Technology and the risks involved in using it don't have to be difficult to understand. Common Craft does a great job of explaining online technology and associated risks in simple terms in a series of short video pieces they call "In Plain English". Case in point: this cartoon-like video walks you through the typical techniques used in phishing scams. Their easy-to-understand advice helps you to spot common scams and report them.

Click to watch the Common Craft Videos

In Sour Economy, Some Scale Back on Medications

Summary

New research from IMS Health, a research firm that tracks prescriptions, shows consumers are struggling to afford prescription medications in the current economy.

The extent of the difficulties patients are feeling can be seen in the reduction of prescriptions dispensed in the United States in the first eight months of 2008, over the first eight months of last year.

"People are having to choose between gas, meals and medication" said Dr. James King, chairman of the American Academy of Family Physicians as he recently addressed the bleak outlook many consumers are facing in the current economic crisis.

My Thoughts

As belts tighten in the worsening economy, consumers are forced to make tradeoffs - and affording medication is often one of the first areas to face cuts. Unfortunately, tough times equate to easy pickings for cybercriminals who know that the appeal of quack medicine and discount drugs rises as the economy falls.

Two months ago, I wrote an advice blog titled Online Medical Fraud: New Tools for Old Scams. As the economy worsens, that advice will become ever more critical.

Linda

Summary

A state sponsored study in Maryland has placed Webcams in the cars of teen drivers to record unsafe driving maneuvers. Heralded by parents and researchers, it is hoped the cameras will reduce the number of deaths among teen drivers. Not surprisingly, teens are less enamored with the monitoring in spite of the service provider’s claims that any embarrassing footage of the teens is suppressed.

The cameras capture about 20 seconds of footage whenever their sensors are triggered by actions resulting in excessive G-forces like swerving or slamming on the breaks, and record what is going on both externally and within the vehicle.

That footage is wirelessly transmitted to the service provider where experts review the video, include driving tips to improve the teen’s skills and post the clips on the web where parents can review them, and are encouraged to discuss the incidents with their teens. According to Jack Salzwedel, president of American Family Insurance who funded pilot programs in several states, “Results …show the program reduces risky driving behavior by 70 percent or more.”

My Thoughts

As a mom with a teen driver, if research concludes that web cameras reduce teen accidents and deaths the ability to install monitoring tools will be tempting.

But how slippery is this slope? If trials are successful, why limit the use of webcams to young drivers? Why not leave the cameras in their cars permanently? How about using webcams to monitor seniors and determine whether they are still capable of driving safely? Why not monitor people who have been arrested for drunk driving, or road rage?

In fact, why not install cameras in every car? If the research shows teens behave better when monitored, it is not a stretch to believe everyone would be more careful. Everyone makes mistakes - they drive when sleepy; get rushed; are distracted when trying to resolve a dispute between kids in the back seat; look down when fiddling with the radio, eating, talking on their cellphone, or reading a map; or does other distracting, if not outright stupid things, while driving.

Imagine how this technology could provide additional benefits:

• In situations where accidents are disputed, these webcams could give clear evidence.

• Though the current service says they don’t provide footage that would embarrass the drivers or passengers – don’t you also want to know if your teen (or passengers) is drinking? Doing drugs? Using profanity? Making out? Hanging with the wrong crowd?

• Insurance companies may discover that webcam surveillance doesn’t only help young drivers. Information about risky behavior would be invaluable to their business, it would show who they want to insure and the price they set for that insurance.

• Imagine the usefulness of this data in lawsuits and criminal cases; it could prove pivotal in everything from divorce disputes to murder trials. It isn’t a stretch, email and other digital data are already subpoenaed as evidence.

• Imagine how this functionality could save time and energy for law enforcement. It could free up time spent on traffic crimes. If evidence of speeding or other unsafe driving automatically generated a ticket, every traffic abuser could potentially be caught and punished -how do you dispute webcam evidence?

Good intentions are behind the webcam-in-cars-to-help-teen-drivers technology. Good intentions could also drive every other scenario I’ve suggested – and a great many more. Each encroachment on your privacy may have ‘good’ justifications – traffic cameras protect us in intersections; security cameras in stores airports, etc. reduce crimes; mapping your shopping habits, purchases, time online, the websites you visit, the emails you’ve sent allows customization of your experience and evidence; photographing every building, home and shed and making these searchable has tremendous benefits in a variety of scenarios; telephone tapping may prevent terrorist attacks…what your teen, or you, do and say in a car is just one more.

At what cost?

When each service comes from good intentions and provides tangible benefit, it may be hard to see these as encroachments on privacy and individual freedoms. However, cumulatively they begin to resemble the all-knowing government that leverages persistent behavioral surveillance of Orwell’s 1984.

If there is one thing history has taught, it’s that there is no such thing as unbridled surveillance and benevolence. I believe in technology, but I’m highly skeptical of how appropriately people - governments and companies in particular – may choose to use it. We are in a time when the question that needs answering isn’t what can technology enable, it’s what should technology enable, and what should be expressly off limits.

Linda

I originally wrote this article for the National PTA; it appears online now, in their October Issue.

Cyberbullying involves hurting others using online tools. While physical bullying usually reaches its peak in elementary school, according to one study, more than 30 percent of middle and high school students report being cyberbullied.

Unlike physical bullying, cyberbullies can deliver an onslaught of accusations and threats at any time of the day or night. They can take and alter photos in damaging ways; then they can post them on social-networking sites, such as MySpace, and add insulting comments. Sometimes, pretending to be the victim, they create fake blogs to attack the victim’s friends or to post embarrassing videos.

It is important to understand that attacks a cyberbully posts can last forever. Schools, employers, and others who search the Internet to check references or gather other information, even 10 or more years down the road, may come across the cyberbully’s malicious remarks. These remarks may cause employers and other authorities to take a dim view of the victim.

How to help

Telling kids to just turn off the phone or stay offline is NOT an option. The online world is their connection to their peers, and turning these tools off just isolates them further.

There are specific actions you and your kids can take to prevent or cope with cyberbullying:

• Never share information about their online activities, such as their gaming name or passwords, that could be used against them.

• Never respond to a cyberbully’s attacks, which only escalates the abuse.

• Save abusive messages or websites as evidence in case the bully needs to be reported to authorities.

• Report abuse—Every Internet service should have a code of conduct and way for you can to notify them about abuse.

If cyberbullying does begin, it helps if its victims can seek support and friendship. Cyberbullies are much more attracted to an isolated victim. Encourage your child to report the bullying activity and discuss the experience with you. It is a myth that “weaklings tattle.” Those who speak out and get help are the ones with healthy self-esteem and the courage to stand up for themselves.

Victims of cyberbullying are not at fault. They shouldn’t be punished for inadvertently sharing personal information with bullies or for not coming forward sooner. Bullied children must feel that those in authority will listen to them and support them.

If your child bullies

Finally, if your child is cyberbullying, it is critical to make him or her understand that actions taken in a virtual world can inflict real pain. Cyberbullying cannot be dismissed as “kids being kids.” Studies show that cyberbullies often fail in significant ways later in life. They are considerably more likely to be convicted of crimes, have failed relationships, and have trouble getting and keeping employment because they haven’t learned to get what they want in nonaggressive ways. Cyberbullies may also find themselves facing criminal prosecution for their online actions.

Establishing zero tolerance of cyberbullying, and assuring your children that they will be supported should they become victims are critical steps in providing a positive online environment for your family.

Linda

If you are one of the 80 million pet owners in this country, a new web service can help you find emergency medical help and other services for your pet via your internet enabled mobile phone.

go2Pets.com lets you enter the zip code of your current location and get results for emergency veterinary hospitals, as well as information like local off-leash parks, pet friendly accommodations and restaurants, camping, airlines, and kennels.

Sponsored by Purina, you enter your cell phone number through the go2pets computer website and receive a link to the service via a text message.

Purina has also launched a pet centered entertainment site for internet-enabled mobile phones at www.purina.mobi. NOTE: You can’t open mobile extensions on your computer, you need an internet enabled phone to view this. You can however use your computer to learn about the service on the main Purina website. This site allows you to choose ringtones that bark or purr, download wallpaper (for you less savvy readers, that means the little picture that becomes the background on your phone), and play games.

While I usually focus on the Internet’s impact on safety and positive online experiences for people, it is great to be able to recommend using the power of the Internet to increase the safety of our pets.

Linda

The Internet Protectors (TIP) is a new Internet Security and Safety website that focuses on providing help to non-technical computer. Users can ask questions of topic experts, research different aspects of security in a library of podcasts, videos, and white papers, read and subscribe to blogs on multiple security topics, discuss security issues in forums, and more.

Experts, known as TIPsters, on hand at launch include Roger Thompson of AVG on new threats, Monte Robertson of Software Security Solutions on small business security, and Linda Criddle of Look Both Ways on family online safety.

Topics covered on the site range from basic security questions like "What is the difference between spyware and viruses?" to "how to" questions such as "I use Skype to keep my business phone costs down, but how do I avoid unwanted calls and spam from people not on my contact list?"

Experts also weigh in on ways to keep private information private in social networks and the particular risks children face online, as well as up-to-the-minute news on scams affecting users of commonly-used programs like Gmail or QuickTime.

"In the Web 2.0 tradition, we have designed TIP to be as user- driven as possible," said Gayle Cline, TIP co-founder and project leader for the TIP website. "Experts and users can post blogs and resources like videos, and can create forums surrounding particular issues. Our goal is to provide a rich, dynamic, and above all relevant and usable resource for people. From the outset, TIP is ready to help home users, small businesses, libraries, educational institutions, and community organizations with security questions and concerns."

AOL’s release of two initiatives to increase Internet safety online is deserves attention.

AOL was the first ISP in the U.S. to bundle parental control tools in their subscription package to consumers, and they have continued to show steady commitment and provide industry leadership to protect children.

Today’s announcement of their upgraded Parental Control service demonstrates that commitment by stripping away their earlier proprietary requirement of using an AOL screen name to now work with any e-mail address.

This free stand-alone downloadable service by AOL has several easy-to-use features including the standard age-based access controls, and customizable controls on instant messaging and e-mail. The service also includes online timers and reports on children’s online activities. To download or learn more go to parentalcontrols.aol.com.

AOL’s second initiative to launch today is SafetyClicks.com their new online safety education Web site. Designed to be far more current and interactive than their earlier safety pages, SafetyClicks provides safety articles, blogs and videos to help educate parents about protecting their kids online and is well worth checking out.

Linda

Aug 24 2008

Microsoft Internet Safety, Security and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria

Summary

Responding to the fact that Nigeria is the third most active country in promulgating Internet scams, Microsoft has launched a campaign in Nigeria to raise awareness about Internet safety. The effort consists of a day of entertaining events such as music groups and multimedia presentations intended to raise awareness; sensitization workshops in three schools; and a follow up project. The follow-up project will place selected young people, who have been identified as having participated in cybercrime, through a three to six month process of training, internship, and employment as software developers at various software companies.

My thoughts I applaud the intent behind the initiative to address Internet crime in Nigeria. The need is clear – the label Nigerian Scam¹ has become the universal term for one form of online financial fraud.

However, no matter how sincere the attempt, the idea that providing workshops in three schools, holding a one-day media blitz to draw attention to the issue of Internet safety, and identifying a small number young cyber-criminals for a follow up project that retrains them as software developers could be effective might be considered almost quaintly naïve - if the problem wasn’t so severe.

Today many Nigerian young people frequent Internet cafes to reap benefits off easy online scams. Generating an awareness campaign to teach these criminals that crime hurts others is absurd. They already know what they are doing is criminal, as do their family, friends, victims, and their society. In addition, making this an edutainment event undercuts the importance of the message.

The most likely outcome of providing improved software development skills to these kids is that they will become capable of committing much more sophisticated crimes. When they have been brought up in a disenfranchised environment, when there is serious money to be made as cyber-criminals, when the risk of punishment remains slim, and when there are vast quantities of gullible and greedy potential victims (the number of Internet users worldwide grew from 4.4 million to 1.4 billion between 1991 and 2008) most criminals will continue to commit crimes.

A real solution to global Internet crime requires 1) improving the economic and educational foundation in countries where criminals flourish so that abiding by laws has greater benefits than a life of crime. 2) Creating internationally standardized laws to address Internet crime. 3) Providing global law enforcement training and building international cooperation to effectively fight Internet crime.

First World countries could provide leadership online, but so far we have failed to come to agreement about standardizing laws, extradition, or training of law enforcement officers. And we have failed the millions of people who struggle on the brink of starvation, plus the billions who do not have real opportunity to improve their lives through legitimate means.

If we really want a safer online environment, an ‘awareness initiative’ in Nigeria is not going to cut it. It is about as useful as putting a Band-Aid on a cancer patient.

¹ What is a Nigerian Scam? Nigerian scams run along the lines of ‘a wealthy foreigner (or relative, friend…) needs your help transferring money and promises you a huge reward for your efforts’…those who are lured by the promise of quick money end up losing thousands, to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Leading Internet Safety Expert and Author Linda Criddle to Advise Families on Empowering Themselves Online

Sept. 2, 2008

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- CyberPatrol the award-winning web filtering company, today announced an agreement with Internet Safety and technology expert and author Linda Criddle. Criddle is President of LOOKBOTHWAYS, Inc., a corporation that provides consulting to state and national governments, law enforcement agencies and other organizations committed to promoting online safety. In addition to consulting, Criddle operates an Internet safety web site and is the author of Look Both Ways: help protect your family on the Internet, an internationally recognized Internet safety book used by families and organizations.

"With social networking, instant messaging and the growing use of mobile devices that connect to the Internet, the challenges of safely enjoying the Internet are greater than ever," said Tori Case, VP of Product Management at CyberPatrol. "To meet these challenges and to ensure that families and others are empowered to use the Internet safely, CyberPatrol is partnering with Linda Criddle to provide her unique Internet safety and technology advice through a range of media."

CyberPatrol and Criddle will deliver Internet safety tips and other advice through video casts, podcasts and print material. Criddle's posts will be featured on CyberPatrol's blog http://blog.cyberpatrol.com/, which will also feature posts by educators, librarians and others committed to online safety. In addition, Criddle will work with CyberPatrol in its advocacy of more effective online safety legislation and enforcement.

"There are more opportunities than ever to share information and enrich communications over the Internet," said Criddle. "Doing so safely requires family communication, some basic 'rules of the road,' and proven software to make sure those rules are effective. LOOKBOTHWAYS and CyberPatrol share a commitment to educate parents, children, seniors and others of the need to use tools to help protect them online."

CyberPatrol's Parental Controls software provides the utmost flexibility and customization for everyone in the family, from young children, through teens, adults and senior surfers.

-- Block undesirable web sites using automatic or customized settings

-- Customize filtering for each user

-- Manage time spent online or using programs

-- Block downloads of games, music, images, and videos

-- Guard against inappropriate language in chat and instant messaging (IM) sessions

-- Restrict chat and instant messaging

-- Limit or prevent access to programs on your PC

-- Protect against revealing personal information online

-- Protect against online predators and identity thieves

-- Monitor Internet activity

"While safety software like CyberPatrol Parental Controls is a critical element of Internet safety, it is one piece of the overall environment," added Case. "CyberPatrol is committed to a comprehensive approach to protecting people online. That means providing information and advocating public policy that makes it easier for families and others to protect themselves online, while still enjoying the freedom the Internet offers. Partnering with a respected expert like Linda Criddle is important to fulfilling our mission."

About CyberPatrol, LLC

CyberPatrol is a leading provider of Web and Content Filtering software and a pioneer in the Parental Control software market. Launched in 1995, CyberPatrol Parental Controls is specifically developed for ease of use to help protect families and businesses from undesirable or threatening online activity.

In 2008, a group of private investors acquired CyberPatrol from security vendor Websense, Inc. (WBSN:

websense inc com

Under the direction of a successful, seasoned executive management team, CyberPatrol acquired Emerald Technology, Inc. in June of 2008.

CyberPatrol Parental Controls is recommended regularly as the product of choice for online safety by many parent and computer magazines. Its award-winning software is relied upon and trusted by parents, schools, libraries and businesses around the world to monitor and manage their users' Internet access, while providing them with the freedom and safety to explore. For more information, visit: www.cyberpatrol.com.

About LOOKBOTHWAYS

LOOKBOTHWAYS is a pioneer in online safety technology and education. Our deep understanding of predatory behavior online, broad experience in evaluating online consumer and industry trends, strong background in technology and consumer safety messaging, make LOOKBOTHWAYS an international leader in human threat analysis.

LOOKBOTHWAYS' extensive background in technology consulting, research, strategic planning, and complex project management enables the company to create proactive technical, legislative and educational strategies that respond to the ever-changing landscape on online criminal activities. The company holds numerous patents in the areas of emerging technologies and online safety.

LOOKBOTHWAYS also has vast experience in delivering practical online safety messaging needed by consumers of every age and technical level.

The award winning consumer-oriented book, Look Both Ways -- help protect your family on the internet; the distance learning university course, Internet Safety for Educators; and our website look-both-ways.com, are examples of our educational outreach to consumers, industry and policymakers. For more information, visit: www.look-both-ways.com.

September 2, 2008

Gaming Evolves – Will Science Classes Follow?

Summary

Spore, a new game by Electronic Arts, allows players to take a single-celled microbe and evolve it into complex, intelligent creatures. Though the process through which Spore’s creatures change does not accurately reflect evolutionary processes, it is strongly influenced by biology and aims to give players an experience of evolutionary forces that have shaped the universe.

The game’s creator, Will Wright, is known for creating games that simplify complex systems to give a feel of reality. His first popular endeavor was SimCity, launched in 1989 that allowed players to create and manage their own cities – including struggling with tax rates and traffic jams. Spore

My thoughts

Games can’t replace accurate, quality education, but they can go a long way towards driving curiosity, creating a passion for a field of study, and getting kids to ask great questions.

If Spore can create an interest and deeper awareness for science in the way that SimCity did for running a city, I am all for it.

A quote from Neil Shubin, a paleontologist at the University of Chicago, sums it up. “Playing the game, you can’t help but feel amazed how, from a few simple rules and instructions, you can get a complex functioning world with bodies, behaviors and whole ecosystems.”

With an educational system that continues to primarily use 19^th century methods for teaching 21^st century students, games like this give a hint as to how that could change.

Click here to learn more about the impact of the Internet on our students lives and what we need to do to prepare them for the future.

Linda

Aug 20^th, 2008

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has refused to sign the state’s anti-cyberbullying bill until California’s legislature agrees to a budget for their new fiscal year. By doing so, he is turning a blind eye to bullying.

Caught up in Schwarzenegger’s blanket refusal to sign any bill that reaches his desk, the bill is in fact at risk of being vetoed. This particular bill needs to be an exception to Schwarzenegger’s self-imposed bill boycott. It is one thing to refuse to sign any bill that will affect the state budget when a budget isn’t in place, but this bill has no budgetary impact.

Unfortunately, though the monetary cost is zero, failure to pass this bill carries a very high emotional cost; one Schwarzenegger is making the victims of cyberbullying pay.

With the new school year looming, failure to sign this bill increases the risks to thousands of students by allowing cyberbullies to operate with relative impunity. The math is simple. California has over 6 million K-12 students, and research by Pew Internet & American Life Project indicates that about one-third of teens have already been the victim of cyberbullying.

The damage does not end with teens. Cyberbullying is not only increasing in frequency and viciousness, the age range of victims continues to broaden. Even seniors are experiencing serious cases of cyberbullying.

The first role of government is to ensure the safety and protection of its citizens. As a father of four, the protection of children and others unable to defend themselves from the onslaught of cyberbullying, -harassment and -stalking should be a top priority.

While this bill languishes, cyberbullies can safely threaten victims with the message “I’ll be back”.

What you can do

CyberPatrol has urged the governor to change his position, and they have encouraged each of us to do the same.

This is more than a worthy cause; this is standing up for the protection of victims of crime. Cyberbullies thrive in an environment where bystanders remain silent. End the silence by sending an email of your concerns, or by calling Governor Schwarzenegger today.

Linda

Press release August 14^th 2008

Linda Criddle is an internationally recognized online safety expert who has partnered with CyberPatrol to educate users in the area of online safety. Allying herself with CyberPatrol enables Linda to reach more parents and children in her quest to spread the word about Internet safety.

A single mother of four, Linda is the author of the award winning 'Look Both Ways: Help Protect Your Family on the Internet, published by Microsoft Press. She has been endorsed by Ernie Allen, President of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and others.

Linda spent 13 years at Microsoft where she was a pioneer in online safety. Linda has a deep understanding of Internet technologies, and directly participated in the creation and filing of numerous patents for emerging technologies. She is the co-creator and instructor of Internet Safety for Educators, an online accredited course provided through Washington State University and The University of Alaska.

Linda Criddle’s accomplishments include:

• Acting as committee chair for the Washington State Attorney General’s Youth Internet Safety Task Force

• Collaborating with several international law enforcement agencies in investigations into online activities of child predators

• Working with government organizations in the U.S. and around the world to prepare online safety regulations and legislation

• Offering online safety training and design expertise to executives and product teams across the technology industry

• Founding LOOKBOTHWAYS, Inc. (www.look-both-ways.com), a company offering consulting, education, and software products to keep people safer online

Linda will be creating several vodcasts and podcasts funded by CyberPatrol that will be distributed nationwide. These messages will provide valuable tips to ensure that our children remain safer when traveling online. Linda will also be a guest blogger on the CyberPatrol Web site. Check back often for new posts.

About Linda’s organization

LOOKBOTHWAYS is a pioneer in online safety technology and education. Our deep understanding of predatory behavior online, broad experience in evaluating online consumer and industry trends, and strong background in technology and consumer safety messaging, make LOOKBOTHWAYS an international leader in human threat analysis.

LOOKBOTHWAYS' extensive background in technology consulting, research, strategic planning, and complex project management enables the company to create proactive technical, legislative, and educational strategies that respond to the ever-changing landscape of online criminal activities. The company also holds numerous patents in the areas of emerging technologies and online safety.

LOOKBOTHWAYS also has vast experience in delivering practical online safety messaging needed by consumers of every age and technical level. For more information, visit: www.look-both-ways.com.