This week I had a close call with my computer. For some reason, I forgot to put my VPN (a virtual private network) on after I had turned it off to check something online. As I continued to work on my computer, a warning flashed on my screen, and a voice told me not to close the screen or turn off my laptop but to call the number on the screen so that my computer would not be hacked.
Instantly, chills went up my spine. Scared and not tech knowledgeable, I needed help deciding how to proceed. Luckily, my husband is computer savvy, and we were able to google the incident and other potential victims told how they remedied the situation.
I believe the internet and online browsing have become a playground for scammers and thieves trying to con us into giving them money – posing as legitimate help.
About ten years ago, my aunt received a call from supposedly a police officer in Mexico who falsely claimed they had her granddaughter in jail for possession of drugs, and they needed $1,500 immediately to be sent via Western Union to release her. They even had a young woman talk to my aunt, who sounded like her. My aunt immediately went to Western Union and wired the money. Later that week, my aunt asked her daughter if the granddaughter had been in Mexico. Her daughter said no. This same technique was used on a friend of mine in Montana.
My tolerance for predators of senior citizens and children is zero. These scammers are the worst kind.
With more information at their fingertips than ever before, kids are a significant target for these identity thieves. Virtual learning has tablets, laptops, and smartphones as common as television, and they aren’t disappearing anytime soon. This fact is why parents should be talking about internet safety constantly. The challenge of our connected world is to be smarter than the bad guys.
Below are safety tips for the whole family to know, so be sure to have a conversation with the entire family.
- Understand the dangers of the internet. It’s important to discuss all the wrong places you can find online.
- Never disclose your private information to someone you don’t know. This information can be used to hurt you.
- All strangers can be potentially dangerous. Kids should notify an adult if someone they don’t know tries to contact them.
- Be aware of phishing scams. We all know not to click on a URL from a friend or our bank.
- Create strong passwords. Never use the same password for all websites.
- Keep your social media accounts safe. If someone contacts you and it has been a while, be suspicious. You find this type of hack, especially on Facebook.
- Be careful what you post on social media accounts. The hackers are constantly watching for someone to mess up. Never share your driver’s license number, travel itinerary, or other personal information.
- Only shop at secure internet websites. The website should have HTTPS and a picture of a padlock in front of its address to show it is secure.
- Keep the privacy settings on.
- Be careful what you download. Common malware could look like pop-up windows and strange ads, a sudden lack of storage space, or a sluggish computer. Downloading and running security software can help defend your computer.
I hope these tips assist you and your family in staying out of harm’s way online.
Websites to assist you:
- https://www.safewise.com/resources/internet-safety-kids/
- https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/keeping-children-safe-online
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html
All my best,
Julie
Throw Kindness Around Like Confetti