Back to Basics

We’re going to take it full circle today, back to the first post I made, a very scary topic indeed: sextortion. A new case (and capture thankfully) has prompted the FBI to post a few things to help keep you safe online. Some of this is security theater, but there is some pretty good stuff to.

I’d like to put the focus on the last two bullet points (I’ve copied them from the FBI website and listed them below in case you are hyperlink averted), suspicion and communication. This goes back to a theme I’ve always kept in my posts concerning security, that regardless of the hardware and software protections you may have in place, in the end it’s up to the people involved to maintain security.

We have to be suspicious online. It’s that suspicious that informs us that we aren’t really the millionth visitor and we didn’t really win a new iPad, no matter how colorfully that banner is flashing. Suspicion tells us when something is too good to be true, or when something seems creepy or just not right. This is important because of the layer of anonymity provides. Kids need to be educated on this point. And overall, and emphasis does need to be added that it doesn’t matter if it’s someone you don’t know or someone you trust, you shouldn’t send them anything personal over the internet.

The last point is communication, and I think open lines need to be maintained from the beginning to emphasis the preventative nature of security, but also after an incident has happened.

§  Don't take for granted that your computer's anti-virus software is a guarantee against intrusions.

§  Turn off your computer when you aren't using it.

§  Cover your webcam when not in use.

§  Don't open attachments without independently verifying that they were sent from someone you know.

§  It's okay to be suspicious. If you receive a message with an attachment from your mother at 3 a.m., maybe the message is not really from your mother.

§  If your computer has been compromised and you are receiving extortion threats, don't be afraid to talk to your parents or to call law enforcement.

VIA: http://gizmodo.com/5982356/here-are-the-fbis-official-tips-to-avoid-being-sexually-extorted-online

FROM: http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/february/sextortion-cons-like-bieber-ruse-targeted-minor-girls/sextortion-cons-like-bieber-ruse-targeted-minor-girls