Digital Smarts Blog

A Parent’s Guide to Online Safety

Power to Learn — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:47:00 -0400

The International Society for Technology in Education is offering a new book for parents covering a variety of digital citizenship topics that all parents should be aware of, including: online bullying, children's privacy, online gaming, social networks, and cell phones, among others. Entitled, “A Parent's Guide to Online Safety”, the book, by Doug Fodemann and Marje Moore, is brand new and available on the ISTE site for $10.47 for ISTE members and $14.95 for Nonmembers.

Poll Shows Most Schools Have Cyberbullying Policy

Power to Learn — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:39:00 -0400

67.5% of poll respondents, in a recent poll by SmartBrief on EdTech, reported that their school or district has a specific policy regarding cyberbullying, and about 65% say that policy covers online communication that occurs on- and off-campus. Do you know where your school or district stands on the issue? Find out before your child has an issue.

Fear Can Fuel Facebook Addiction

Power to Learn — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:34:00 -0400

Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks are particularly addictive for people who experience an intense "fear of missing out," researchers say. The urge to see what one's friends are up to can lead such people to neglect or undervalue their own lives and interests, lead researcher Andy Przybylski says. "We have to learn new skills to control our usage and enjoy social media in moderation. Until we do, it creates a double-edged sword aspect to social media," he says.

Is Negativity Contagious?

Power to Learn — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:32:00 -0400

Do negative posts engender more negative posts? Maybe. It seems to be related more with the topic than the posts. A new report, from the American Council on Science and Health, claims negative Twitter messages are contagious. But, other studies found that people do share good news online, partially because of the desire to share the "awe" factor of content. And, when comparing negative to positive content, people prefer sharing positively-themed content.

Twitter Warns Media to Expect More Hacking of Accounts

Power to Learn — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:30:00 -0400

Journalists should expect more hacking incidents in the wake of a fake Associated Press tweet that sparked a stock-market sell-off, Twitter warns. "We believe that these attacks will continue, and that news and media organizations will continue to be high value targets to hackers," the network said in a memo to members of the media. AP was the latest victim in a series of hacking cases against news outlets, including the Twitter accounts of CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” Some of National Public Radio’s Twitter accounts were hacked as well, the company said.

To bolster security, Twitter plans to introduce a mechanism called two-step authentication. In addition to a password, the security measure usually requires a code to be sent as a text message to a user’s mobile phone, or generated on a device or in software. This is just another reason to remember to verify everything you read no matter the source.

Microsoft Offers New Consumer Privacy Tool

Power to Learn — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:53:00 -0400

Microsoft recently launched a new online service, called Your Privacy Type, to help consumers assess their online privacy exposure. The free tool requires you to take a brief quiz. Microsoft uses your answers to categorize how much you may, or may not, be concerned about online privacy. The supporting website supplies guidance on how to more more proactive in protecting your privacy. I took the quiz and, at the end, found all the things they suggested might have been helpful if I was a Windows user, but since I am not, the suggestions really weren’t all that helpful except to remind me that I need to be more active in protecting myself online.

Wi-Fi Routers Found Vulnerable to Hacking

Power to Learn — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:51:00 -0400

A baker's dozen of Wi-Fi routers used in homes and small businesses were found to be easily vulnerable to hackers, according to Independent Security Evaluators, an IT security consulting firm. Another problem, the study says, is that the solution is probably out of consumers’ hands because it is up to those who manufacture routers to become more cognizant of the problem and add in more safeguards. You have to wonder if that also means that setting up a router is going to become more complicated as well.

Advertisers and Developers Ask for Delay of Revised COPPA

Power to Learn — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:50:00 -0400

Privacy groups recently asked Federal Trade Commission chairman Edith Ramirez not to delay the implementation of new child privacy data laws under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The new rules, which tighten online protections for children, are scheduled to go into effect July 1. Application developers and advertisers recently asked the agency to consider delayed enforcement until January 2014 to give app makers time to comply with the stricter rules which, they say, need clarification.

15 Social Media Scams

Power to Learn — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:47:00 -0400

Take a look at this slide show about some of the most popular social media scams that range from Facebook phishing lures to Twitter and Tumblr hoaxes. You may be amazed at how many of these seem terribly familiar and it is a quick way to get yourself up-to-date on what to look out for as well as a good way to run this info by your family.

Two Step Security Coming From Twitter

Power to Learn — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:46:00 -0400

We have written before about companies like Apple and Google adding two-step verification for their web services. Now, Twitter reportedly is preparing to roll out a two-step security system that will make it markedly harder for hackers to hijack users' accounts. The system will likely require that users who log in from unfamiliar devices enter not just a password, but also a randomly generated code sent by Twitter to a known device, such as a registered phone.