Polam Hall School

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Internet Safety

You may find this link to You think you know useful

Start by looking after the computer:
Keep the operating system (MS Windows) up to date with the patches (fixes for known problems). Use the Microsoft Windows Update site or Automatic Updates in the Control Panel.

Install an anti-virus program and keep it up to date. Free software = AVG or NOD32. Paid for e.g. Norton, Sophos. Run a full sweep/check at least every week – this can be done automatically to a schedule.

Install a software firewall instead of the MS Windows one which hackers know how to turn off! E.g. Sygate (Free) or Norton has a component in its internet protection suite.

Use an anti-spyware program e.g. Spybot Search&Destroy (Free) or Adaware by Lavasoft (Free). Use these regularly to check your computer.

If you have a router to connect your broadband to more than one computer in your house it is likely to have a hardware firewall inside so make sure it is turned on (also turn on any other security features, like encryption, not advertising the SSID, not returning pings etc. (Technical stuff but probably in the setup booklet that comes with the equipment).

Looking after users of the PC:

• Monitor them directly - if not all the time at least at random intervals. Check the History logs. Turn on logging for MSN so all conversations are recorded.
• Install content monitoring/control software. This allows you to set limits on where they can go and when. It can also check for inappropriate words or phrases e.g. Netnanny et al.
• Install key logging software which records everything typed on the computer. It also helps to tell the user that they are being watched.
• Make sure they know how public a place the Internet is. Perhaps use the example of a newly installed computer with just MS Windows on; it will probably be discovered within 10 minutes of you connecting to the Internet!

Problems are thankfully rare amongst people associated with this school but for something to happen just once is one time too many. Depending on their age use appropriate examples of problems.

The main problems are:
1. Contact then interaction with ‘undesirable’ people through ‘friends of friends’ via MSN chat.
2. Making arrangements to meet a person whose only contact with you is through the Internet.
3. The security of your computer being compromised and personal details, particularly bank access names and passwords being open to a hacker.

Some sites to provoke discussion or provide resources

This site has a number of reviews which provide some interesting statistics
It is called Top Ten Reviews
http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/
http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/internet-pornography-statistics.html

Read this to see what is possible in the way of control and/or monitoring
Parental Control Articles http://www.softforyou.com/

American State Laws Covering Public Access
We don’t have quite the same legal system but here is what the Americans think
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/lis/cip/filterlaws.htm

Statistical Report on Online Activity (American)
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/152/report_display.asp

Independent Content Rating Authority (ICRA)
This body set the Ratings (subject and age level) for web-sites which subscribe to this system of ‘self-regulation’
Internet Explorer can use these ratings to permit or deny access to a site.
http://www.icra.org/
Another Content Rating Group
http://www.safesurf.com/

Texas ISP Resource Guide – discussion ideas and what can be done
http://www.tispa.org/info/kinnaman/filtering.htm

Block Chatting
Instant messaging (IM) is probably worse than just surfing…
It can be blocked or controlled or monitored.
http://www.exploreanywhere.com/child-internet-filter.htm

Some ideas on protection issues
http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_internet.shtml
http://www.safekids.com/child_safety.htm

Some people posting on the internet think users should make the decision about where to go and what they view!
Another view about ‘censorship’.
http://www.eff.org/Censorship/Censorware/
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6339317.html

Note: not all libraries/authorities agree with filtering
http://www.afa.net/lif/

Is filtering going to work?
http://news.com.com/Do+Web+filters+protect+your+child/2100-1032_3-6030200.html
They might get around it!
http://news.com.com/Kids+outsmart+Web+filters/2009-1041-6062548.html

Some ideas for software
http://www.bhsu.edu/education/edfaculty/lturner/Internet%20Filtering%20Software.htm

Google Directory of sites on this issue
http://www.google.com/Top/Computers/Internet/Child_Safety/

Interactive help available here?
http://surfsafely.com/surfsafety/

Free Filter called Naomi
http://www.radiance.m6.net/