Security Issues Online
From ElateWiki
Students who are going online for the first time may not be aware of some of the security issues that exist online. The following is an incomplete list of some security concerns.
Contents |
Log-in Identities
A student's electronic identification is his / hers alone...no one else's. This identity and password should not be shared with anyone--not friends, not spouses, and not even IT professionals who will be helping them. (IT professionals have back-end ways of getting into systems that leaves a more proper electronic trail.)
Anti-Virus Software
To stay healthy, students should have state-of-the-art anti-virus software that has passed the test of effectiveness (C/NET and other companies have methods for software evaluation and user feedback.) and business prowess and customer service. This software should be updated whenever updates come through. Anti-virus software has to continually keep up with a range of risks, so timely updates are critical. Users who ignore these update warnings are asking for trouble.
Email Exchanges
Students should not click on or open unfamiliar e-mails, particularly those with attachments. They may include all kinds of dangerous executable code that steals information or hijacks the computer to store illicit images or takes over the email account to send out spam.
Wifi Connectivity
It is not a good idea to send passwords via public wireless connections...or peer-to-peer wireless hosted by other computers...as that information may be easily captured by third parties.
Internet Cafes
Some Internet cafes and even hotel business centers are corrupted, and they are infected with "key loggers" that record the keystrokes of all who use the particular computer. This means that every word, number, or combination that is typed into the keyboard may be logged and available to a third party. Such public sites are good for general surfing, but for online banking and other financial transactions, it would be a better idea to go with connected computer systems that are more stable and safer. Those who feel that they may have compromised any financial information should contact their banks or credit card companies right away...and change any passwords of their online identities and systems.
Avoiding Malware
"Trojan horses" are code ride-alongs on downloadable files that slip unwanted functionalities into a computer of an unsuspecting user. People will download plenty of contents to their computers from sites that do not vet for malware. McAfee's recent research into the riskiest terms on the WWW identified the ten following ones as those of highest concern:
"word unscrambler, lyrics, myspace, free music downloads, phelps, game cheats, printable fill-in puzzles, free ringtones and solitaire"
Sometimes, visiting a tainted site is sufficient for a computer to get infected.
This same research found that the categories that had the highest risks of with malware include: "screen savers, free games, work from home, Olympics, videos, celebrities, music and news." (http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/06/10/Internet.search.terms/index.html?eref=ib_topstories)
Protecting Intellectual Property
Students are owners of what they create in their courses, generally. They have a vested interest in making sure that other people (students or faculty) do not take their work as their own. It may help to be aware of IP rights and how to protect those, depending on the circumstances.
This issue gets more complicated when university students are conducting funded research in a lab setting, in which case, the IP may belong fully or in part to the university.
3D Immersive and Persistent Spaces
Other security issues relate to mediated experiences in immersive and persistent virtual worlds. Here, griefers may offer "digital graffiti" and swipe code in spaces that are not "locked down." There may be issues of harassment or offensive behaviors / language.
And Others
The changing face of security means that this entry will likely continually change. Being aware of some of the risks and taking smart actions to head off some of these risks is a good idea.
See Also
McAfee's "The Web's Most Dangerous Search Terms": http://us.mcafee.com/en-us/local/docs/most_dangerous_searchterm_us.pdf