1. 1 Recommendations for Internet Safety at Home Professor Clark Thomborson University of Auckland 17 March 2004 SeniorNet

2. 2 Outline 1. What is the Internet, and what will it become? 2. Benefits and Risks; Recommendations –Access to Information & Services –Financial and Legal –Fun 3. Summary

3. 3 Wise Use  If you know nothing about a technology, you cannot use it wisely.  Learn by analogy. The Internet is like a telephone… you’ll make mistakes at first.  Imagine what it was like for your grandparents.  Try to remember what it was like for you.  The Internet allows your computer to send and receive text, sound, video and computer programs.

4. 4 What is my computer doing?  Your computer will do exactly what its programs tell it to do.  New programs can come from the Internet!  Pay attention to what your computer is doing. Ask questions. Learn.  Regular maintenance is necessary, as with a Model T automobile. Load new “virus definitions” and “security patches”.

5. 5 What can’t my computer do?  Anything sensed by your computer (via its microphone, webcam, keyboard, mouse etc.) may be stored in its memory, and then sent over the Internet to “anyone” at a later date.  Anything that is not sensed by your computer, cannot be stored or revealed!  Think of your Internet-enabled computer as a “public place.” Don’t type, say or do anything that you wouldn’t want anyone else to know.

6. 6 Why isn’t the Internet safe?  Security was not designed into the net. –The Arpanet (1969-1990) was accessible only by a small number of academic, commercial and military researchers. –We all trusted each other. Any malicious act would be the result of an “outsider” breaking in, and that seemed possible to control until ~1980. –We were concerned about software, equipment malfunctions, and careless operation. (I crashed the net by mistake in 1979.)  Everyone can use the Internet.  Not everyone is trustworthy.

7. 7 A Permissive System  The Internet is designed to transmit anything to anyone at any time.  Anyone can send email to you, if they know your address.  Use the Internet wisely, to share your information and knowledge. But don’t broadcast your email address, unless you’re willing to receive “anything from anyone”.  Install a content-filter on your email & web browser.

8. 8 Implications for Home Safety 1. Loss of privacy // gain in access to information. 2. Financial & legal risks // benefits. 3. Hassles // fun.

9. 9 Privacy // Access to information Risk: Outsiders can look in, whenever you “open a window on the world”. Recommendation: Remember that the Web is a public place, not a private one. Be careful of what you say and do, when you’re online. Risk: Outsiders can “break in” to your computer, just as they can break in to your house. Recommendation: We’re still in the “model-T” age of computing! Learn how to (or hire someone to) do basic maintenance: install new virus definitions and apply “security patches” at least twice a year. Get advice quickly, if you suspect a “break-in”.

10. 10 When Strange Things Happen…  Your computer might have a virus. –Symptoms: Various. (RD March 2004: “If things slow down while you’re online be suspicious… Also, look for lights blinking when you’re not using the machine – a sign your PC is busy sending viruses.” N.B. your computer may be automatically downloading the latest patch from MicroSoft. –Don’t open dodgy email. Use a virus-scanner.  Your computer might have some “adware”. –Symptoms: pop-up ads, increased frequency of spam. –Try Ad-Aware from lavasoftusa.com. You’ll be amazed & appalled to discover what your web-browser is telling “everyone who asks”.

11. 11 Privacy // Access (cont.) Risk: Intruders or family members may read your “most private” computer files. Recommendation: Don’t put top-secret (personally or financially damaging) information on a home computer. Benefit: We’re lucky to have such a rich and diverse information resource. Recommendation: Learn how to use a search engine such as Google. You can’t trust any webpage completely, but you can easily check its credibility by reading other webpages!

12. 12 Financial & legal risks // benefits Risk: An outsider (or a family member) may abuse your credit, for example by making unauthorized purchases online. Recommendation: “Buyer beware”. Keep written records of all purchases. Be vigilant for signs of fraud. Be careful who you trust. Risk: Law-enforcement agencies might search & seize. Recommendation: Don’t allow your computer to be used for wholesale violations of civil or criminal law (e.g. supplying unlicensed software, music, pornography, etc.)

13. 13 Cultural Benefit: Many cultures are represented on the web. Risk: Most popular websites are either American, or contain advertising. Is “consumerism” our global monoculture? Recommendation: Expand your horizons! (But not by following advertisements.)

14. 14 Spiritual, Ethical Risk: Anomie (1: personal state of isolation and anxiety resulting from a lack of social control and regulation; 2: lack of moral standards in a society [Web WordNet 1.7.1]). Recommendation: Develoop your ethical and religious beliefs as you explore the web. Think about your “netiquette” http://www.albion.com/netiquette/book/. http://www.albion.com/netiquette/book/

15. 15 Ten Rules of Netiquette (Shea, 1994) 1. Remember the human. 2. Adhere to the same standards of behaviour online… 3. Know where you are in cyberspace. 4. Respect other people’s time and bandwidth. 5. Make yourself look good online. 6. Share expert knowledge.

16. 16 Rules 7-10 of Netiquette 7. Help keep flame wars under control. 8. Respect other people’s privacy. 9. Don’t abuse your power. 10. Be forgiving of other people’s mistakes.

17. 17 Summary  The Web is a public place, not a private one.  The Web is unfathomably diverse and rapidly changing. –It is built and used by people. –Human nature hasn’t changed recently –Be mindful of the risks. –Don’t be so over-cautious that you miss the benefits.