GetNetWise
July 24, 2003
INTERNET LEADERS, BROAD COALITION JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH GETNETWISE 2.0
Campaign to Provide Roadmap and Resources for a Safe and Secure Online
Experience
Washington, DC -- A coalition of leading Internet companies and public
interest organizations today announced the newly expanded version of
GetNetWise.org, GetNetWise 2.0, an online educational campaign with tools
and resources to ensure a safe, secure and positive online experience for
Internet users. www.GetNetWise.org
can be found on the most popular entry points to the Internet, as well as on
many of the most recognized Web sites. Do you know how to secure your
computer against hackers and viruses? Do you know how to filter some forms
of spam out of your computer? Do you know how to control cookies in your
browser? "The answer to hundreds of computer and Internet related questions
can now be found in one simple, user-friendly resource -- GetNetWise.org.
The GetNetWise coalition is a broad, unprecedented partnership committed to
providing resources for consumers to make their Internet experience the best
it can be," said Jerry Berman, president of The Internet Education
Foundation.
GetNetWise was originally launched in 1999 and focused exclusively on child
safety issues confronting parents. As the Internet changes so do the
challenges facing consumers online, which is the reason the nation's biggest
and most influential online organizations have come together to launch the
next generation of GetNetWise.
The GetNetWise coalition consists of companies and organizations committed
to providing users the tools and information they need to better control
their online experiences. As more and more tools are developed to help
educate consumers to take charge of their online experiences, the coalition
feels a broader empowerment effort is essential.
The newly expanded GetNetWise is aggregated into four, well-organized and
easy-to-use areas of interest to Internet users:
-- Keeping Children Safe Online -- A comprehensive resource on recognizing
and reporting problems, educating your kids about safe and unsafe
experiences online and finding tech tools for families.
-- Stopping Unwanted E-mail and Spam -- This information on how to help
alleviate unwanted e-mails in your inbox includes tips, tools and
instructions on how to take action if necessary.
-- Protecting Your Computer from Hackers and Viruses -- Information about
the risks that hackers and viruses prose to your computer files and software
and how to prevent such attacks.
-- Keeping Your Personal Information Private -- A guide that includes tools
and techniques to better control how much personal information you share
with online stores, Web sites, e-mailers and other people who may use your
computer.
Perhaps the most exciting new features on GetNetWise.org are the interactive
tutorials and GetNetWise TV. The interactive tutorials allow users to
"follow along" with a cyber-teacher who will walk through the steps
necessary to improve and enhance online experiences. All programs have been
developed in Flash animation format so that 97% of all Web browsers have the
capability to access these resources. GetNetWise TV offers advice in short
video clips from leading experts on computer use and safety.
GetNetWise is a project managed by the Internet Education Foundation and is
hosted by some of the most recognized names on the Internet today, including
America Online, Inc., AT&T, Microsoft and Verizon. Additionally, GetNetWise
is supported by a steering committee made up of the following leading
organizations: American Library Association, Amazon.com, Center for
Democracy and Technology, Comcast, Earthlink, Inc., Recording Industry
Association, Visa USA and Yahoo!. Advisory board members include: Call for
Action, Center for Internet Security, The Children's Partnership, Consortium
for School Networking, Consumer Action, Donna Rice Hughes, Internet Content
Rating Association, Larry Magid, National Consumers League, Net Family News,
People for the American Way, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and Wired Patrol.
GetNetWise promotional partners include the Better Business Bureau and
privacy seal program TRUSTe.
About GetNetWise
The GetNetWise coalition wants Internet users to be only "one click away"
from the resources they need to make informed decisions about their and
their family's use of the Internet.
GetNetWise is a broad-based campaign managed and built by the Internet
Education Foundation and is hosted by some of the most recognized names on
the Internet today, including America Online, Inc., AT&T, Microsoft and
Verizon. GetNetWise is supported by a steering committee made up of the
following leading organizations: ALA, Amazon.com, CDT, Comcast, Earthlink,
Inc., RIAA, Visa USA and Yahoo!, and advised by a diverse advisory board.
For more information, please visit <http://www.GetNetWise.org>.
Tips Tools and Take Action
Kids Tips
Keeping children safe on the Internet is everyone's job.
-- Parents need to stay in close touch with their kids as they explore the
Internet.
-- Teachers need to help students use the Internet appropriately and safely.
-- Community groups, including libraries, after-school programs and others
should help educate the public about safe surfing.
-- Kids and teens need to learn to take responsibility for their own
behavior -- with guidance from their families and communities.
-- It's not at all uncommon for kids to know more about the Internet and
computers than their parents or teachers. If that's the case in your home or
classroom, don't despair. You can use this as an opportunity to turn the
tables by having your child teach you a thing or two about the Internet. Ask
her where she likes to go on the Internet and what she thinks you might
enjoy on the Net. Get your child to talk with you about what's good and not
so good about his Internet experience. Also, no matter how Web-literate your
kid is, you should still provide guidance. You can't automate good
parenting.
Kids Take Action:
Who should you contact for help?
Once they have identified a serious problem, parents are often confused
about who to turn to for help. Even though the criminal can't be seen and
the crime happens over computer and phone wires, it is important to remember
that most crimes on the Internet can be handled like crimes in the real
world. If there is an immediate personal threat of harm to your child, call
911, as with similar emergencies offline.
Local Police: There is no national agency that deals with every type of
Internet crime, so local law enforcement is generally your best resource.
Select your home state for more information on how to contact your state
police. Your local police can help you determine your legal rights and
responsibilities since laws for protecting children and families vary from
state to state.
More information about your legal rights and responsibilities is also
available. Your local police can also help you identify and contact national
child advocacy groups that may have expertise in dealing with specific types
of crimes.
National child advocacy groups: There are several national child advocacy
groups providing specialized assistance with problems in the real world that
can also address these problems when they occur online. They run 24-hour
help lines, provide educational materials, make referrals for local family
support groups, and offer many other problem-specific resources. The
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) runs a CyberTipline
, where you can report incidents of child sexual exploitation, including
child pornography, online enticement of children for sexual acts, child
prostitution, child-sex tourism and child sexual molestation. You can also
call them at 1-800-843-5678. More information on contacting national
advocacy groups is also available.
Federal Law Enforcement
Many times Internet crimes fall under federal jurisdiction. In a situation
that is not an emergency in which you encounter some criminal activity that
might involve your child, consider contacting law enforcement agencies at
the federal level.
Here are two examples:
For child-luring -- when, through contact online, an adult tries to "lure" a
child to meet face-to-face -- you can contact the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
If you encounter child pornography -- sexually explicit material involving
minors -- call the US Customs Service at 1-800-BE-ALERT. For information, go
to the US Customs Web site.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Downloading or making a copy of child pornography for any
reason -- even to provide it as evidence to law enforcement -- is a crime in
the United States. If you run across what you believe to be child
pornography, you should record the URL (Web address) and report only that to
law enforcement.
Here are some other federal agencies that deal with crimes on the Web:
-- US Postal Inspection Service
-- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
-- Drug Enforcement Administration
Security Tips
Are you on broadband or dial-up?
Whether you use dial-up or high-speed Internet access, you could be
vulnerable to hackers or viruses. Below are tips to help ensure online
security.
Always use anti-virus software -- And keep the software up-todate. Over 500
new viruses are discovered each month. You are not just protecting yourself
when using virus software, but also others you communicate with.
Always use a firewall -- A firewall is an "internal lock" for information on
your computer. Many computer operating systems already have firewalls
installed, you just have to turn them on. There are many other firewalls
available to download or buy that help you secure your computer.
Be aware of what you share -- You can be exposed to danger via e-mail,
file-sharing, a broadband connection or a Wi-Fi connection.
Disconnect from the Internet when idle -- If you are not using your Internet
connection, turn it off. No one can attack your computer when it is not
connected to the Internet. This is especially important if you have a
high-speed connection.
Use unique passwords -- And don't share your passwords with anyone.
Be in control of your software -- The software and operating system on your
computer have many features, many you may not use. Learn about these
features. Use the security features available and turn off any extraneous
options that leave your computer vulnerable.
Use tools to enhance your protection -- Learn about tools that can help to
protect you from viruses and hackers.
Take action, immediately -- If you think you have been hacked or infected by
a virus contact your ISP.
Security Tools:
Firewalls
Keep hackers and criminals out of your computer by activating your built-in
firewall or downloading a firewall for your computer. Firewall software will
allow you to surf the Internet and download content you want, but it will
also prevent hackers from getting into your computer. Learn how to activate
your built-in firewall or choose from a range of firewalls ready to
download.
Antivirus Software
Even the most e-mail-savvy user can't stop every virus from entering their
computer. Anti-virus software, when it is kept up-to-date, can stop most
viruses from causing damage to your computer and other computers. Most
anti-virus software can be downloaded from the Internet. Check our database
for a list of anti-virus products.
E-mail Filters
Many viruses are passed via e-mail. To cut down on the amount of unwanted
and unknown email that fills your inbox, use e-mail filters. Many e-mail
clients have filters built-in to the program.
Security Take Action
Disconnect When Infected or Hacked - If you feel that your computer has been
hacked or infected by a virus, immediately disconnect it from the Internet
(unplug the phone or cable line). Use a non-infected computer to download
up-to-date virus software. Then run the antivirus program to clean up the
problem. Remember to always keep your anti-virus and firewall software
up-to-date and running in the background to prevent problems.
Report Serious Intrusions, Hacks or Viruses -- After you have taken steps to
clean out viruses or hackers, report serious incidents to your Internet
Service Provider. Try to include information from your anti-virus software
or firewall incident or log report. Learn more. If you think the intrusion
is more serious, you also can report incidents to the FBI at www.ifccfbi.gov
<http://www.ifccfbi.gov>.
Spam Tips
Use a unique e-mail address -- Pick an address that is hard for spammers to
guess and easy for you to remember. Also, if chatting online, use a unique
screen name that is not associated with your e-mail address.
Use multiple e-mail addresses -- Consider creating separate addresses or
accounts that can be used for online purchases, chat rooms and other public
postings. You can also use a free forwarding address.
"Mask" your e-mail address -- If you post your e-mail address online
consider masking your address. There are several ways to correctly mask your
address and thwart spammers.
Check the privacy policy when you submit your address to a Web site --
Always be familiar with a Website's privacy policy before submitting any
information. Learn more about how to read a privacy policy.
If it sounds too good to be true, -- it probably is. Fraudsters, scammers
and crooks take advantage of people via unwanted email.
Use tools to help prevent spam -- Learn about tools that can filter or tag
spam before it fills your e-mail inbox.
Spam Tools:
You can use your delete key to manage your incoming junk email, but there
are other options available. Many of the programs you regularly use have
capabilities that can help you deal with spam.
Use a junk mail filter -- Learn more about junk mail filters and how to use
them. View video tutorials for activating these filters in Eudora for the
PC, Entourage for the Macintosh, AOL8 and Hotmail.
Download other tools to help prevent spam -- There are many other tools
available that help you filter, block and report spam.
Spam Take Action:
Take action against unwanted e-mails that you receive. The authorities
cannot respond to spammers without complaints about spammers' activities.
Reporting these messages to the appropriate authorities can get the
spammer's current account closed. It will also help prevent others from
being victimized by the spammer. The authorities may also choose to
prosecute for fraudulent or deceptive e-mails.
Report to The Federal Trade Commission -- The FTC wants your unwanted e-mail
messages and reports of any e-mail unsubscribe link that is deceptive. Help
the FTC fight unwanted and deceptive e-mails.
Contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP) -- You can either contact your
ISP or the spammer's ISP to report unwanted e-mails.
Contact Law Enforcement Authorities -- Threatening, inappropriate and
unwanted e-mails can also be reported to law enforcement authorities. More
information is available on the appropriate contacts.
Privacy Tips
Is your information safe while you are browsing the web?
Learn how to protect your privacy while browsing, shopping, communicating
and sharing your online computer.
Browsing Tips
Change your Web browser's cookie settings -- Before you decide to change
your browser's cookie setting, first learn a little more about cookies. If
you're concerned about cookies tracking the Web pages you visit, the tools
section will walk you through how to change the cookie settings of your Web
browser with animated video tutorials.
Purge from your home computer traces of your Web travel Our Sharing section
shows users how they can prevent people with whom they share their computer
from viewing traces of their web travels. If you would rather keep people in
your home, apartment or dorm room from seeing which Web sites you've
visited, learn how to delete those traces from your computer.
Always read privacy policies of the sites you frequent -- Many Web sites
will provide information about whether -- and for what purpose -- they use
cookies. Just as it's important to read a privacy policy when shopping, you
should also read a privacy policy to determine how a site uses information
gathered from your cookies.
Opt-out of profiling by Network Advertisers -- Since Network Advertising
Companies serve up many of the Web page advertisements you see on Web sites
across the Internet; they are in a unique position to view your browsing
patterns. You can prevent them from creating a profile from your browsing
patterns by visiting their Web site at NetworkAdvertising.org.
Shopping Tips:
Know who you're buying from -- When shopping online deal only with reputable
companies and give them only enough information to make the purchase. Learn
how to identify reputable companies and to read a privacy policy.
Make sure your purchases and information are secure -- Use credit cards to
limit your financial exposure, look to see if the web transaction is
securely encrypted, and be careful with your passwords.
Learn to spot unscrupulous marketers and fraudsters before you shop -- Learn
to spot a scam before you fall for it. Also, find out where to look to see
if marketers will misuse your personal information.
Check company policies and keep records of your purchases -- Before you buy,
make sure you're aware of the company's policies on returns, warranties,
etc. After you buy, keep good records of your purchases and keep an eye on
your credit card statements.
Communicating Tips:
Understand the concerns associated with e-mail -- First you should
understand some of the privacy concerns that may be associated when
communicating online via e-mail.
Know the recipient -- Make sure that your e-mail recipient is a trustworthy
person and will not forward your e-mail on to others without your consent.
Use a password -- If you share your computer with others -- such as family
members or roommates -- use an e-mail application that can be password
protected.
Delete local copies of messages -- You can also delete the local copy of
your sent e-mail message by opening the "sent" or "out" folder in your
e-mail program and deleting the message. You will also need to then open the
"deleted" or "trash" folder in your email program and delete the message one
more time to make sure that it is removed from your email application.
Learn more about unwanted e-mails -- You can learn more about unwanted
e-mails. Visit spam.GetNetWise.org
Sharing Tips:
Learn how to erase traces of your Web travels -- Make sure others cannot
access your history and cache files.
Keep files and data on your computer hidden from others -- If you share a
computer, you may want to keep certain sensitive files private. Whether they
are word processing documents or photos, there are many ways to keep others
from viewing them while using your computer.
-- Use Removable Disks or External Drives to Save Data. -- Use the "Hide"
Feature to Mask Sensitive Files and Folders in Your PC. -- Delete and Double
Delete Erased Data.
Thoroughly delete your email files -- If you use an email program like
Outlook or Eudora chances are all your email, sent and received, can be
accessed by anyone you share a computer with. If you want to keep those
emails private, there are several things you can do. Use strong passwords --
and don't share them with anyone. |
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WQC 2003 
ISAQ 2005