Internet Safety

Gleneagles Computer ClubFebruary 16, 2015

by Deborah Benson

True or False?

59% of Adults Age 65 and

Above Use the Internet

TRUE!

Once seniors are online, it becomes a regular part of their

lives:

•71% go online every day•82% go online at least weekly

Defend your Computer

• If you have a PC (a Windows based system), make sure you have anti-virus, spyware, and firewall software installed– Turn on automatic updates to make sure you

keep your software up-to-date– Keep your browser up-to-date• Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox are some

examples of browsers you may be using

Good newsFor Mac owners:

At this time, there are no viruses that can infect a

Mac OS X system!

There is malware so you must be careful • Malware: software that is intended to damage or

disable computers and computer systems

The worst offenders: MacKeeper and other so-called “cleaner” programs

• These show up as a pop-up. Do not allow this program to be downloaded!

• If you have downloaded it, it must be removed

QuizClicking on pop-up ads:

A. Is a safe way to explore the internet

B. Can lead you to a potentially unsafe website and possibly ask for personal or payment information you do not need to give

Clicking on pop-up ads:

A. Is a safe way to explore the internet

B. Can lead you to a potentially unsafe website and possibly ask for personal or payment information you do not need to give

Guard e-mail and other accounts with strong passwords

Use at least 8 characters Include upper case and lower case

letters Use numbers and/or symbols Do not use the same password for

various accounts

Keep passwords secret and secure!

The best way to keep track of your passwords is with a password app

• Check out Dashlane and 1Password• A password app will keep track of all your

passwords• You only need to remember ONE password,

and that is the password for your password app

Treat your password like a toothbrush. Don’t let anybody

else use it and get a new one every six

months.-Clifford Stoll

Use Email More Safely

Watch out for messages that say:

• You’ve won a lottery• You need to send money to your

grandchild• You need to help a relative “transfer

funds”

These are all SCAMS

Examples of these sorts of scam emails follow. These were found in my personal email (spam folder) in the last few days.

SPAM

SPAM

SPAM

Sometimes SPAM comes from people we know. Do not click on links just because you know or recognize the sender.

If the content does not make sense, does not look right, or consists of just a link to click or a document to open, DO NOT CLICK, DO NOT OPEN.

Contact the Sender and ask if he or she sent the link to you.

DO NOTCLICK

Although I know this

sender, this is SPAM

BEWARE OF PHISHING

Phishing is the attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

Authenticor

Phishing?

Logo looks authentic

Threat

Link – DO NOT CLICK ON IT

Phishing

Real or Phishing?

Phishing

If you have ANY doubt,do not click.

Call the sender and verify the authenticity of the email.

If fraudulent, DELETE!

How to TellIf a Website is Secure

Look at the web address in your browser, make sure the web address starts with https://

Look for a closed padlock in your web browser. When you click on the padlock you should see a message that states the name of the company and that “The connection to the server is encrypted”.

The padlock may be in a different location than shown.

It could be on the bottom of the browser or in some other location

Important:Look for https://

The S stands for secure.http:// (without the s)

is not secure.

Do not log into a site if it is not secure as described.

Do not log into a site if you feel it is a fake, call the company directly.

Log out of the site when you are finished.

Remember:

Using Social Networks Safely Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube Online Dating Sites i.e. JDate

YOU must decide howpublic or private you want

your profile to be.

Be sure you have looked at

each setting and set it to

your comfort level.

Examples of Settings Icons

No matter which programyou are using, look for the settings icon and set your

privacy preferences.

In settings or options, you should set:

• who sees your profile• who sees your photos and friends• how people can search for you• who can make comments• how to block unwanted access by

others

Think Before You Post!

Do not post details that could identify you or locate you in person:• your address• your phone number• your birth date• other identifying information

Remember, on the webanyone can pretend to be

someone he/she is not.

•Meet in a busy public place.• Either bring a friend or let one

know where you’re going.• If it doesn’t feel right or if the

person wasn’t truthful, walk away.

Online Dating

You can stay safe incyberspace!

REMEMBER:

Internet Safety

A Presentation of the Gleneagles Computer Club

by Deborah Benson

February 16, 2015