June 2, 2009
June is National Internet Safety Month
National Internet Safety Month is an opportunity to increase awareness about the risks we and our families face on the Internet. It is also a perfect time to promote information and resources to help us stay safe online.
Here are some important Internet safety reminders from Information Technology Services (ITS):
1) Always remember: The Internet is not private.
Assume that anything you post online is public and could potentially be used against you. Limit the information you share to that which you would be comfortable telling or showing anyone. Also keep in mind that once you post something online, it can be very difficult to "take it back." If you or your family use social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace, be sure to read the privacy policies and take advantage of the available privacy options to better protect yourself. Help your family members understand all of this, as well. What they do online can affect your whole family.
2) Don’t believe everything you see online.
Attackers and con artists will try to trick you or rip you off. Anyone can lie and misrepresent themselves online, impersonate someone else, and post or e-mail false information, phony "hot tips," fake "sales," etc. Don’t be fooled. Don’t give out personal or sensitive information to anyone you don’t know in real life or who doesn’t have a legitimate need for it. Before revealing any information, always consider who is asking, what they are asking for, and why they need to know. Also, always use trusted, alternate sources to investigate offers, leads, and deals. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
3) Be cautious with mobile computing.
Avoid using public or shared computers to access your financial accounts or other highly sensitive information online. Use extra caution when using wireless. Information and passwords sent via standard wireless is especially easy to intercept. Don’t connect to public "hot spots"/access points if you’re concerned about privacy or security.
4) Protect your passwords.
Make sure your passwords are complex and hard to guess, and keep your passwords secret. ITS staff will not ask you to tell them your password and neither should anyone else. See UCSC’s Password Standards for more information.
See the following ITS computer security tutorials for additional information:
Additional Internet safety resources:
- OnGuardOnline.gov: Practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry about Internet fraud, securing your computer, and protecting your personal information.
- StaySafeOnline.org: Simple steps, practices and resources to protect against cyber threats.
- Don't Believe the Type: Information from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children about understanding dangers on the Internet and simple rules to avoid them. (Note: This web site is aimed at teenagers; however, the information and advice generally apply to people of all ages.)
- Deter-Detect-Defend: The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) web site on identity theft.
- ITS at UCSC also has a wide range of largely non-technical computer security awareness information available online.
Getting help:
If you have any questions about Internet safety, please contact the ITS Support Center at itrequest.ucsc.edu, help@ucsc.edu, ext. 9-4357 (HELP), or in person M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 54 Kerr Hall.
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