Present Your Father With The Gift Of Savvy This Father’s Day

Present Your Father With The Gift Of Savvy This Father’s Day By Effendy Ibrahim, Internet Safety Advocate & Director, Asia, Norton by Symantec

Have your parents ever confused LOL (laugh out loud) with “lots of love”? Do they understand that you will “be right back” when you write BRB? Do you have to explain that you didn’t misspell roll when you were really “rolling on the floor with laughter” (ROFL)?

In addition to mastering the lingo of social networking sites, many parents face more serious challenges when entering the online world. According to Cyber Security Malaysia1, 9986 Malaysians were identified as victims of cybercrime in 2012. As vulnerable newbies, parents need help negotiating the Internet so they don’t fall victim to the enticing and confusing scams hidden in unsolicited email. (According to Symantec’s latest Internet Security Threat Report, the estimated volume of spam in 2012 was 30 billion spam emails per day globally.)

To help parents protect themselves, this Father’s Day, Norton is encouraging children to give their fathers the “Gift of Savvy.”

Technology is constantly evolving, which is great; however, staying up to speed on the latest online developments can be challenging. Children can help their parents safeguard their online identity and shop safely.

The following tips help children give the “Gift of Savvy” this Father’s Day.

Top Tips for Online Safety

• When you are out and about this Father’s Day, be cautious on public Wi-Fi networks. Tempting as it may be to purchase a product over a public Wi-Fi network, these hotspots can be virtual playgrounds for cybercriminals. Instead, use a personal VPN or wait until you’re on a protected network before purchasing anything online or logging on to your bank website.

• Be surprised by your Father’s Day gift – not spam’s hidden threats. Not all spam is harmless; some carries viruses and other malicious threats that may harm your computer. With holiday headlines like “Insane Cyber Monday Deals: 80 percent off!” or even more subtle but seasonal captions like “Information about your shipped package!,” you may be tempted to click, but you’d be wise to junk the message instead. Always be cautious of any emails that you receive from unknown recipients or that seem just a bit too generous. Spammers are constantly improving the appeal of their messages to trick victims into revealing personal information, passwords, credit card details and bank credentials.

• If you’re lucky enough to be given a new mobile device this Father’s Day, take your security to go. Threats on mobile devices are on the rise and becoming increasingly sophisticated. Many mobile apps now feature unwanted, aggressive advertising known as “madware” or mobile adware. A security solution like Norton 360 Multi-Device and adware tool for your smartphones, tablets, laptops and home computers will keep you protected, whether you’re shopping at home or on the move.

• Keep information close to your chest – it’s like cash for cybercriminals. Don’t make their job easier by revealing too much (for example, vacation plans) on a social networking profile or other online venue and make sure you understand – and are using – all available privacy protection. Even web pages meant for the guidance and protection of customers have been mimicked by phishers to trick people into handing over personal information.

• Create complex passwords that are hard to guess and change them regularly. Also use different usernames and passwords for each online account: If one account is compromised, cybercriminals won’t be able to gain access to the others.

• Search for signs of approval. Trust marks, such as the Norton Secured Seal, show the retailer has been verified and the site is likely free from malware. Also, look for HTTPS and the color green in your browser address bar before entering your personal information.

• On social networks, choose applications carefully. Each application (games, surveys, quizzes and contests) is made differently, but all get some level of access to your private information. Read the agreement before clicking “Accept.” The manufacturer of your application may assert rights you wouldn’t want to allow, such as access to your friend list. If you’ve accepted questionable applications in the past, you can remove or edit their rights in your Account Settings.

• Beware of unknown links. In the cybercrime of click-jacking, users who click on a planted link are automatically redirected to a website containing bogus offers. Dangerous websites feature tempting phrases like “This is the funniest video EVER!” Before you click an unfamiliar link, run the free Norton Safe Web application on Facebook to check it. And be suspicious of posts from friends that seem out of character.