Virus hoaxes prey on people's fear concerning computers. People understand that computers benefit them, and know how to perform certain tasks, but generally lack an understanding of how computer software works. I honestly do not understand why the creators of virus hoax e-mails find satisfaction in fooling the inexperienced.
Sending on a message warning people of a non-existent e-mail is not generally especially damaging, but it can have some negative effects. First, it causes people to misunderstand the nature of viruses and virus warnings. If people rely on receiving mass e-mail from friends about viruses, rather than by using virus scanning software and checking legitimate security websites, they are more likely to get a real computer virus. Secondly, some hoaxes, such as the jdbgmgr.exe hoax, claim that operating system files are viruses and need to be deleted. I haven't come across any hoaxes that call for the removal of any essential system files, but that possibility exists. Finally, they are a waste of bandwidth, space, and time.
Determining the validity of a virus warning e-mail is possible. If the warning comes through e-mail from a friend rather than through a virus scanner or Internet security company, chances are it's a hoax. Several websites, such as Snopes, Synaptic, and McAfee, provide lists of common hoaxes. Remember that just because the message says it has been checked by one of these sources, doesn't mean it is legitimate. A hoax I received recently even provided a link to Snopes, and the page it referred to discussed a real virus, with a similar subject line. A little more investigation, however, showed that the message I received was not this virus, and I was able to find the page that identified this hoax. Wikipedia also reminds us that if the message claims to do nearly impossible things, or to be from a respected company but includes emotionally-charged language, it is probably a hoax.
Inspiration for this post:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_computer_virus_hoaxes
The other links in this article
A hoax I recently received, that is like the invitation hoax
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Raising the Internet Savvy Parent
Raising the Internet Savvy Parent
While I was visiting my future in-laws over Thanksgiving I witnessed something most unusual. Someone opened a drawer and found some printouts from a Simpsons character creating website. Just as you may have suspected, it was the 3-year old cousin. He demonstrated for us how he got to the site. He clicked on several favorites until he found a specific site. Then he followed a confusing path of what appeared to be random pictures. Eventually, however, he ended up at the Simpons site. A fluke. They asked him to do it again, and sure enough a few moments later, the Simpsons site again came up. Fortunately he has good parents who I am sure will monitor his Internet usage.
If parents expect to be able to be a part of their children's lives, they need to learn how to use the Internet. Kids can cultivate and create friendships, play games, create artistic masterpieces, and buy anything they can think of without leaving home. Or worse, they can fall prey to predators or succumb to devastating addictions like gambling or pornography. This is the first step to raising Internet savvy parents, an understanding of what is out there.
Next, there needs to be open and honest communication between parent and child. Children should always feel comfortable telling their parents about anything disconcerting they see on the Internet. Scolding or punishing a child for accidentally bringing up an inappropriate web page would not likely create this environment.
Lastly, parents and kids need to understand that the Internet does not provide privacy. They should go in with the expectation that everything they do online may be public knowledge. Parents should monitor their children's Internet usage, so they can help them with any problems before they become addictions. While filters and browser histories can be effective, it will not take a child long (especially one who starts browsing the web at age 3) to figure out how to defeat them. Perhaps the best way to monitor Internet usage is to put the computer in a very public place. Have two computers in the front of the house if the kids argue over the computer for homework time. Children should expect that their parents will know everything that they do online.
The world with all of its inspiring works of humanity and its sleezy filth are in your home, at your children's fingertips. Helping children say “no” to online dangers should be taught nearly as emphatically as saying “no” drugs or alcohol, because the results may be just as devastating. The first step will be trying to keep up with your 3 year old.
Post inspired by:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=9034759235d0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=ac58759235d0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
While I was visiting my future in-laws over Thanksgiving I witnessed something most unusual. Someone opened a drawer and found some printouts from a Simpsons character creating website. Just as you may have suspected, it was the 3-year old cousin. He demonstrated for us how he got to the site. He clicked on several favorites until he found a specific site. Then he followed a confusing path of what appeared to be random pictures. Eventually, however, he ended up at the Simpons site. A fluke. They asked him to do it again, and sure enough a few moments later, the Simpsons site again came up. Fortunately he has good parents who I am sure will monitor his Internet usage.
If parents expect to be able to be a part of their children's lives, they need to learn how to use the Internet. Kids can cultivate and create friendships, play games, create artistic masterpieces, and buy anything they can think of without leaving home. Or worse, they can fall prey to predators or succumb to devastating addictions like gambling or pornography. This is the first step to raising Internet savvy parents, an understanding of what is out there.
Next, there needs to be open and honest communication between parent and child. Children should always feel comfortable telling their parents about anything disconcerting they see on the Internet. Scolding or punishing a child for accidentally bringing up an inappropriate web page would not likely create this environment.
Lastly, parents and kids need to understand that the Internet does not provide privacy. They should go in with the expectation that everything they do online may be public knowledge. Parents should monitor their children's Internet usage, so they can help them with any problems before they become addictions. While filters and browser histories can be effective, it will not take a child long (especially one who starts browsing the web at age 3) to figure out how to defeat them. Perhaps the best way to monitor Internet usage is to put the computer in a very public place. Have two computers in the front of the house if the kids argue over the computer for homework time. Children should expect that their parents will know everything that they do online.
The world with all of its inspiring works of humanity and its sleezy filth are in your home, at your children's fingertips. Helping children say “no” to online dangers should be taught nearly as emphatically as saying “no” drugs or alcohol, because the results may be just as devastating. The first step will be trying to keep up with your 3 year old.
Post inspired by:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=9034759235d0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=ac58759235d0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
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