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If you know what to look out for, your online experiences will be trouble-free. Using the same caution you use out in public, you can protect yourself and your personal information.
A scam is when a product or opportunity is made to look real, but it is actually designed to take your money or personal information without giving you anything in return.
Online criminals can try to steal your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank details, so they can pretend to be you and take money. This could cause you harm without you knowing right away.
It's important to be careful with messages from people you don’t know online, especially if they ask you for personal information or money. Always check to make sure the person is who they say they are or you are submitting information to a secure and/or trusted source.
Learn more about how to prevent identity theft by visiting the Identity Theft Resource Center.
“Phishing” is when someone sends you a message or email pretending to be someone they are not. They do this to gain access to your money or personal information. Pay attention to strange messages or emails that contain links or attachments.
Fake Email Example:
Here are a few signs a message might be a junk email:
How to tell if a link in an email is safe
What to do if it’s junk email
Why you should avoid following links from people you don’t know
Untrustworthy websites may try to download programs on your computer called “viruses.”
What are computer viruses?
Viruses are harmful programs that track what you do on the computer so they can access your information. Often, these will also slow down your computer.
What to do if you click an unsafe link
Clicking an unsafe link doesn’t guarantee that you will get a virus, but the risk is still there, and there’s no good reason to be on an unsafe site. If you do click an unsafe link and are concerned about your security, here's what you can do:
Dishonest online stores may offer to sell you items at a very low price. If you purchase something on a fake website, they will likely send you nothing in return. Make sure you know you are buying from a trusted company and website. You can do that by looking for several things:
This is when a stranger pretends to work in technical support. They may pretend to work for the company that made your computer or where you purchased your computer from. They may tell you your computer has an issue and then ask for access to your computer or payment to fix your computer. When they get access to your computer, they will use that as an opportunity to access your information like passwords, personal information, and more.
Tech Support Scam Example:
A website cannot tell you if your computer has a virus
If the message came from a website you are visiting and it tells you that your computer is broken, it’s likely not true. Websites generally cannot tell if your computer is broken. If your computer is having issues, you will be able to tell if it stops working or slows down.
Real companies will not ask for payment in gift cards
Real companies that specialize in tech support accept credit cards. If they only accept gift cards as a way of payment, it’s likely not trustworthy. Using these forms of payment tells you that they do not want to be tracked.
Computer companies will not call you or message you first
If you get a phone call or email that you did not ask for, it is most likely not a technical support company. In the same way that a plumber will not show up to your house without you calling them first for help, companies will only call or email you if you message them asking for help first. They do not watch your computer and cannot know if you are having a problem. If you need computer repairs, you should reach out to the computer company directly or use a trusted source. This is true for most internet scams.
What to do if your computer is having problems
Because the internet is such a large part of daily life now, having issues with your computer can be a big problem. Luckily, there are lots of people out there who can help fix your computer.
Signs it is a fake internet romance
If you get a message from someone who tells you that you’ve won the lottery or a prize, but to claim it, you need to pay or provide personal information, it is likely not true. Online criminals do this so they can use your information in harmful ways.
Prize Scam Example:
Signs the contest is not real
What to do if you get a junk contest email
Like all forms of scams on the internet, the best thing to do is to delete the message and avoid clicking any links or downloading anything.
Knowing about internet safety and different types of risks is important to keep your children safe online. Informing your children about risks and knowing how to manage their device’s security controls can make all the difference in their online experience.
Because technology evolves quickly, it can be easy to be overwhelmed and feel like you’re not caught up on the latest information. There are many resources and free courses made available in Minneapolis through Northside Tech, which you can learn more about here.
Many experts recommend teaching children about the risks of sharing their information online and the importance of protecting their privacy. While the concerns and dangers of the internet are real, there is an opportunity for your child to learn and choose safe options. You should start using parental controls and teaching your children about internet safety as soon as they begin using the internet.
Parental controls are a type of security system that uses settings on your computer or phone to help you control what your children see online. Set up parental controls on devices and internet browsers to avoid bad content being shown to your child.
Using parental control software and applications allows you to see your child's online activities and set limits. Common Sense Media offers information on options and resources for managing children's screen time.
How to turn on parental controls
Many devices come with free parental controls that you can turn on through settings.
Parental controls can allow you to see what your child is doing on the internet so you can monitor them closely.
They can limit children’s screen time.
These controls can block specific apps and websites that could have inappropriate content for children, such as nudity, violence, and explicit language.
Think of parental controls as an assistant
While it is highly recommended that you use parental controls if your children use the internet, they can’t block all bad content, so it’s important that you continue to watch them even if there are parental controls.
There are many ways around parental controls that children can accidentally find ways around parental controls. If they play video games on the internet, people can send them messages and talk to them. That makes it important for you to talk to your children about what they do on the internet and encourage them to use the same caution they would with a stranger on the street.
The internet is a large part of life in today’s world, so it’s important to talk to your children about what they do online the same way you ask them about their day at school. They should feel comfortable telling you about what they do on the internet and asking you questions when they are unsure of things.
Encourage your children to use the same caution they use out in the real world when using the internet.
Check on your child's online activities regularly and consider keeping computers and phones in areas of your home where you can easily keep an eye on their online behavior, in addition to parental controls. The internet is much like a public space, and you should watch them the same way you would if they were playing at a playground. Some situations might need support from an adult or guardian.
Just like we lock our doors to keep our homes safe, being careful online helps keep our personal information and money secure. It’s important to be careful and avoid sharing important details like passwords or credit card numbers unless you’re sure it stays private.