Keep Those Online Predators Away by Following Some of My Top Tips

My kids know way more about cell phones and the Internet and computers than I do. And I use both in my job (including writing this newsletter). Kids today use cell phones and computers so routinely (and often so differently than adults) that I'm often a bit intimidated by how much more they know when it comes to some aspects of these technologies.

I've had to remind myself, however, that I know a lot more about parenting and what's out there in the world. And here are some things that I want you to know, too, to help keep your kids safe and your problems to a minimum.

Cell Phones: I couldn't believe this story when I first heard about it, but, aside from "texting" with their cell phones, it seems teenagers (maybe younger kids as well) are using their phones to send naughty pictures. Of themselves and their friends.

Well, kids will be kids, and boys will be boys, right? One thing your children may not know, and may find out after they and you are called before school and/or law enforcement, is that this can be considered "child pornography," and is a serious offence. Sitting down and discussing such things with your children may prevent them, and you (and the police), from encountering this issue.

The World Wide Web: Most of us know the dangers of chat rooms and social sites, where Internet predators can pose as friends to lure unsuspecting children into harm's way. But what about the contents of emails your children send and receive? Contrary to accepted views, emails are not necessarily the private, personal communications your children may think them to be. Even deleted emails can be retrieved, so by all means caution your children about anything they say (or any pictures) they choose to put into these electronic documents.

If your kids are like mine, they're also probably well-versed and active on such popular social sites as Facebook, Myspace, etc. What your kids and you may not know is that such sites are prime targets for "phishing" (thieves trying to steal identities). And, now, the hackers are targeting such sites (which have millions of registered users) with malicious software viruses.

One of the most recent viruses making the rounds is called "Koobface," and here's how it works, according to PC World.com. First, you'll receive a message (seemingly from someone you know and trust on one of these sites) such as:

Hey, I have this hilarious video of you dancing. Your face is so red. You should check it out.

If you've received a message like that through Facebook or MySpace, you may have been exposed to the "Koobface" virus. "Koobface" comes through an e-mail sent by one of your social networking site friends inviting you to scope out a video.

Once the URL is clicked, "Koobface" prompts you to update your Flash player before the video can be displayed. Therein lies the virus, cloaked in a "flash_player.exe" file. According to the Kaspersky Lab, an antivirus organization working closely with Facebook, "the worms transform victim machines into zombie computers to form botnets."

The end result is that thieves remotely hijack your computer, and any potentially sensitive information that resides there. So, watch out for this or a similar email and just be aware before you click on anything that may seem unfamiliar.