What is online safety?
Taking precautions to stay safe while using the internet.
What are the different types of online dangers?
- Malware
- Phishing
- Unsavoury characters
- Cyberbullying
What is Malware short for?
Malicious software
What is Malware?
The programs that install and run on your computer without your knowledge or consent.
How do computers get infected by malware?
Malware is often downloaded from email attachments or websites that are not properly protected. Some websites are also designed to trick you into downloading and installing malware.
What happens once the malware is installed?
Malware usually (but not always) causes harm to the computer or user by deleting data or gaining access to personal information.
What are the types of malware?
- Viruses
- Spyware
- Zombies
- Trojans
(5. Rootkits - Worms
- Crimeware
- Adware)
What is a virus?
A type of malware designed to copy itself and spread to other computers via email attachments sent from the infected computer.
What is spyware?
A type of malware that spies on user’s activities, usually to steal financial details and passwords.
How to rid a computer of malware?
- Anti-virus software
- Firewall
- Showing caution
How to show caution to avoid malware?
- Not opening emails from senders we do not recognise and delete such emails.
- Not installing programs downloaded illegally using file-sharing tools and websites containing malware.
How does an anti-virus software work?
It scans the computer for known malware. If it finds malware, it safely removes it.
How to keep anti-virus software effective?
The software must be regularly updated so recognises and removes as many forms of malware as possible.
What is a firewall?
A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that monitors communications coming in from and going out to the internet.
How do firewalls work?
It looks for unauthorised communications from malware. Any such connections are blocked by the firewall, preventing the malware from completing its task.
What is phishing?
A type of online danger where someone you don’t know pretends to be someone you know and sends you emails. These emails are designed to trick you into giving away personal information, such as your usernames and passwords.
How do I spot phishing emails?
They often contain spelling or grammatical errors.
What to do to stay safe from phishing?
- Delete the phishing emails
- Do not follow any links contained in the email.
- Go to the website the email is supposed to be from and try to log in there
Who are unsavoury characters?
Offensive people who try and hurt you for fun or to try and harm you through trolling, theft or cyberbullying.
What is trolling?
The term given to people who visit other people’s social media accounts and leave distasteful messages
What is cyberbullying?
The bullying of another person using the internet, mobile phones or other digital messages with the aim of hurting the victim.
What are the forms of cyberbullying?
- Posts on forums
- Posts on social media.
- Text messages
- Emails
Why does cyberbullying happen?
Some people do it to make money, behave badly in a situation where they think no one can identify them or with the intent to harm others.
How do I stay safe from unsavoury characters and cyberbullying?
- Stay in control of your personal information given out.
- Never disclose important details such as name, telephone number, address or school.
- Never accept someone as a friend on social media simply because they claim to know another friend of yours.
- Always be cautious about what you say online.
- Never agree to meet anyone in person that you’ve only known online.
- if somebody does start sending you messages that offend or upset you, tell an adult you trust.
