NetAlert Information
08 May 2008
Detailed information from the NetAlert information session held on Monday 5 May.
Scams and Identity Theft
Internet users are bombarded with pop-ups and spam emails, offering free electronic equipment, love compatibility ratings and even cash prizes for completing online surveys. A useful rule of thumb is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Students learned about how organised crime syndicates collect and collate personal details via chain mail, online surveys, competitions and offers such as free ring tones and daily horoscopes. This information is sold to groups who then use it to access further personal information such as bank account details. Students were advised to never enter these details (i.e. date of birth, home address, phone number) online. They were advised to create a ‘junk mail account’, separate to their normal hotmail or yahoo account, that is used specifically for when they want to register for something online, or to try something out that they’re not sure about.
Avoiding exploitation on the internet
Social networking sites, such as MySpace and FaceBook enable increasing numbers of young people (and older people, too!) to socialise with their friends. These sites can be fun and convenient and have even been used in educational contexts. However these sites are frequently exploited by adults trying to get access to children. U.S. estimates are that up to 50,000 paedophiles are on sites such as MySpace at any given moment, looking for young people to exploit. The advice was not to stop young people from using these sites, but rather to educate them about how to use them safely.
Five Tips for Safe Social Networking:
- Never post photos of yourself that could be considered ‘flirty’ or suggestive in any way – these photos attract the immediate attention of online predators.
- Never give yourself an online nickname that is ‘flirty’ or suggestive, for the same reasons.
- Do not put your surname on your profile. Personal details can easily be obtained with a surname.
- Never post your phone number on your social networking site.
- Make sure your site is always set to private.
Online predators can be highly skilled at luring young people toward exploitation, especially in chat rooms and increasingly in online games such as RuneScape and World of Warcraft. Some warning signs to look for are:
- ‘Let’s go private’
- ‘Where’s the computer in your house?’ (i.e. are there adults supervising?)
- ‘I can get you a job modelling’
- ‘I know a way you can make some fast money’
- ‘You seem upset; give me your number and we can talk about it’
Students were advised to be wary of potential threats to their safety online and to report them as soon as they occur. There are mechanisms within social networking sites and chat rooms to report inappropriate behaviour and content. There is also a link at www.netalert.gov.au where complaints can be registered.
Dealing with Cyber Bullying
Students were reminded that ‘if you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online’. It is important to collect evidence of threatening or upsetting messages sent via the internet or mobile phones. There are ways in which the Federal Police and their partners, such as MSN and MySpace can trace the source of any message, so it is important never to delete them, even if you don’t see any details that could identify the culprit.
The Message to Parents
Young people who have encountered problems such as cyber bullying and online exploitation frequently report that they did not inform their parents because they feared that they would be denied internet access in response. Greg advised parents that the key is to instil strong safety messages in children from the time they start to use the internet, so that they can be aware of the potential risks and how to stay safe.
Further information www.netalert.gov.au
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