well-meaning but misunderstood “friends.” Family members should sit down early with children to discuss the implications of using the web. Guidelines should be discussed about web usages, time limits, and the safety of using internet websites. This is particularly true of social media websites.
Safety And Kids On The Net
Parents can help children be internet safe by creating a web contract with their children. This may include a pledge that defines parents and children’s responsibilities. Parents should set reasonable guidelines including the length of time they will allow children to use the computer every day. Parents can set internet security controls that prohibit children from visiting certain websites, which will enhance security on the Internet.
Keep the computer in a public place, particularly for middle age to teenage children, so you can monitor children’s use and make sure they are not surfing chat rooms without your knowledge. This is where a lot of hackers and spammers wait, in an attempt to lure children into a relationship where they can steal their private information.
Ask children about their internet use and visit the history just to be sure you are safe. Remember an ounce of prevention is always worth the cure!
Blocking Sites With Proxy Servers
Using a proxy server can also provide protection for you and your children when children surf the net. The number one advantage a proxy can provide children is anonymous surfing. No one can track your children or their IP address when you set up a proxy server correctly. Another benefit you have as a parent is that you can block certain addresses and filter certain information so you can rest assured that your children are safe when they surf the web. The proxy can be set up so that certain information, files, data and web sites are automatically rejected so that children do not visit or download dangerous or unwelcome information. The proxy is an excellent internet security tool for children and families, and very easy to install and start using, buy anonymous proxy.
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