Tips for Internet Safety

TIPS ON INTERNET
SAFETY

CRIMES COMMITTED THROUGH THE INTERNET

Identity Theft
Credit Card Fraud
Harassment
Cyber Stalking

Cyber Bullying

Obscenity Toward Children
Child Pornography
Enticement of Children for Sexual Conduct

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Change your passwords frequently.

Use a combination of letters and numbers for your passwords.

Don’t leave your password in pain sight.

Don’t use the same password for everything

Don’t give anyone your password including
anyone who represents a company or bank.

Use virus protection and update frequently.

Check and clean your computer frequently for spyware.

Secure your wireless connection.

ADULTS AND THE INTERNET

Don’t give out personal information, address, or telephone numbers to someone you meet over the Internet.

If meeting in person someone you have met over the Internet meet at a public place and take a friend.

Delete e-mail from unknown sources.

Be cautious about posting personal information in an Internet profile including pictures of yourself and children.

CHILDREN AND THE INTERNET

Have specific rules for children regarding the use of the Internet.

Keep the computer in an area where adults can observe their activity such as the living room or kitchen and not in a child’s bedroom.

Know where your children are going on the Internet and who they are chatting with or exchanging e-mail.

Talk with your children about the dangers of the Internet and chatting with strangers.

Tell your children not to give out either home or cellular telephone numbers to anyone they meet on the Internet.

May cost a lot of money and time to correct false credit information.

WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT

When someone else uses your personally identifying information without your knowledge or permission to:

Obtain credit cards

Get wireless or phone services

Obtain utility service

Commit many other frauds

CONSEQUENCES OF IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft seldom pays bills for debts incurred under your name.

You may not discover for months or years.

You are then saddled with bad credit report
Due to bad credit report, you may be denied new credit, loans, mortgages, utility service, or employment.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM OF AN INTERNET CRIME.

Call the police immediately but don not tell the suspect you are calling.

Don’t have any other contact with the suspect.

Change all of your passwords.

Save all correspondence you have regarding this incident. Especially anything from the suspect.

INTERNET AND TEXT MESSAGING ACRONYMS

Top 50 Acronyms Ever Parent Needs To Know

Top 50 Most Commonly Used Text Terms

Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force

Serving Boone, Audrain, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, and Randolph Counties