Visualization of a Portion of the Routes on the Internet (via Wikipedia.org)
The web is constantly changing and evolving and it can be hard to stay on top of all these new developments. Along with the evolution of the web comes the evolution of the cyber-criminal, complete with new tricks, tools, and scams. So do yourself a favor and peruse a few sites or pass them on to your loved ones to keep them safe and sound online. No matter your age or experience level, here are some sites to help you safely navigate through this tangled web:
The Center for Missing and Exploited Children and The Boys and Girls Club have teamed up to bring you the NetSmartz Workshop. Geared toward parents, guardians, and people who work with kids, this site is a comprehensive and up-to-date look at the latest online trends among teens and the habits of children. Definitely worth a look for anyone caring for a child or teen.
OnGuard Online is a site that "provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information." Bookmarking this site and revisiting it will help you be a more confident consumer and user of internet services without opening yourself up to scams. Features games, videos, tools, and other learning opportunities.
Locally, the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General has an Internet safety site that is worth a look. For a more comprehensive and up-to-date set of information, the Washington State Office of the Attorney General has an excellent site geared toward the average adult Internet user. Both are worth a look.
And finally, AARP has an excellent and well-known site on Internet Safety targeting the over-65 crowd. Specifically geared toward the issues, concerns, and use patterns of this age group, Online Safety has videos and articles covering everything from setting up a firewall to protecting oneself from identity theft. Highly recommended.
BES and MLN
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