Cyber Squire - Internet Safety and Prevention Program

(A function of the Military Police School.)

 

As a parent, you wouldn’t think of leaving your children alone in a strange neighborhood, allowing them to stroll through an adult book store or let them wander aimlessly on a busy street or highway.   Similarly, no responsible parent would permit their child to have secret meetings with strangers.  

 

In the “old days”, sentry’s at the entrances to our bases provided a barrier to exclude those not suitable for access.  The Internet provides unprecedented access to our children.  It allows those who target children to bypass the gates and guards and in the blink of an eye enter our homes to interact with them, on the other side of their monitor. 

 

The Internet, with all its benefits, presents new dangers to military families.  To assist in this effort, the United States Army Military Police School (USAMPS) has designed Cyber Squire. (Cyber Squire is fully supported by the MPUCA.)

 

“Cyber Squire” is a computer crime prevention initiative by the USAMPS specifically designed to provide on-line and related safety information to local area  children.  The program is also designed to provide support information to parents who may not be aware of some of the concerns, pitfalls, and dangers associated with the Internet.

 

With the possibility of a single parent family, or a dual working parental environment, you might have other things on your mind, especially if working an off hour shift.  In this new and dynamic environment we all need to work together to protect those who need us most.  A bit of prevention is worth a gigabyte of cure.

 

Some Common Internet Terminology

 

· Browser - Software to look at Internet sites.

 

· Bulletin Board - An on-line meeting place to post messages, upload and download files, and exchange information.

 

· Carding - (slang) Obtaining or using illegally obtained credit cards.

 

· Chat - Software that permits real-time communication on the Internet.  It can also be done on commercial sites.  Chatting usually involves nicknames or pseudonyms.

 

· Codez Doodz - (slang) One who finds phone codes and distributes them to the electronic underground.

 

· Cookie - Small amount of data put on your browser from web sites you visit.  This cookie tells the service provider the type of news, and information you are interested in.  It also provides your User ID to the web site.

 

· Crack - (slang) Remove copy protections from commercial software or to “crack” a password using a software program and electronic dictionary.

 

· E-Mail - Electronic message sent from one person to another on the computer.  Most e-mail is capable of sending attachments.

 

· Fake Mail - (slang) Intended to trick recipient into believing it was sent by a person other then the actual sender.

 

· FTP - File Transfer Protocol.  Program to transfer files.

 

· Hacker - (slang) Not necessarily a negative term.  One who learns about computers by trial and error.

 

· Home Page - Another term for Web page.  Usually contains information

 

Internet Safety Tips for Parents

 

· Whenever possible, keep the computer in a common area of your home and not behind closed doors.

 

· YOU decide if your child has the need for access to a modem, the Internet, chat rooms, or use groups.  Participate when you can.

 

· If you are not “computer literate”, LEARN about computers, take a course or two, ask a friend, join a club, or make the time and learn from your child.

 

· Trust your child.  Discuss the dangers and your concerns with them.  Share passwords with them as a safety measure, but respect their privacy until you have a reason not to. 

 

Red Flags for Parents

 

Some warning signs which may indicate cause for concern include:

 

· Your computer and modem running late at night even while unattended.

 

· The use of encryption.

 

· Apparent “addiction” to computer along with a loss of interest in social activities, friends, family, etc. 

 

While this is not a total list, changes in your child’s behavior on the computer should be of concern.

 

Other Information

 

Your challenge as a parent is “How do I handle my child’s Internet access without over-reacting or under-reacting?”  It is a question of balance.  You should know that Law Enforcement responds, on a daily basis, to issues including:

 

Child Pornography - FYI, images depicting the sexual exploitation of children are illegal.  Predators frequently use these images in an attempt to lure children into participating in this type of activity.

 

Unauthorized Disclosure - FYI, while the capability exists to share information quickly, we all need to keep in mind that e-mail is not a secure means of communication.  Any military information including ship and troop deployments should not be communicated by unsecured means or through the Internet.

 

Hacking - FYI, is unauthorized access into a computer network.

 

Harassment/Stalking - FYI, the computer provides access to many people and many sites provide details on people.  No one wants to receive a distressing message from someone they don’t know, and part of this program talks to both how to handle receipt of a message like this and personal responsibilities and liability in sending one.

 

Hate Crimes and Violence - The Internet and World Wide Web provide the opportunity for everyone who has a personal opinion, regardless of content, to spread their message.  Recent tragic events in the U.S. have demonstrated that disturbed individuals use this medium to post their philosophy, and to communicate with those who agree by linking them together through e-mail, chat rooms, or hyperlink.

 

BOTTOM LINE… GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHILDREN ON-LINE!

Cyber Squire