Smart, Safe, and Secure Online Spam commercial messages that you didn’t ask for (a company trying to sell things by sending out thousands of messages at a time) can contain messages, pictures, or links to web sites that are offensive. Sometimes sound too good to be true these companies are called spammers. can contain malware-malicious software, created to damage your personal files or your computer, or steal your private identify information

Malware Viruses sometimes hidden in a picture (image) Don’t download images or other attachments unless you know the sender and what is in the attachments THINK TWICE BEFORE DOWNLOADING FREE SOFTWARE. IT MAY BE HIDING MALWARE. MAKE SURE IT IS FROM A SITE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TRUST.

Spammers don’t know if you’re an adult or a kid collect addresses and screen names from chat rooms, messages boards, and social network profiles. don’t read spam-the spammer then knows that you’re is “live.” Simply delete it or close the IM.

Private & Personal Information What is private identity information? Full (first and last) name Postal address address Phone numbers Passwords Calling card numbers Credit card numbers Social security numbers Mother’s maiden name This information needs to be kept private because they can be used for IDENTITY THEFT.

What can happen? The thief can get a driver’s license in your name, buy things, parking and speeding tickets, apply for credit cards, and run up bills they do not intend to pay. DO NOT give out anyone’s private information online or over the phone without that person’s permission. Personal Information-things you CAN share Your age, sex, # of brothers and sisters, favorite bands, food, pets, name of your pet, opinion about important issues

What can you do if you suspect identity theft? Make a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (type “ftc identity theft” into a search engine)

Savvy Online Talk & Messaging Cyber- to send sexual messages over a computer network such as the internet When online, flirting and other sexual talk is risky behavior. They may be adults, not kids. NEVER give out your address.

Be CyberSmart! Stick to monitored chat and messaging for kids and stay away from private, unmonitored talk Save private messaging for family and friends Don’t flirt or talk about sex with people you don’t know face to face Don’t answer questions online that make you feel uncomfortable Tell a trusted adult if someone bothers you online Never plan a face to face meeting with someone you met online without taking a trusted adult along

Phishing- when a message appears for you to click on a link, and that link takes you to a phony website that looks exactly like the real thing. ALWAYS 1.Back up your computers 2.Update your operating system 3.Use and update antivirus and other security software 4.Know what new software does before you install it 5.Report spam or phishing to your ISP (internet service provider)

Strong Passwords Follow these security tips Only give password to your parents NEVER give to anyone else-even your friends Don’t use easy to guess passwords Never use private identity information Don’t use a word in the dictionary Create passwords with at least 8 characters Use combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols Change your password regularly