Monday, November 1, 2010

Learning about Internet Security and Privacy

As more and more "learning" ventures out into the online world, it is becoming more and more important for instructors and students to understand the issues of security and privacy on the world wide web.

Many instructors don't think twice about asking their students to sign up up for online services, even when that means giving out personal information. Students will give out more information than necessary to create the accounts. Creating savvy internet users, both instructors and students, will help assure the safety of all involved.

One place to start educating oneself about online dangers would be a free e-book available for download from Microsoft. Own Your Space -- Keep Yourself and Your Stuff Safe Online was edited by Linda McCarthy, the former Senior Director of Internet Safety at Symantec (the computer security software company which sells Norton Anti-Virus, among other products). While aimed at t(w)eens and their parents, the 16(+) chapter e-book has lots of historical and practical information about threats in the online world useful to novices of all ages, and is full of general information about how to avoid those threats.

You can check it out and download the whole book, or individual chapters, by clicking here.

Have you found a particular site or book especially enlightening regarding internet privacy and security? Share your helpful links and suggestions below!

Also note that October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. For more about campus-wide efforts and information go to http://oit.wvu.edu/infosecurity/.

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