Internet Safety Pitfalls and Dangers

Summary

This video script serves as a cautionary guide to navigating the internet safely. It compares the online world to a city with various neighborhoods, some safe and others dangerous. The script warns against 'bad neighborhood' websites that may scam, steal personal information, or spread false information. It advises on safe social networking, emphasizing the importance of privacy settings and not sharing sensitive personal details. The video also covers the risks of online predators, the dangers of sharing personal information, and the potential long-term consequences of online posts. It provides tips for secure online shopping, recognizing phishing scams, and dealing with cyberbullying, ultimately urging viewers to exercise common sense and caution in the digital realm.

Takeaways

• 🏠 The internet has 'neighborhoods' that can be safe or dangerous, similar to real cities.
• ⚠️ Be cautious of websites that make unrealistic claims, contain illegal content, or aim to steal personal information.
• 🔒 Social network sites can be risky if you don't control who can see your information.
• 👀 Never reveal sensitive personal details like your last name, address, or passwords online.
• 📝 Be aware that online posts can have long-lasting effects and be seen by a wide audience.
• 🛒 When shopping online, ensure the site is secure (https, lock icon) and belongs to a reputable retailer.
• 🎣 Beware of 'phishing' scams that trick you into revealing personal information through fake emails or websites.
• 🐠 Fishing scams are not about fish, but about stealing your personal and financial information.
• 🗣️ Cyberbullying can have serious real-world consequences and is a form of immature behavior.
• 👥 If meeting an online acquaintance, choose a public place with many people and consider bringing a friend or parent.

Q & A

What are some risks associated with visiting certain websites online?

Risks include encountering sites that make unrealistic claims, contain illegal or immoral content, or are designed to steal personal information such as Social Security and credit card numbers.

Why are social network sites considered a potential 'bad neighborhood' on the internet?

Social network sites can be risky because they may contain unreliable information, be used to obtain personal details for spamming, or even harbor criminals who disguise their identities to target victims.

What is the importance of limiting access to your page on social network sites?

Limiting access helps to weed out undesirable individuals by controlling who can see your page and information, thus enhancing privacy and security.

Why should you be cautious about the information you post online?

Online postings can be saved and resent, potentially reaching a worldwide audience, and they can last for years, impacting your personal and professional life.

What safety tips are suggested when interacting with online acquaintances?

Never reveal personal details like your last name, address, or passwords, and avoid meeting online acquaintances in person, especially in secluded places.

How can you protect your credit card information when shopping online?

Ensure the website uses https, look for a lock icon, and verify that the site is part of a well-known retailer with a physical address and a clear return policy.

What is phishing and how can it be identified?

Phishing is a scam where criminals send emails pretending to be from a bank or financial institution to steal personal data. It's often identified by urgent requests to act and links to fake websites that ask for sensitive information.

What are the potential consequences of cyberbullying?

Consequences can range from humiliation and harassment to more severe outcomes like suicides, serious assaults, murder, and school expulsions.

What should you do if you are targeted by a cyberbully?

Ignore the bully, block the sender if it's an email or message, and report serious threats to a parent, school counselor, or the police.

Why is it advised to keep your chat room handle or IM screen name from revealing your identity?

Revealing too much information in your handle or screen name can pose serious risks by making it easier for criminals to deduce your full identity and potentially stalk or harm you.

What is the significance of the 's' in 'https' when making online purchases?

The 's' stands for secure, indicating that the site is encrypted and uses special software to protect your information, making it more difficult for criminals to steal data during transactions.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Internet Safety and Social Media

This paragraph discusses the similarities between neighborhoods in a city and websites on the internet, highlighting that while most are safe, some can be dangerous. It warns against websites that make unrealistic claims, contain illegal or immoral content, or aim to steal personal information. The paragraph also addresses the potential risks of social networking sites, where criminals may pose as trustworthy individuals to deceive users. It advises on precautions such as limiting access to personal pages, not revealing sensitive personal information, and being cautious about the longevity of online posts that could be seen by a wide audience, including potential employers and authorities.

05:01

🛡️ Protecting Yourself Online

The second paragraph provides safety tips for online interactions, emphasizing the importance of ending conversations that make one feel uncomfortable and reporting them to a trusted adult. It advises against sharing phone numbers with online acquaintances due to the risk of being tracked. The paragraph also warns against meeting online friends in person, especially in isolated locations, and suggests public places with other people present as safer alternatives. It discusses the importance of secure online shopping, looking for 'https' in the website address and a lock icon as indicators of a secure site, and checking for a retailer's physical address and clear return policies.

10:05

🐟 Phishing Scams and Cyberbullying

This paragraph focuses on phishing scams where criminals send deceptive emails to steal sensitive information like Social Security numbers and credit card details. It explains that these scams often use urgency and fake links to trick victims. The paragraph also addresses cyberbullying, detailing the negative impacts it can have, including suicides and serious legal consequences. It provides advice on how to handle cyberbullying, such as ignoring it, blocking the sender, and reporting threats to authorities.

15:08

🔒 Final Safety Precautions for Online Activities

The final paragraph reiterates the importance of following safety rules online to avoid dangerous situations. It emphasizes the need for controlling who can see one's social network page, not sharing personal details with online acquaintances, and being cautious about meeting online friends in person. It also highlights the importance of recognizing phishing schemes and the need to report threats from cyberbullies. The paragraph concludes by encouraging the exercise of common sense and caution to enjoy the internet safely.

Keywords

💡Cyberspace

Cyberspace refers to the virtual environment created by computer networks, particularly the internet. In the context of the video, it underscores the distinction between the physical and digital realms, highlighting the potential risks of online interactions. The video mentions that what appears on a monitor in cyberspace may not reflect real-world realities, indicating the need for caution in online activities.

💡Personal Information

Personal information encompasses details such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, and home addresses. The video stresses the importance of safeguarding this data to prevent identity theft and fraud. It warns against sharing such sensitive information on unsecured websites or with untrustworthy individuals online.

💡Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites are online platforms that allow users to connect, communicate, and share information. The video uses these sites as a focal point to discuss the potential dangers of online interactions, such as encountering criminals who may disguise their identities to target victims. It also offers advice on how to use these sites safely.

💡Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is the use of electronic communication to harass, threaten, or intimidate others. The video addresses this issue, explaining that it can take various forms, including blogs, social media posts, and text messages. It provides guidance on how to handle such situations, emphasizing the importance of reporting threats to authorities.

💡Online Predators

Online predators are individuals who exploit the internet to deceive and harm others, often targeting children and teenagers. The video script mentions the uncovering of criminals on social network sites, illustrating the real-world consequences of interacting with such individuals. It advises on precautions to take to avoid becoming a victim.

💡Phishing Scams

Phishing scams involve fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, often by disguising as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications. The video explains how these scams work and the importance of recognizing and avoiding them to protect personal and financial information.

💡Secure Websites

Secure websites are those that use encryption to protect the privacy and integrity of the exchanged information. The video highlights the importance of looking for 'https' in the web address and a lock icon as indicators of a secure site, especially when making online purchases or providing personal information.

💡Digital Footprint

A digital footprint refers to the trail of data left by an individual's online activities. The video script emphasizes that online postings can have long-lasting effects, potentially impacting future opportunities such as employment or education. It advises users to be mindful of the information they share online.

💡Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. The video touches on various cybersecurity measures, such as using secure websites and being cautious about sharing personal information, to safeguard against online threats.

💡Online Etiquette

Online etiquette refers to the norms and rules for responsible and respectful behavior on the internet. The video script indirectly addresses this concept by discussing the importance of not revealing personal information and the potential harm caused by cyber bullying, suggesting that users should act ethically and considerately in online environments.

💡Digital Identity

Digital identity is the online representation of oneself, which can include screen names, avatars, and other identifiers. The video warns against using screen names or handles that reveal too much personal information, as this can make individuals vulnerable to identity theft or stalking.

Highlights

The internet has areas similar to dangerous neighborhoods in cities.

Some websites make unrealistic claims or contain illegal content.

Personal information theft is a common threat on the internet.

Social network sites can be safe if certain precautions are taken.

Limiting access to your page on social networks is crucial.

Never reveal personal details like last name or address online.

Online posts can have long-lasting effects on your reputation.

Cyber bullies use various platforms to harass or humiliate others.

Cyber bullying can lead to severe real-world consequences.

Secure online shopping requires checking for 'https' and a lock icon.

Phishing scams often start with emails pretending to be from financial institutions.

Deleting suspicious emails is the best course of action.

Cyber bullies are often younger and hide behind a computer.

Ignoring cyber bullies is generally the best response.

Meeting online acquaintances in person can be dangerous.

If meeting online acquaintances, choose public places with others present.

Exercise caution and common sense for safe internet use.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Music]

if you travel around any large city

you'll probably find a rich variety of

neighborhoods some may have expensive

homes on Treeline streets others may be

nice but not quite so exclusive still

others may be extremely

dangerous places you undoubtedly would

never want to visit the internet at

least in one respect is a lot like those

ities While most websites like most

neighborhoods are perfectly fine others

are online locations you would be well

advised to avoid some of these so-called

bad neighborhood sites may make

unrealistic claims to entice you into

making an unwise

[Music]

purchase or their content may be illegal

or immoral or their sole purpose may be

to steal your personal information such

as as Social Security and credit card

numbers we'll discuss these sites in

more detail in a few minutes some other

bad neighborhood websites may contain

completely outrageous and unreliable

information or may be placed online to

obtain your email address in order to

barrage you later with scores of

unwanted emails that try to sell you

something

[Music]

some websites are safe but only if you

follow some precautions social network

sites are notable examples if you're one

of the millions of people who visit a

social network site each day you know

that they're a great way to keep track

of

Friends make

plans share your

thoughts and perhaps make some new

friends but there can be a side because

what you see on your monitor it's in

cyberspace after all doesn't necessarily

reflect what's in the real world in fact

some news accounts have reported that a

major social network site uncovered some

29,000 criminals some extremely

dangerous who disguise their true

identity to Target victims most of these

criminals are expert Liars who know how

to cultivate your trust so clearly some

cautionary action is in order first

you'll want to limit access to your page

to weed out undesirable individuals that

means choosing a site that allows you to

control who can see your page and your

information now a few cautionary words

if and when you post a blog use a chat

room or send an instant message or email

to an online

acquaintance never reveal your last name

address phone number usernames or

passwords also it's just common sense to

post only information that you're

comfortable having others see because

after all in the online world it's easy

to spread personal information far and

wide to a worldwide audience that

potentially numbers in the millions

you'll want to keep in mind that

postings including those that may seem

funny at the time can last for years

years decades or even longer because

they can be downloaded saved and then

resent in the future to family members

including parents Teachers College

admissions officials possible employers

and even the police so think hard before

posting anything that could be

embarrassing or harmful to you both now

and in years to come keep in mind too

that your online words and pictures may

be accessible to IND individuals whose

intentions are far less than honorable

thus an I am screen name chat room

handle or blog ID that gives too many

clues about your identity May pose some

serious risks if any of your handles are

too revealing here's an important safety

tip seriously consider changing them

because a clever felon might be able to

figure out your full name and more after

reading a few of your emails or blog

posts for instance after digging around

on the net he could decipher this screen

name as Lily mandelli age 14 at

Westfield bidd school if Lily posts some

pictures of herself on her Social

Network website or blog or if she emails

her picture to a person she's met in a

chat room or texted in an IM session

Lily may be placing herself in Mortal

danger that's right mortal danger police

reports are full of examples of Vic who

were stalked by an individual they had

met online and then foolishly emailed

their picture to that

[Music]

person now a few more safety tips before

we move on first if anyone sends you an

instant message or email that discusses

private matters that make you feel

uncomfortable it's time to end the

conversation or correspondence and then

tell an adult such as a parent about it

next if an online acquaintance asks you

to call him or her on the phone it could

be dangerous to do so because your phone

number can be displayed on caller ID

then using an online reverse phone

number service a criminal can easily

track down your family's name and

address finally it's not a good idea to

meet an online acquaintance in person

however if you do never meet him or her

in an out ofthe way Place such as a

forest preserve or a deserted house no

matter what he or she says in fact any

suggestion to meet in an uninhabited

place should immediately raise a red

flag if you do meet it should be where

there are lots of people around an

outside mall during the day would be a

good choice and always bring along

someone a friend or preferably a parent

if it's a friend tell someone else where

you're going and when you plan to return

but again as a general rule it's best to

keep an online buddy as a cyberspace

friend now let's turn our attention to

online shopping if your parents let you

shop with their credit card to make

online purchases you'll need to make

certain that their credit card

information isn't stolen one of the best

ways to do do that is when you're

checking out look at the website address

bar at the top of your browser's page

the address should start with the

letters

https instead of merely

HTTP the s means the site is secured

with special software that makes it very

difficult to steal any information a

browser generated lock icon on most

checkout Pages normally means the same

thing however some criminal programmers

have been able to forge the s and the

lock icon so you'll need to do more to

be certain your credit card information

is kept

safe first you should make sure that the

site is part of a well-known retailer a

company that has a street address not

just a post office box in addition the

company's phone number should be posted

in case the merchandise gets lost in

transit or arrives broken next check to

see that the online store has a clearly

stated return and refund policy

finally you should use only browsers

such as Internet Explorer Firefox Opera

and Netscape or Internet providers if

possible that verify that you're going

to a safe website if you don't take all

these precautions there's a better than

average chance that you'll never get

what you ordered where's my Stu and your

parents credit card information will

wind up in the hands of a criminal scam

artist who applies his trade online

some internet criminals specialize in

another kind of scam they send so-called

fishing emails to unsuspecting victims

to steal Social Security numbers credit

card information and other private data

that allow them to walk off with their

victim's money and personal identities

more often than not fishing schemes

start with emails that claim that a bank

or other financial institution has lost

information on your or your parents

account they also contain statements

that urgently implore you to act

immediately they generally have a link

that's supposed to be a legitimate

website that will clear up the problem

but the site is fake although it may

look like the real thing it often asks

for names on the account Social Security

and account numbers passwords as well as

usernames birth dates and so on so if

you ever get an email like this the best

thing for you to do is

delete

it while some people use the internet

for criminal activities others may go

online to humiliate or harass classmates

or acquaintances as you probably know

they're called cyber bullies cyber

bullies May create blogs website guest

books IM postings and even cell phone

pictures and text messages to spread

lies transmit threats or send other

hurtful

communication sometimes cyber Bullies

Are retaliating for something that's

happened offline usually at school often

they don't realize the full consequences

of what they're doing similarly some

people may think that making fun of

others or spreading rumors about them

online is entertaining and won't have

any real world

significance but they're wrong although

rare some cyber bully events have

resulted in

suicides serious

assaults

murder and school

expulsions a number of State

legislatures have now passed laws that

make some forms of cyber bullying

criminal acts other states are

considering similar legislation so

clearly cyber bullying is not all fun in

games moreover it's immature po most

cyber Bullies Are between 9 and 14 years

old according to the latest research

it's rare for older teens to be cyber

bullies they've outgrown the childish

behavior that entails hiding behind a

computer so what should you do if

somebody cyber bullies you most experts

say that as a general rule you should

ignore it difficult as that may be if

it's an email block the sender do the

same if it's a a message on your social

network site if there's a serious threat

in a cyber bully note talk to a parent

or parents a school counselor or call

the police difficult as that may

[Music]

be the internet then can be a great

place to learn communicate with friends

and acquaintances and buy your favorite

music or videos or an unlimited array of

other items you undoubtedly already know

that regrettably however the internet is

also a place where undesirable and

sometimes dangerous people may hang out

but if you follow a few safety rules you

can save yourself a lot of grief and

perhaps even your life if you want a

social network page place it on a site

that allows you to control who can see

it never tell an online acquaintance

your last name address phone number

number usernames or

passwords post only information that you

feel comfortable with others seeing

remember that it's generally not a good

idea to meet an online acquaintance in

person but if you do make sure there are

lots of people around during the day and

in a public place and bring along a

friend or parent be sure your chat room

and IM screen names don't give away your

identity be aware of fishing scheme

finally remember that it's best to

merely ignore cyber bullies but if a

cyber bully posts a serious threat tell

an adult about it in short you can have

fun shop and learn a lot on the internet

if you just exercise a little Common

Sense

[Music]

caution true or false when targeting

victims dangerous criminals disguise

their Identity On social network

sites three online precautions you can

take to keep dangerous persons from

learning your name and where you live

are

and online postings can last for a years

B decades or more C both a and

B true or false as a precaution you

should make sure your chat room handle

or IM screen name makes it easy to

determine your real

name what was Lily Mandel's

mistake why should you never tell your

phone number to to an online

acquaintance fill in the blanks if you

meet an online acquaintance the meeting

should take place where there

are and you should bring along

a

or an important safety precaution you

can take when buying something online

and are on the checkout page is

a look for https in the browser address

B look for a lock icon C both A and

B true or false fishing scams Target

people who eat fish

regularly fill in the blanks if a cber

bully message contains a threat you

should and

perhaps e