How to Stop Cyber Victimization in the Home

Identity thieves can ruin your credit and your good name.

The Internet has become an integral part of people's lives---and so have the dangers that accompany it. If you use a computer, you could become a victim of a cyber crime. Cyber crimes, including cyberstalking, cyberbullying, computer security breaches and even identity theft, are common enough that you need to take steps to make sure you and your family are safe online. To be protected online, you'll need to remain vigilant.

Instructions

1. Protect your child from cyberbullying by being alert. Watch for signs of stress, like headaches and stomachaches. Children undergoing cyberharassment may suddenly lose interest in their computer, or seem to withdraw from the rest of the family. If you suspect cyberharassment, discuss it with your child. Don't tell your child to ignore it or to retaliate, which may make the situation worse. Go to the authorities. If it's a school issue, talk to the administration and demand that they take action. If it's not a school situation, contact the police.

2. Keep your child safe from Internet predators by staying informed as to what he is doing, and especially who he is talking to, when he is online. Talk with him to explain the dangers he faces online. Explain that he should never give out personal information, such as full name, address, phone number, or the school, church or any local place he regularly attends. Even with this warning, some children will still innocently, or purposefully, release this information online. To investigate, look for porn on your child's computer. Check for additional email or instant messaging accounts. Watch for excessive privacy attempts, like opening a new tab or closing a window on the computer when you get close enough to see his screen. If you suspect your child is being victimized, contact local law enforcement.

3. 

   Phishing and social engineering can also occur via private messages on social networking sites.

   Use discernment to outsmart phishing attempts. Phishing, or tricking a person into clicking a link and entering private information, is a common method of identity theft, as is social engineering, or getting someone to give you their personal information. Both of these methods are often employed via email or online messages. Avoid opening emails that aren't from a sender you know. Be on the lookout for any email that asks you to confirm your information. If in doubt, call or email the institution to confirm they sent the email. Phishing can also occur due to a virus. Keep your anti-virus software up to date. To be extra-cautious, don't put your private information into a pop-up window, even on a trusted site. Pop-ups can be caused by a virus. If you suspect you have been a victim of phishing or social engineering, contact your financial institutions and place a fraud hold on your credit reports with the Federal Trade Commission.

4. 

   Use a virus software to find and destroy viruses. Use a firewall to prevent them.

   Protect the sensitive data that is on your computer. Viruses can break through your computer's defenses, and create a way into your data remotely. Keep your anti-virus software up to date, and employ a firewall to protect your computer from outside intrusion. A firewall blocks unauthorized transfers of data from coming into your computer, protecting you from viruses, and it also stops your data from going out, if not authorized.

5. Outsmart the scammers by knowing what to look for in a typical Internet scam. The most common Internet scams exist to steal your information or your money. Don't send money to a charity, a work-from-home opportunity, an unknown Nigerian royal in exile, or anyone you don't know personally. Cut down on your unsolicited email, or spam, by marking messages as spam when you receive them. Don't even open unsolicited emails, as some may contain viruses that can put your computer and your information at risk. If you think you have been a victim of an Internet scam, contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between several federal agencies including the FBI.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't click on pop-ups that promise to clean your computer or those that claim to have found viruses. These are often attempts to put malware or viruses on your computer.

• If an email sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam.

• Don't be ashamed to report that you've been a victim of Internet crime. Reporting it can both ensure the guilty are punished and protect others from becoming victimized.

• If you suspect your child is being victimized, don't ask for her permission to help. Talk to local law enforcement and get her the help she needs before it's too late.

• The elderly are often chosen for scams because they are more likely to be unfamiliar with Internet safety. If you have an elderly family member, let him know how to protect himself from Internet scams, viruses and phishing attempts.

References

• Megan Meier Foundation: What to Do if My Child is Being Bullied or Cyberbullied?
• Family Home Security: How to Tell if Your Child is the Victim of a Cyber Bully Read more: How to Tell if Your Child is the Victim of a Cyber Bully
• Fraud: Phishing
• Federal Trade Commission: Fraud Hold
• Internet Crime Complaint Center: Home
• Family Safe Computers: Online Predators

Resources

• Anti-Phishing Workgroup
• Talk Broadband: What is a Firewall?
• ScamBusters
• Department of Justice: Cyber Crime
• FBI: Cyber Crime