About Cyber Adiction November 4, 2008

Timothy was twelve when his parents bought him a computer for his room, thinking it would be helpful to him with his homework, as he was entering junior high. Timothy took to the Internet immediately and soon discovered chat rooms and email. At first, Timothy’s parents watched over his shoulder frequently to make sure he was using the Internet safely. After a little while though, they stopped monitoring his online habits. Soon problems arose, however. Timothy began to spend all of his free time in his bedroom, and was moody when asked to spend time with his family. His average grade dropped from an A to a D and he became irritable and angry when he was away from his computer. Timothy is a high risk for Internet addiction.

 

Computers have long been used by both children and adults as reliable sources of information. Over 20% of children now have computers in their own rooms and through the Internet have access to an unlimited supply of information and interaction. However, the risks of addiction are very great among children who are exposed to the Internet without strong parental guidelines.

Excessive Internet use in children can lead to health problems like obesity, headaches and general ill health due to lack of physical activity. Children may become socially maladjusted and less able to communicate well with friends and family. Pedophiles can and do target children online. There is a high risk that children who use the Internet excessively will be exposed to inappropriate sexual content as well as scams. Excessive game play and use of online services can also result in children spending money without their parents’ knowledge. Finally, a majority of popular online games depict excessive use of violence. Viewing trivialized violence in a virtual world, like television or the Internet has been linked to marked increases in behavioral violence among young viewers.

So, what are the warning signs of Internet addiction? Psychological and media experts have compiled a list of warning signs for Internet addiction:

1. The Internet is frequently used as a means of escaping from problems or relieving a depressed mood.

2. Your child often loses track of time while online.

3. Sleep is sacrificed for the opportunity to spend more time online.

4. Your child prefers to spend more time online than with friends or family.

5. He/She lies to family member and friends about the amount of time or nature of surfing being done on the Internet.

6. Your child becomes irritable if not allowed to access the Internet.

7. He/She has lost interest in activities they once found enjoyable before getting online access.

8. Your child forms new relationships with people they have met online.

9. They check their email several times per day.

10. He/She has jeopardized relationships, achievements, or educational opportunities because of the Internet.

11. Your child disobeys the time limits that have been set for Internet usage.

12. They eat in front of the computer frequently.

13. Your child develops withdrawal symptoms including: anxiety, restlessness, or trembling hands after not using the Internet for a lengthy period of time.

14.Your child is preoccupied with getting back online when away from the computer.

15. They have trouble distinguishing between the virtual world and the real world.

About Identity Theft November 4, 2008

 

 

INTERNET users were today warned to protect themselves against identity theft by performing a clean-up of all unused and unwanted online registrations.

They are advised to check which online subscriptions, registrations and accounts they still use and cancel those that they do not.

The appeal comes after research, commissioned by Capital One, revealed that in the UK alone, there are over 296 million unused and uncancelled registrations, accounts and subscriptions languishing on the world wide web – that is over nine accounts for each adult internet user in the UK.

Many online registrations and accounts require personal information such as names, addresses, dates of birth and telephone numbers, which could be used by fraudsters to steal identities.

On average, the services that have been set up, but forgotten – by internet users in the UK – include accounts on social networking sites, online subscriptions to magazines and newsletters, registrations to shopping or auction sites, registrations to online services such as estate agents or wedding sites, email accounts, subscriptions to listings and venue newsletters, accounts on photo sharing sites and online dating site accounts.

In total, over 4.7 million internet users have no idea how many online services they have signed up for. Two thirds admitted to not actively closing down registrations that they no longer use, and a third claim that they found the process ‘difficult’.

However, the main reason given for not closing accounts was that the user had ‘become bored and was no longer interested in that particular activity’ (35%).

Over a quarter of respondents had simply ‘forgotten’ about the account and 25% had moved on to other sites without cancelling original registrations.

In some cases, these online registrations and accounts have remained unused and unchecked for up to two years (18%). The research also shows that there are around 450,000 internet users with at least one online account that has remained open but unused for 10 years or over.

Srini Gopalan, Head of Capital One in the UK, said: “The internet offers so many useful services, enabling us to stay in touch, go shopping and share information, that it’s easy to get carried away. Users can lose track of the information given out online and that’s when they run the risk of their personal information falling into the hands of identity fraudsters.

“The safest way to interact online is to reduce the amount of unnecessary personal data held and this means deleting registrations that you no longer use. We’d also recommend keeping an eye on your credit file, so you can spot when your details have been used.”

Let’s not make it easy for identity fraudsters

Professor Martin Gill, Director of Perpetuity, a spin-out company from the University of Leicester, said: “By obtaining somebody’s personal details an identity fraudster can apply for credit cards, loans and other financial products in that person’s name, and they may not find out for ages.

“The troubling thing is that fraudsters say that it is easy, and we can all play a part, by looking after our personal details, in making it more difficult for offenders.”

Yet, whilst half of those questioned claimed to be concerned about possible security risks, nearly 40% claimed that they simply did not care if their details were stored all over the world wide web, potentially exposing themselves to identify theft, unsolicited spam and targeting by fraudsters.

About internet Terrorism November 4, 2008

Modern Terrorism and the Internet

Paradoxically, the very decentralized network of communication that the U.S. security services created out of fear of the Soviet Union now serves the interests of the greatest foe of the West’s security services since the end of the Cold War: international terror. The roots of the modern Internet are to be found in the early 1970s, during the days of the Cold War, when the U.S. Department of Defense was concerned about reducing the vulnerability of its communication networks to nuclear attack. The Defense Department decided to decentralize the whole system by creating an interconnected web of computer networks. After twenty years of development and use by academic researchers, the Internet quickly expanded and changed its character when it was opened up to commercial users in the late 1980s. By the mid-1990s, the Internet connected more than 18,000 private, public, and national networks, with the number increasing daily. Hooked into those networks were about 3.2 million host computers and perhaps as many as 60 million users spread across all seven continents. The estimated number of users in the early years of the twenty-first century is over a billion.

As it burgeoned, the Internet was hailed as an integrator of cultures and a medium for businesses, consumers, and governments to communicate with one another. It appeared to offer unparalleled opportunities for the creation of a forum in which the “global village” could meet and exchange ideas, stimulating and sustaining democracy throughout the world. However, with the enormous growth in the size and use of the network, utopian visions of the promise of the Internet were challenged by the proliferation of pornographic and violent content on the web and by the use of the Internet by extremist organizations of various kinds. Groups with very different political goals but united in their readiness to employ terrorist tactics started using the network to distribute their propaganda, to communicate with their supporters, to foster public awareness of and sympathy for their causes, and even to execute operations.

By its very nature, the Internet is in many ways an ideal arena for activity by terrorist organizations. Most notably, it offers

• easy access;
• little or no regulation, censorship, or other forms of government control;
• potentially huge audiences spread throughout the world;
• anonymity of communication;
• fast flow of information;
• inexpensive development and maintenance of a web presence;
• a multimedia environment (the ability to combine text, graphics, audio, and video and to allow users to download films, songs, books, posters, and so forth); and
• the ability to shape coverage in the traditional mass media, which increasingly use the Internet as a source for stories.

About Fraud & Online Security November 4, 2008

Fraud & Online Security

Electronic mail or “e-mail” has revolutionized how we communicate today, both personally and professionally. But as Internet hackers learn new ways to steal, guess, and intercept personal information, e-mail has become the main source to help perpetrate these crimes. Your best defense against these cyber-crimes is education and discipline to help keep your online experience secure:

• ‘Phishing’ Scams
• ‘Spoofing’ or Spoof Web Sites
• How to Spot Online Fraud
• How to Avoid Getting ‘Phished’ Online
• Computer Viruses and Infections

‘Phishing’ Scams

Phishing (pronounced ‘fishing’) is a highly prevalent online scheme used by Internet cyber-criminals to ‘lure’ you into providing your personal and financial information online.

The fraudsters create e-mail masquerading as banks, credit card companies, online auctions, and department stores looking for you to update personal information. The e-mail may include a link to a fraudulent site known as a ‘spoof’ site, since it’s crafted to look just like your bank, credit card company or other credible sources.

Some customers unknowingly fall into the trap and happily provide the requested information to what is believed to be a trusted site. As a result, the unsuspecting customer is ‘phished’ and at risk of account theft, identity theft and computer infection. And what are the cyber-criminals after? Everything you protect online:

• Your Social Security number
• Credit Card and/or ATM/Debit card number
• Password or PIN
• Bank Account number
• Online Banking Log-In/Password information

If you’re unsure about any unusual e-mail requests that appear to be from HSBC, just remember:

• You should contact HSBC immediately at 1-800-975-HSBC (1-800-975-4722) if you receive suspicious e-mail.
• HSBC will use the secure Bankmail feature of Personal Internet Banking for online account correspondence, which you initiate.
• No one at HSBC will EVER ask you for your password.
• Only provide information that you initiate through an application, an online transaction or through the normal Log-in/Sign-Up process.
• If HSBC sends e-mail to your personal e-mail address, it will always include a personal or account identifier. Any links included will be to an HSBC web site information page, not directly to a page that requires log-in credentials or personal information.

HSBC will provide resources throughout this Security Site to help keep you protected online. Visit the Alerts! section of the site to view news about fraud attacks against HSBC. You should also review the Anti-Phishing Working Group site to read about other phishing and spoofing attacks reported in the industry. If you receive e-mail or a page link requesting confirmation of personal details, do not input any information, even if the page appears to be legitimate.

 

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‘Spoofing’ or Spoof Sites

As part of a ‘phishing’ scam, Internet fraudsters create authentic-looking web sites to look like other sites. Financial institutions are the most targeted groups to be ‘spoofed’ (or have their sites copied). Through e-mail, the ‘spoofed’ or forged sites attempt to persuade readers to input personal and banking details by creating a sense of urgency around the request. Unfortunately, some readers react and respond quickly with the requested information trusting the request to be legitimate. They may not realize until it’s too late that they had just been ‘phished.’

Many spoofed sites look very legitimate and are sometimes difficult to detect as fraud. The scammers use company logos, impressive graphics, text and credible-looking links. But don’t be fooled by the e-mail or the links, and don’t provide any information without checking directly with the bank or company first. Visit the Alerts! section to learn about examples of current fraud reported against HSBC. Also, visit the Anti-Phishing Working Group site to read examples of spoofed e-mails and phishing scams.

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How to Spot Online Fraud

HSBC’s Security Site includes an Alerts! section designed to raise your awareness and keep you informed of phishing attacks against HSBC and other companies.

It will also provide links to the Anti-Phishing Working Group site so you can review other phishing and spoofing attacks reported. Review the site regularly so you’ll know who is being targeted and the steps to take if you receive fraudulent e-mail or fall victim to an online scam. The following are examples of typical phishing attacks using spoofed sites to lure readers into the scam:

• Request for Updates
  Some spoof sites request verification of personal information to update billing records or in a false attempt to protect and enhance the customer’s online security.

Sample – Request for updated information

• Request for Updates to Avoid Account Termination

Some phishing schemes request that readers update their banking, password and other personal information by threatening account suspension, termination or closure unless the request is completed quickly. Remember, financial institutions and other reputable businesses understand the magnitude and the danger of Internet scams and would neither request personal information via e-mail, nor would they close or terminate an account as a result of your refusal to do so by e-mail.

Sample – Request for updates to avoid suspension/closure #1

Sample – Request for updates to avoid suspension/closure #2

• System Upgrades and Account Verification

From a spoofed site, some phishers will claim that new or updated system changes require identify verification to use the upgraded service.

Sample – Confirm details to use upgraded system

• Promotional or Lottery Fraud

Some fraudsters use exciting news within the fraudulent e-mail to get readers to respond quickly. Some promise money, trips, gifts and lost funds with the caveat that the reader respond with personal ‘verification’ details, or worse yet, with an advance fee to become eligible for the false winning.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do not provide any personal or banking information online without checking the reliability of the offer through the company or financial institution first. If you did qualify for a legitimate prize, you’d most likely be notified by official postal mail and by phone.

Sample – verification needed for winning

• Advance Fee or “419 Fraud”

This creative and dangerous scheme was developed in Nigeria called “Advance Fee Fraud” or “419″ which is named after a section in the Nigerian criminal code covering such activity. The fraud begins with unsolicited letters and e-mails offering the recipient a generous reward for helping to transfer large amounts of money from another country. To the unsuspecting victim, it may seem like an easy, get-rich-quick scheme. But the fraud goes beyond an identity theft con and becomes more involved and dangerous when additional funds are requested by the scammers.

Advance Fee or 419 Fraud

• Virus Hoax E-mails

While many virus notices should be taken seriously, some are sent purely to cause concern for readers and to disrupt businesses. While virus warnings should be taken seriously, check with other sites to confirm before sending the message to colleagues.

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How to Avoid Getting Phished Online

Your best defense against online fraud and computer viruses is education and discipline. Never input personal information on any web site until you have followed these guidelines:

• Verify the validity of the sender and legitimacy of the request
  Do not input any information online until you verify the credibility of the e-mail and the company from which the e-mail has been sent. No reputable company would request password or other personal information to update records through e-mail and you should immediately contact the company in question if you suspect fraud. Only provide information that you initiate through an application, an online transaction or through the normal Log-in/Sign-Up process.

• Never input personal or banking information online without checking that the web site is in a ‘secured’ environment.

Look for an “https://” in the web site address line (URL) at the top of your browser. The ‘s’ in “https://” denotes that the Internet session is secured by encryption to keep the information you transmit online protected from unauthorized users. Secured sessions are used when you apply for credit, purchase items online or use online banking. For example, the following is the secured URL or web address for the Personal Internet Banking Log-In service:

https://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/3/personal/online-services/personal-internet-banking/log-on

In addition, a locked padlock symbol in the bottom right corner of your Internet browser window also indicates that an Internet session is ‘secured’ through encryption. But be aware that even secure sites can be spoofed to include the “https://” prefix and locked padlock. Only provide information that you initiate through an application, an online transaction or through the normal Log-in/Sign-Up process.

• Typical phishing requests are not personalized to the reader.

Unlike your own bank or credit card company that may include your name, an account identifier or type, scammers keep the salutation and information about you generic. These could be telltale signs of a potential fraud.

Sample – generic e-mail request for account updates

• Remember: Credit card issuers and financial institutions would not ask you to send or verify your password, Social Security number, or PIN within an e-mail message.

Only provide information that you initiate through an application, an online transaction or through the normal Log-in/Sign-Up process.

If you receive a suspicious e-mail requesting your personal or financial information, contact the company by phone to question the validity of the e-mail received.

• Be suspicious of numerical web addresses or URL.

Anytime you visit a website, you’ll see the URL or the ‘web address’ for that company or business within the top bar of your Internet browser. Typically, a company’s web address includes part or a portion of the company name followed by .com, .org, or .net.

For example, the web address for HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is:
http://us.hsbc.com

A spoof site that uses a numerical web address (or an IP address) or includes an “@” sign within the address could be a tip off that the site has been spoofed and is fraudulent. Even if a site has a portion of the company name, you can’t be sure it’s legitimate based on the web naming. Contact the bank/company of the spoofed site immediately.

Sample – Numeric web address/URL

• Become familiar with the Web sites you frequently visit

Bookmark the sites you know and trust to be credible. You’ll then be better prepared to spot sites that look suspicious. HSBC’s United States web site is:
us.hsbc.com

Bookmark HSBC’s site for future reference. To do this, simply click on the link which will take you to HSBC’s homepage then bookmark or add the web site address as follows:

• Internet Explorer and AOL users, select “Favorites” from the top navigation, then “Add to Favorites.”

• Learn about other online attacks.

Visit the Alerts! section of the Security Site to become familiar with current and new fraud and identity theft schemes reported against HSBC and other companies. Also visit the Anti-Phishing Working Group site to read about other phishing and spoofing attacks reported. Staying abreast of current fraud reported, trends and sample fraudulent e-mail will help reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.

Visit other sites for information on critical updates, virus alerts, anti-spyware programs and new technology being developed to help combat online fraud:

• Trend Micro
• SpyBot
• PC World
• Symantec
• McAfee
• Computer Associates®

• Install and run updated anti-virus software

Never double-click on an e-mail attachment that contains an executable file (such as ‘.exe’ ‘.com’ or ‘.vbs’, etc.) unless you have run anti-virus software first. If a file is infected and opened, the virus can damage your hard drive, program files, and e-mail files. Virus software can scan your incoming and outgoing e-mail attachments for computer infections like worms, viruses , Trojan Horses and other malicious code that can affect your computer files and operation. Run your Anti-Virus Software to detect infections before any file is opened. Three popular sources for anti-virus and firewall protection software are Symantec, McAfee and Computer Associates®.

• Install Firewall software

Install firewall software on your computer to prevent unauthorized individuals or information from entering your computer system. This is especially important on computers that use a broadband connection to access the Internet (Cable modems or DSL). Since the Internet connection is on when your computer is on, the risk for malicious activity to your computer increases.

• Update your Internet Browser

Download the latest security patches, operating system updates, and virus definitions to your Internet browser as well as the latest anti-spam software. Internet Explorer users should immediately link to Microsoft updates to download the latest security upgrades and patches relating to phishing schemes.

• Check your accounts, online and offline

Regularly check your bank account statements as well as debit and credit card statements to be sure all transactions are legitimate. Consider enrolling in the Equifax credit monitoring program that can keep you aware of any changes to your credit. You can receive alerts for any changes to your credit or for credit inquiries from financial sources as well as other sources of which you may not be aware. If you suspect fraud or identity theft, contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus for more information:

• Equifax 1-800-525-6285
• Experian™ 1-888-397-3742
• Trans Union^sm 1-800-680-7289

To report suspicious e-mail or online fraud

HSBC is committed to the security of your personal and financial information and will provide the tools and resources to secure your online experience.

If you receive any suspicious e-mail that appears to come from HSBC, contact us immediately at 1-800-975-HSBC (1-800-975-4722). Or you can send a secure Bankmail through Personal Internet Banking. Our representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist and take immediate action.

If the fraudulent e-mail is purported to be from another company, contact the company by phone to notify them of the suspicious e-mail, then forward the fraudulent e-mail message including the web address header. In addition to the company that was spoofed, forward the entire fraudulent e-mail message, including the web address header to:

• Anti-Phishing Working Group
• FTC
  or via e-mail to: spam@uce.gov
• The FBI Internet Fraud Complaint Center

About your Children November 4, 2008

Why should you worry?

 Let’s face it. It’s never been easier for a dangerous person to reach your child and dig his claws into your lives. The Internet is a wonderful place, but the anonymity of it can be a tool, used with great precision by those who would do your family harm.

The Internet doesn’t just contain pornography that your child might find, although that’s bad enough. It might also host dangerous strangers who can lure your child away. It can contain recipes for cooking methamphetamine, a frightening addictive drug, and it can point your child to bombs, guns, hate groups, pedophiles, and dangerous products. There are several Web sites that promote self-destructive habits, such as eating disorders. And of course, if your child is on the Internet, your child isn’t reading, walking, playing, getting fresh air, or communicating with you.

 

Be Involved! 

 Our best advice to parents is to be actively involved in children’s lives and know what they’re up to. Keep a close watch over their Web activity and don’t allow children to scare you off with complaints about privacy. Dangerous people depend and thrive on your child’s privacy. One of the greatest advantages a dangerous person gains over your child is when he has your child alone and away from your protection. Allowing a child to surf without supervision can provide a dangerous person with that advantage he seeks – even before the child leaves your house. 

Safer Child highly recommends consistently telling and showing your children – even while still toddlers – that they are beautiful and capable people who mean the world to you, whose company you enjoy and whose opinion you value. We believe that such ongoing affirmation of their self-worth will go a long way toward preventing dangerous Internet behavior as teen-agers.

 

 

 

You are your child’s best censor!

There are Internet filtering devices available. The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families reviews Internet filtering devices on its site FilterReview.com — and also includes customer comments. Bear in mind that what you consider to be unacceptable content might not match what the software authors consider unacceptable. Buy carefully. And remember: Parents are their child’s best censor.

Virus & Hackers November 4, 2008

Dangers on the Internet November 4, 2008

Internet was come with all their beneficts goods and with their dangers.

There are differents kinds of problems. Look about us!

Welcome October 21, 2008

Welcome in my first blog, to learn E-communication we have to build a special web site.

Please visit my personal website www.vraimond.com

Find out news things about the internet ? October 14, 2008

Each people who know internet can create his owm website which will be visit by the world.

Sometime, persons whoses share the same interest for a subject create a big website. The kind of website is called “Forum”, everybody can suscribe and exchange theres ideas with other. This information are sometimes wrong, so you have to be carrefull but the global information is really clear, wrotten by somebody like you and me.

Rss October 14, 2008

Rss information was succefully include into the blog.

There are millions possibility to select differents kind of information.