Q1:L2.2 - Online Safety

Online Safety

Refers to the practices and precautions that should be observed when using the internet to ensure that the users as well as their computers and personal information are safe from crimes associated with using the internet. 

Numerous delinquencies that can be committed on the internet: 

• Stalking

• Identity theft

• Privacy violations

• Harassment 

Online Safety Measures

• Never give any personal information out about yourself over the Internet.

• Do not give any banking or sensitive information unless you are sure that it is a reputable business having a secure service. To make sure that you are in a secured network, the website address should begin with “https://” as opposed to “http://”. Never access your accounts by following an email link, instead type the URL by yourself.

• Never open messages or attachments from someone you do not know.

• Regularly review your privacy settings in your online accounts to make sure you are not sharing important personal information.

• When using a public computer terminal, be sure to delete your browsing data before leaving.

• Keep your software updated to avoid security holes.

• Do not download or install software or anything on your computer or cell phone that is unknown to you.

Online Threats

An act performed by a knowledgeable computer user sometimes referred to as hacker that illegally browses or steal someone’s information.

• Phishing - An email sent from an Internet criminal disguised as an email from a legitimate, trustworthy source. The message is meant to lure you into revealing sensitive or confidential information.

• Pharming - A malicious website that resembles a legitimate website, used to gather usernames and passwords.

• Internet Scam - A type of scam that misleads the user in many ways attempting to take lead of them. The purpose of this scam is to cheat the target of their personal property directly rather than private information through fabricated promises, confidence tricks and many more.

• Internet Bots - A network of zombie computers that have been taken over by a robot or bot that performs large-scale malicious acts for the creator of the botnet. Captcha technology is used to avoid this type of security threat.

• Malware - A generic term for spyware and adware. It is a malicious software disguised as real software often secretly installed, intended to transfer and gather private information, like passwords, without the user's permission. 

  • Types of malware includes:

    • Adware - Adware (short for advertising-supported software) is a type of malware that automatically delivers advertisements. (Examples: Banner Ads & Pop-up Ads)

    • Spyware - A type of malware that functions by spying on user activity without their knowledge. These spying capabilities can include activity monitoring, collecting keystrokes, data harvesting (account information, logins, financial data), and more. (Example: Keylogger)

• Virus - is a program designed to replicate by attaching itself into other (host computer/file) computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of the hard drive.

• Worm - It can be injected into a network by any types of means, like a USB stick or an email attachment. This type of threat can self-replicate and propagate.

  • Trojan Horse - Commonly known as a “Trojan,” is a type of malware that disguises itself as a normal file or program to trick users into downloading and installing malware.

  • iloveyou Virus - Also known as Love bug or love letter. It was a computer worm attached on email that have infected 10 million of windows personal computer that cause computer shutdown and deletion of files on the year 2000. It was created by a Filipino student: Onel De Guzman and Reonel Ramones.

• Computer Bug - A malfunction on a computer system through its runtime. The term “bug” originated to the Moth found on the Mark II by Grace Hopper that cause a system malfunction.

• Spoofing - Describes a criminal who impersonates another individual or organization, with the intent to gather personal or business information.

• Cyber Stalking - The use of the internet or other electronic device to harass or stalk individual, group or organization.

• Cyber Bullying - The act of tormenting, threatening, harassing or embarrassing another person using the internet or other technologies.

• Spam - An unsolicited email, instant messages, or social media messages. These messages are fairly easy to spot and can be damaging if you open or respond.

Privacy

Privacy refers to the right of individuals to deny or restrict the collection and used of information about them.

How do we maintain our privacy:

AUTHENTICATION

• A process where users verify their identity.

• Deals with the problem of determining whether a user should be allowed access to a particular system. 

• Four commonly authentication methods: 

  • User Identification

  • Possessed Objects

  • Biometric Device

  • Callback System