An updated version of Internet and Computer Ethics will be coming out in 2009.

Top 10 Almost Technical Things To Protect Families and Schools

1. Passwords: Pick and use strong passwords; use and set screensavers for short timeout. Do not write passwords down; try a Password Vault.
2. Sharing: Set up your PC for several user accounts and only use the Administrator account when necessary. Set your computer’s sharing rights to meet your family’s or school’s needs.
3. Firewall: Use a personal firewall whenever connected to the Internet.
4. Malware: Install Anti-virus, anti-spam and anti-spyware software and update daily. Make sure all software is kept up to date, a/k/a, ‘patched’.
5. Cookies and Cream: Learn what ‘Safe Surfing’ means. Choose and use your browser with security, safety and privacy in mind.
6. Email: Learn the good, the bad and the ugly of your many email and IM options – then practice Safe Computing.
7. Kid Proof: Install child-monitoring or parental control software, especially to protect younger children.
8. Wireless: Enable security on your wireless networks and do not use free WiFi hotspots without enhanced security controls.
9. Being Mobile: Learn the physical and cyber security tricks you need to know to stay safe when traveling.
10. Backup: Install software that runs daily to copy all of your important data to a separate hard drive in case your computer or primary hard drive fails – which probably will, someday.

Top 10 Non-Technical Things To Protect Families and Schools

1. Understand the Risk: The Internet is a bad neighborhood, filled with villains, thieves, scoundrels, organized crime and terrorist support groups. Know what they are doing and why.
2. Who, What and Where? Know what your kids and students are doing on the Internet, where they are ‘hanging out’, and with whom.
3. ID Theft: Learn when and when not to give away personal information. Understand browsers, cookies and privacy settings. Google your name; monitor your credit reports; see what other people can learn about you and your loved ones.
4. Make Good Garbage: Use a shredder before throwing personal documents into the garbage.
5. Liar, Liar: Learn to recognize and defend against all forms of social engineering and phishing attacks aimed at you and your family.
6. Download This: Only download files and programs that you ‘really’ want or need ‘to download.
7. Find a Geek: Someone you know, or your kids know, who knows more about computers and the Internet and security than you do. Do not be afraid to ask: There is no such thing as a dumb question.
8. Meet & Greet: Discuss Internet safety, security, privacy and ethics with your kids, family and students regularly.
9. Who Ya Gonna Call? Know who to contact in school, family and law enforcement when you have to respond to a security, privacy or safety threat promptly.
10. Ethics & Netiquette: Just because you ‘can’ do something, does not mean you ‘should’ do it. Learn the difference and act accordingly. Understand the implications of your actions on your security, safety and privacy. Know why you are clicking; avoid Quick-Clicks.

Excerpted with permission from the upcoming 2009 book: “Internet Safety, Security, Privacy & Ethics for Kids, Family, Teachers and Schools”, by Winn Schwartau  © 2008-2009 Winn Schwartau & Interpact, Inc.