Do your children want to use your computer? Better yet: do your children have their own computers? If your children have Internet access, you need to be involved, and in a big way. Privacy should not exist in your home as it relates to Internet usage.
In corporate America, there are many compliance laws and regulations that companies must abide by. In order for corporations to satisfy many of these, they make smart technology choices to identify, monitor, manage, and track to the regulations and laws. They also implement sound processes and hire smart people to run the programs.
Where their once was autonomy, now there is oversight. The same principles should apply in your home.
So, now that I am off of my soapbox, let's talk about a few ways that you, as parents, can help ensure a happy and safe clicking environment for your children.
1) Talk to your children about the dangers of being online. They will understand it more clearly if you let them know what the dangers are. I actually printed a few recent news feeds about some of the tragic stories. It hit home.
2) Set the proper expectations right from the start. This can include the times your children are/ are not allowed to be online, what they can do, who they can interact with, and where they need to surf. If using a desktop, place it in a common area. If using a laptop, set rules. Try posting a schedule with reminders if necessary. I told my children that as their father, I reserve the right to check up on them every day, or never, but I had the right.
3) Now that the process part is out of the way, let's just assume a fat-finger while researching saxophones from www.sax.com might lead them astray. You may be able to set some parental controls within your browser. For example, 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.
There are other resources you can use to control and/or monitor your child's online activity. Some ISPs offer services designed to protect children online. Contact your ISP to see if any of these services are available. There are also special software programs you can install on your computer. Different programs offer different features and capabilities, so you can find one that best suits your needs. The following web sites offer lists of software, as well as other useful information about protecting children online:
* GetNetWise - Click Tools for Families to reach a page that allows you to search for software based on characteristics like what the tool does and what operating system you have on your computer.
* Yahooligans! Parents' Guide- Click Blocking and Filtering under Related Websites on the left sidebar to reach a list of software.
4) Set your children up with the sites you want them to visit. The web has thousands of kid friendly, educational sites. A simple Google search will help you find them. Save them as favorites for your children to help them. I love this site for my kids!
5) Lastly, downloading a keylogger is an option. I have done this and it allows me to monitor the conversations that my children are having, and more importantly, with whom.
Keep 'em safe, folks.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Harden your systems, people
So, you want to surf the big, bad www. You want to browse from site to site, click, read, buy, but yet do you have any idea how you may be compromising the confidentiality or integrity of your system or personal information? You don't have to be a security guru to safely surf.
I could go into the minutiae of what malware is, or a phishing attack, or Botnet's, but you can email me if you would like more info on these or other subjects. Here is a Dummies guide to safe computing for the layman (for MS).
1) If malware (malicious software) was a parasite, then faulty software would be the host. Enable Microsoft's auto-update feature to ensure all of you MS apps and OS are up to date. If you have non-MS applications on your system, you will want to make sure these are updated as well. Steps to do this are here.
2) Make sure you have your system firewall on and commercial anti-virus program on your system (Trend, Norton, etc). Don't forget to update it weekly. Firewall here. Trend. Norton.
3) Install a program that can detect registry changes and unwanted programs (Spybot Search and Destroy is a good one) that are installed on your computer.
4) System cleaners are good for keeping your systems clean (Window Washer is a good option) and all of your personal information just that.
5) Set the above to auto-run.
6) Never download and run any executable (.exe) unless you are certain what it is.
7) Don't open email from anyone you do not know. Bad things can be automatically loaded on your system, and email is a popular vector for malware. Mark them as SPAM.
8) Never, ever send any confidential information over email or the web, even if you think it is legit. If you are asked for ANY personal information via email or any web page (link in an email), call the company and speak to a customer service representative.
9) Lastly, if you shop via the web, I implore you to sign up for a credit monitoring service (Identityguard.com is my favorite) and monitor your credit card statements thoroughly.
Have fun!
I could go into the minutiae of what malware is, or a phishing attack, or Botnet's, but you can email me if you would like more info on these or other subjects. Here is a Dummies guide to safe computing for the layman (for MS).
1) If malware (malicious software) was a parasite, then faulty software would be the host. Enable Microsoft's auto-update feature to ensure all of you MS apps and OS are up to date. If you have non-MS applications on your system, you will want to make sure these are updated as well. Steps to do this are here.
2) Make sure you have your system firewall on and commercial anti-virus program on your system (Trend, Norton, etc). Don't forget to update it weekly. Firewall here. Trend. Norton.
3) Install a program that can detect registry changes and unwanted programs (Spybot Search and Destroy is a good one) that are installed on your computer.
4) System cleaners are good for keeping your systems clean (Window Washer is a good option) and all of your personal information just that.
5) Set the above to auto-run.
6) Never download and run any executable (.exe) unless you are certain what it is.
7) Don't open email from anyone you do not know. Bad things can be automatically loaded on your system, and email is a popular vector for malware. Mark them as SPAM.
8) Never, ever send any confidential information over email or the web, even if you think it is legit. If you are asked for ANY personal information via email or any web page (link in an email), call the company and speak to a customer service representative.
9) Lastly, if you shop via the web, I implore you to sign up for a credit monitoring service (Identityguard.com is my favorite) and monitor your credit card statements thoroughly.
Have fun!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Talk to them
I guess I had forgotten. It did happen to me, but I turned out okay, right? All it took was a trip to Target to have it all come rushing back to me.
There I was, looking at greeting cards, or crock pots, or woman's lingerie, and I heard it: The sound of a mom struggling with a very unhappy child. Ah, now I am interested. This train will either stay on the track or it will derail in a fiery crash. I am all in.
Maybe it was the white walls, or the smell of spandex, but there I was- 8 years old with my mom at the local K Mart. She was buying paint. One of her favorite things to use when I misbehaved (don't feel sorry for me, I deserved most of them) was the plastic paint stirrers you received as a parting gift for buying the paint. One of those across the back of the leg- OUCH! So, who can blame me for getting chills when the nice man at the counter asked my mom, "would you like a paint stirrer?" and she replied, while looking at me out of the corner of her eyes, "I will take two."
Wow, I need a moment.
Okay, so where was I? Oh, yeah, Target.
So, I am listening intently to see how this mother of this seemingly normal, though very upset, 5 or 6 year old boy will handle this situation. I did not catch the front end, but he clearly wanted to go somewhere after Target that his mom does not agree with. I was listening for the way she would summons all of her motherly instincts to make her son feel loved and his opinion valued, while still parenting. I was waiting for the way she comfort him as he is crying (not hysterical, just sad). I was waiting to see how she will teach him problem solving and communication skills without him even knowing it. I was waiting....
"Because I said so!" and whoosh, she plucked him out of the cart and out of the store they went. Mom led, his right arm a close second, and the rest of him soon after.
I am not a perfect parent, but c'mon people, talk to your kids. You are the parent for sure, but bring them into the situation, let them tell you how they feel, teach them to think of alternatives, articulate their positions, think of concessions they could make...you get the picture.
I got the "because I said so" when I was a kid. Hated it then, hate it now. When I heard it, I remember being demoralized- like I had no voice, or worse, the one I had was never heard.
Talk to you kids. Offer explanations, make them feel loved, important, and give them the foundation they will need to communicate. In an age where txt messages replace love letters, and emails replace actual discussions, take the time to teach them the age old practice of communication. It is never too early. They learn from us. Set the right examples for them and watch them amaze you.
There I was, looking at greeting cards, or crock pots, or woman's lingerie, and I heard it: The sound of a mom struggling with a very unhappy child. Ah, now I am interested. This train will either stay on the track or it will derail
Maybe it was the white walls, or the smell of spandex, but there I was- 8 years old with my mom at the local K Mart. She was buying paint. One of her favorite things to use when I misbehaved (don't feel sorry for me, I deserved most of them) was the plastic paint stirrers you received as a parting gift for buying the paint. One of those across the back of the leg- OUCH! So, who can blame me for getting chills when the nice man at the counter asked my mom, "would you like a paint stirrer?" and she replied, while looking at me out of the corner of her eyes, "I will take two."
Wow, I need a moment.
Okay, so where was I? Oh, yeah, Target.
So, I am listening intently to see how this mother of this seemingly normal, though very upset, 5 or 6 year old boy will handle this situation. I did not catch the front end, but he clearly wanted to go somewhere after Target that his mom does not agree with. I was listening for the way she would summons all of her motherly instincts to make her son feel loved and his opinion valued, while still parenting. I was waiting for the way she comfort him as he is crying (not hysterical, just sad). I was waiting to see how she will teach him problem solving and communication skills without him even knowing it. I was waiting....
"Because I said so!" and whoosh, she plucked him out of the cart and out of the store they went. Mom led, his right arm a close second, and the rest of him soon after.
I am not a perfect parent, but c'mon people, talk to your kids. You are the parent for sure, but bring them into the situation, let them tell you how they feel, teach them to think of alternatives, articulate their positions, think of concessions they could make...you get the picture.
I got the "because I said so" when I was a kid. Hated it then, hate it now. When I heard it, I remember being demoralized- like I had no voice, or worse, the one I had was never heard.
Talk to you kids. Offer explanations, make them feel loved, important, and give them the foundation they will need to communicate. In an age where txt messages replace love letters, and emails replace actual discussions, take the time to teach them the age old practice of communication. It is never too early. They learn from us. Set the right examples for them and watch them amaze you.
Travolta
Well, I must say, I am not a John Travolta fan. I used to be...I mean back in the day when he and pals Washington, Freddie "Boom-Boom" and Horshack paraded around the halls of James Buchanan High. With cerebral catchphrases like "up you nose with a rubber hose", what's not to like about Vinnie Barbarino. Welcome Back, Kotter was a perfect show for him. Next to Kotter, it's Look Who's Talking, and that's because that is all Travolta is doing: talking. ( Scratch that. Insert Pulp Fiction.)
I am sorry, I just cannot take him seriously. Jet planes in your driveway and Scientology- need I say more?
My heart does, however, go out to he and his family for the loss of their son, Jett. This is every parents worse nightmare. As a father of three, (12,8, 5 mos)I can tell you that rarely does a day go bye that I don't pray to see my children outlive me. Everything you do to ensure they have the best of everything to tragically bury them at 16.
I am not sure about the whole "Kawasaki" syndrome thing; seems as if they self diagnosed, but I cannot be certain. Regardless, it is a sad day for their family and friends.
Note to John: Please don't turn this into a publicity opportunity. I am sure Larry King will come-a-callin...let it go to voice mail. I hope you let this private family event stay just that: Private.
I am sorry, I just cannot take him seriously. Jet planes in your driveway and Scientology- need I say more?
My heart does, however, go out to he and his family for the loss of their son, Jett. This is every parents worse nightmare. As a father of three, (12,8, 5 mos)I can tell you that rarely does a day go bye that I don't pray to see my children outlive me. Everything you do to ensure they have the best of everything to tragically bury them at 16.
I am not sure about the whole "Kawasaki" syndrome thing; seems as if they self diagnosed, but I cannot be certain. Regardless, it is a sad day for their family and friends.
Note to John: Please don't turn this into a publicity opportunity. I am sure Larry King will come-a-callin...let it go to voice mail. I hope you let this private family event stay just that: Private.
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