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Computer
Security Tip 8
Protect your children online.
Children present unique security risks when they use
a computer – not only do you have to keep them safe, you have
to protect the data on your computer. By taking some simple steps, you
can dramatically reduce the threats.
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Keep your computer in a central and open location
in your home and be aware of other computers your child may be using.
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Discuss and set guidelines/rules for computer use
with your children. Post these rules by the computer as a reminder.
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Use the Internet with your children. Familiarize yourself
with your children's online activities and maintain a dialogue with
your child about what applications they are using.
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Implement parental control tools that are provided
by some ISPs and available for purchase as separate software packages.
Remember – no program is a substitute for parental supervision.
Also, you may be able to set some parental controls within your browser.
Internet Explorer allows you to restrict or allow certain Web sites
to be viewed on your computer, and you can protect these settings
with a password. To find those options, click Tools on your menu bar,
select Internet Options, choose the Content tab, and click the Enable
button under Content Advisor.
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Consider partitioning your computer into separate
accounts - Most operating systems (including Windows XP, Mac OS X,
and Linux) give you the option of creating a different user account
for each user. If you're worried that your child may accidentally
access, modify, and/or delete your files, you can give him/her a separate
account and decrease the amount of access and number of privileges
he/she has.
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Know who your children's online friends are and supervise
their chat areas.
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Teach your children never to give out personal information
to people they meet online such as in chat rooms or bulletin boards.
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Know who to contact if you believe your child is in
danger. Visit www.getnetwise.org for detailed information.If you know
of a child in immediate risk or danger, call law enforcement immediately.
Please report instances of online child exploitation to the National
Center For Missing and Exploited Children's Cyber Tipline.
Even though children may have better technical skills,
don't be intimidated by their knowledge. Children still need advice,
guidance and protection. Keep the lines of communication open and let
your child know that you can be approached with any questions they may
have about behaviors or problems encountered on the computer.
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