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White House Cyber Security Head Praises Tips for Safe Computer and Internet Use Issued by Government/Private Sector Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 01/29/2003

National Cyber Security Alliance Announces Cyber Security Tips and Posters for K-12 Schools

Now, more than ever, security needs to be a regular part of children's lives when they go online -- not only to stay safe themselves, but also to protect computers and networks from harm. To this end the National Cyber Security Alliance announces the availability of cyber security tips and posters for K-12 teachers and students. These resources can be viewed and printed from the Alliance Web site at www.staysafeonline.info.

The National Cyber Security Alliance has created two printable tip sheets that outline age-appropriate computer and Internet safety and security practices. The materials were developed with The CyberSmart! School Program, also an Alliance founding member.

"Teachers, parents and kids all play an important role to help keep the Internet a safe place for learning and communicating in the 21st century. These cyber security tips provide an excellent guide," said Dick Clarke, Special Advisor to the President for Cyberspace Security.

The tips emphasize both safety and security precautions. For example, "Cyber Security Tips for Teens, Teachers and Families" includes "Be a responsible cyber citizen." If you use the Internet, you're a citizen of a global community -- a cyber citizen. Students are also instructed to protect their identity online, use hard-to-guess passwords and keep them private, and use anti-virus software, among other tips. "Internet Safety Tips for Elementary School Students" reinforces the fact that "Cyber pals are strangers if you don't know them face-to-face," and urges children to immediately tell a responsible adult if they feel uncomfortable or get a mean message from anyone online.

About the National Cyber Security Alliance

The National Cyber Security Alliance is a cooperative effort between government and the private sector to foster awareness of cyber security through educational outreach and public awareness. Visit www.staysafeonline.info for cyberspace security information.

About the CyberSmart! School Program

The CyberSmart! School Program empowers children to securely, responsibly and effectively take advantage of computers and the Internet with school curriculum and teacher training. The free CyberSmart! Curriculum is co-published with Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. Visit www.cybersmartcurriculum.org. For information about The CyberSmart! School Program visit www.cybersmart.org.

 
Contacts:
For more information on the Alliance or the 
Stay Safe Online Campaign:
Tiffany Olson
202-456-5420
tolson@nsc.eop.gov

For more information on The CyberSmart! School Program:
Jim Teicher
Executive Director
908-221-1516

INTERNET SAFETY TIPS

For elementary and middle school students, their teachers and families:

1. Be a safe and responsible cyber citizen.

If you use the Web, email or chat online, then you are a cyber citizen. Just like citizens in your town, cyber citizens have responsibilities. Use good manners when you communicate online. Obey laws and rules your parents and schools make to help you stay safe when using your computer.

2. Tell your family to protect your home computer with anti-virus software and a firewall.

Viruses can sneak into computers and hurt or destroy information. They can get to your computer from software or the Internet. Anti-virus software should always be used to guard against computer viruses. A firewall helps protect your computer and the information it contains -- especially personal information -- from being stolen by online thieves.

3. Do not open an email from someone you do not trust.

If you don't know who is sending you an email, the best thing to do is delete it quickly. Computer viruses can spread to millions of people through email.

4. Use hard-to-guess passwords.

Do not write passwords down on small pieces of paper taped to your computer. Passwords that are easy to guess are a bad choice. In other words, if your name is "Dan," don't make your password "Dan." Remember to change your passwords regularly.

5. Turn off the Internet when it's not being used.

The Internet is a two-way road. You get information and also send information. Turning off the Internet makes sure that someone else on the Internet can't enter your computer and cause harm.

TOP TEN CYBER SECURITY TIPS

For teens, their teachers and families:

1. Be a responsible cyber citizen.

If you use the Internet, you're a citizen of a global community -- a cyber citizen. Just like being a citizen of your local community, being a cyber citizen has responsibilities. Use the Internet to share knowledge that makes people's lives better. Keep safe, use good manners and respect the laws.

2. Use anti-virus software.

A computer virus is a program that can invade your computer and damage or destroy information. Anti-virus software is designed to protect you and your computer against known viruses. But with new viruses emerging daily, anti-virus programs need to be updated regularly. Check with the Web site of your anti-virus software company to see some sample descriptions of viruses and to get regular updates for your software. Stop viruses in their tracks!

3. Do not open email from unknown sources.

Delete email from unknown sources. Watch out for files attached to emails, particularly those with an "exe" extension -- even if people you know sent them to you. Some files transport and distribute viruses and other programs that can permanently destroy files and damage computers and Web sites. Do not forward email if you are not completely sure that any attached files are safe.

4. Use hard-to-guess passwords and keep them private.

Do not write passwords down on small pieces of paper taped to your computer. You would be surprised how many people are sloppy about keeping their passwords private. Passwords that are easy to guess are a bad choice. In other words, if your name is "Dan," do not make your password "Dan." Change your passwords regularly and don't give your passwords to anyone! Tell your family that combinations of letters, numbers and symbols are harder to crack than just words.

5. Protect computers with firewalls.

Install firewalls for your family -- it is not difficult. A firewall helps prevent hackers from breaking into your computer or the computers that belong to your family. Firewalls help prevent thieves from stealing and using private information including your phone number and credit card numbers, which may be stored on a family computer.

6. Do not share access to your computers with strangers.

Learn about file-sharing risks. Your computer operating system may allow other computers on a network, including the Internet, to access the hard drive of your computer in order to "share files." This ability to share files can be used to infect your computer with a virus or look at the files on your computer if you do not pay close attention. Check your operating system and other program help files to learn how to disable file sharing. Do not share access to your computer with strangers!

7. Disconnect from the Internet when not in use.

The Internet is a two-way road. You get information and also send information. Turning off the Internet makes sure that someone else on the Internet can't enter your computer and cause harm. Disconnecting your computer from the Internet when you are not online lessens the chance that someone will be able to access your computer.

8. Back-up your computer regularly.

Help your family back up all household computers onto external media such as CDs or diskettes.

9. Regularly download security protection update "patches."

Security flaws are regularly found in operating systems and application software. Companies that make software release quick fixes called "patches" that you should install to correct the latest software flaw. It is a good idea to check for security updates on the publisher's Web site for all the software you own.

10. Help your family to check computer security on a regular basis.

Evaluate computer security at least twice a year. To help remember, do it when you change the clocks for daylight-savings time! Check for all of the items listed previously.

Contact: Tiffany Olson
Company: For the Alliance or the Stay Safe Online Campaign
Phone: 202-456-5420
Email: tolson@nsc.eop.gov

Contact: Jim Teicher
Company: For The CyberSmart! School Program
Title: Executive Director
Phone: 908-221-1516
Email: