About Me:I am the President of Child Online Protection, which is an Internet Safety Organization. We teach children how to better protect themselves against online predators. We are under the direct supervision of Law Enforcement.
TAMPA - When you log on from home, you may not be the only one.
"I never really thought about it
but when I got my own internet and WI-FI, I definitely encrypted it
right away," said wireless internet user, Richard Doyle.
But too often, experts say, many
others leave their WI-FI network wide open. Think of it as the internet
equivalent of leaving your front door wide open. Anyone can walk in and
take whatever's there.
"The worst of the criminal bunch
will go out and use somebody else's internet connections to surf the
internet for child porn, steal credit card numbers, and more,"
explained I.T. Security expert Chris Jones with Critical Intervention
Services in Clearwater.
Jones says it is known as "war driving," in which thieves cruise neighborhoods in search of easy access.
"There are a number of people who
drive around and map out all the open un-encrypted access points. Most
people have no clue," said Jones.
Detectives say that's what Benjamin
L. Smith, was doing, when they busted him parked outside a house in St.
Petersburg. They say he used his laptop to not only steal the
homeowner's WI-FI but using it to download child porn.
A judge Tuesday sentenced him to
nearly five years of sex offender probation. Smith's arrest for
stealing WI-FI three years ago was one of the first in the country.
"People never think about these issues until it's too late, until something's gone wrong," said Chris Jones.
Unless your network is encrypted or password protected, experts say you're at risk.
"I was afraid that somebody would
use my WI-FI and do something illegal and my door would get busted down
or something," said wireless internet user Richard Doyle.
He and his friends say their WI-FI networks are password protected for just that reason.
"Because I've heard stories of
people getting in. Logging in and checking accounts and monitoring
stuff on your computer," said wireless internet user Jim Sheppard.
Keeping it encrypted, say experts,
is the only way to keep safe. Experts say there's no way to tell for
sure, if an unprotected network is getting hacked. The only way to keep
them out is to make sure you use the encryption program which most
wireless systems come with.
Three little words that can change everything for a teen in need because of an online predator.
It can be 3 of the hardest words to say. But it can also be 3 of the easiest words you can type.
According to Cybertip Line, 1 in 5 kids will be solicited online by a predator.
If
you know someone who is in trouble because of an online predator, or
you yourself are the one who needs help, it is okay to speak up and say
or type those 3 little words. It takes 5 seconds out of your life that
could save your life or the life of someone you care about.
Want to know what our kids are dealing with? Check it out.
These are actual messages to teens
Kid 1 - - - she was 14
"would
you "runaway"? are you totally unhappy with your current situation? u
will have to destroy and bury the tower in the computer u use as
everything we have written is "mirrored" in that. can u do that? in the
eyes of the law i am supposed to be a "responsible adult" therefore
they hang my **** ! :O( u on the other hand are a confused minor and u
get totally forgiven. i could get 30 years if we get caught. u must
protect me and my identity.
r u up to that?"
"does
that mean you will have to "run away" to me? would you do that? u
realize i could get 50 years in jail for taking u in don't u?"
will your mother let us get married? i love you!!
i will bring you here to me.
when can u leave there? luv u hunnie,
if you r seeking a life long companion let me know :O)
marry me? seriously u r sooo gorgeous!!
Kid 2 she was 17 - - she ended up deleting her profile.
Date: Dec 2 2006 10:01 AM Flag spam/abuse [ ? ]
Subject: No Subject
Please let me call you baby-You are soo sexy and pretty-I will do whatever I have to do to get to you.
you
can handle more than one man-I can tell by looking at
you!!Please--Let's help each other--I need you-What is your internet
provider screen name so we cam instant message?
Please think about it-Don't you get lonesome?I might be able to help you out in some ways--Do you have a boyfriend?
why can't I callyou-Will you please call me-
Do you have aol,msn or yahoo so we can instant message?May I call you-What is your number?
Hey-I thinh that you are really pretty-Will you please write me back-
The
AMBER Alert Program was created in 1996 as a powerful legacy to
9-year-old Amber Hagerman who was kidnapped and brutally murdered while
riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas.
The
tragedy shocked and outraged the entire community. Residents contacted
radio stations in the Dallas area and suggested they broadcast special
“alerts” over the airwaves so they could help prevent such incidents in
the future.
The next year
local law enforcement and broadcasters created the AMBER Alert program
in Amber Hagerman’s honor. The AMBER Alert program, also known as
America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response Plan, is a program in
which broadcasters and transportation authorities immediately
distribute information about recent child abductions to the public,
enabling the entire community to assist in the search for and safe
recovery of the child.
What
began as a local effort in Dallas, Texas, has grown into a seamless
system of AMBER Alert programs across the country, each year saving the
lives of abducted children.
How do AMBER Alerts work?
Once
law enforcement has been notified about an abducted child, they must
first determine if the case meets their AMBER Alert program’s criteria.
The U.S. Department of Justice recommends the following criteria for
issuing an AMBER Alert.
Guidance on Criteria for Issuing AMBER Alerts • There is reasonable belief by law enforcement an abduction has occurred • The abduction is of a child age 17 years or younger • The law-enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death •
There is enough descriptive information about the victim and abduction
for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery
of the child • The child’s name and other critical data elements,
including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National
Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer If these criteria are met,
alert information is assembled for public distribution. This
information may include descriptions and pictures of the missing child,
the suspected abductor, and a suspected vehicle along with any other
information available and valuable to identifying the child and suspect.
The
information is then faxed to radio stations designated as primary
stations under the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency
Alert System (EAS). The primary stations send the same information to
area radio and television stations and cable systems via the EAS, and
participating stations immediately broadcast the information to
millions of listeners. Radio stations interrupt programming to announce
the Alert, and television stations and cable systems run a “crawl” on
the screen along with a picture of the child.
Law
enforcement also notifies NCMEC when an AMBER Alert is released for a
specific geographical area. Once NCMEC validates the AMBER Alert, it is
entered into a secure system and transmitted to authorized secondary
distributors for dissemination to customers within the geographic areas
specified.
Some states are
also incorporating electronic highway billboards in their AMBER Plans.
The billboards, typically used to disseminate traffic information to
drivers, now alert the public of abducted children by displaying
pertinent information about the child, abductor, or suspected vehicle
that drivers might look for on highways.
Does NCMEC issue AMBER Alerts?
NCMEC
releases AMBER Alerts to secondary distributors, once we are notified
by law enforcement that an Alert has been released for a specific
geographical area. Once NCMEC validates the AMBER Alert, it is entered
into a secure system and transmitted to authorized secondary
distributors for dissemination to customers within the geographic areas
specified.
Secondary
distributors are defined as companies, businesses, or organizations
that have the capability to deliver geographically targeted messages to
their customers; and have a signed Memorandum of Understanding with
NCMEC. Internet service providers (ISPs) are an example of secondary
distributors.
Only law enforcement can initiate and release AMBER Alerts for primary distribution.
What should I do when an AMBER Alert is issued?
The
AMBER Alert message encourages the public to look for the abducted
child or suspect. You become the eyes and ears of local law enforcement.
In
the event you spot a child, adult, or vehicle fitting the AMBER Alert
description, immediately call the telephone number given in the AMBER
Alert and provide authorities with as much information as you know.
What are Wireless AMBER Alerts and how do I sign up?
Wireless AMBER Alerts is an initiative to distribute AMBER Alerts to wireless subscribers who opt to receive the messages.
Cell
phone subscribers capable of receiving text messages — and whose
wireless carrier participates in the Wireless AMBER Alerts Initiative —
may elect to receive alerts by registering at www. wirelessamberalerts.
org or their wireless carrier’s web site. Users may designate up to
five zip codes from which they’d like to be alerted in the case of an
AMBER Alert activation.
Source: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
As you know, Internet Predators are not the only danger online.
Cyberbullying is becoming more and more prevalent. As in real life
bullying, cyber bullying leaves emotional scars on a child. This is a
problem that goes hand in hand with Cyber Stalking.
While its is primarily nonphysical it can be just as terrifying. It is
in fact an extension of stalking and what may begin as online
harassment may manifest into a far more dangerous pursuit. Stalking and
bullying, both online and off, are characterized by a relentless
harassment and perusal of the victim.
The bully or stalker have often had some kind of relationship with the
victim and sometimes may be the result of the victim breaking off the
relationship. Other cases it has developed through relationships solely
online.
Cyber bullying largely consists of harassing behavior in the form of:
electronic messaging unsolicited threatening e-mails virus emails, chat room harassment abusive forum posts and sexual harassment posting personal information such as phone numbers email, address posting and or creating sexuality explicit images hacking into accounts subscribing them to porn and unwanted advertising spamming and at the extreme end, death threats.
When it comes to cyber bullying, children are particularly vulnerable.
They do not have the social maturity to judge situations therefore;
they become the targets of stalkers and predators. Children generally feel safe and at ease in their homes and they often
develop a false sense of security when meeting people online. This is
what cyber bullies, stalkers, and predators rely on when luring a
child. Harassment of this kind can be extremely damaging and disturbing for a
child. So as parents, we all need to take all the necessary steps to
ensure your child is safe when using the Internet.
First you need to recognize that you can't watch them 24 hours a day therefore much of their Internet time will go unsupervised.
That being said you next best option if you can't be there is Parent Control Software.
Your computer should be set up in a family area where there will be a steady stream of traffic.
Avoid putting a computer in your child's room.
Monitor their activities online; this is imperative for children of all
ages. Do this in person by getting involved in your child's virtual
world.
You have the right to question anything your child does online.
Watch for behavioral changes in your child. This is an indication that
something is wrong, and in todays society there is a good chance that
the problem lies in their virtual world.
You should also monitor them when your not there with parent control
monitoring software. For more information visit - www.pctattletale.com
Educate your children in Internet safety and notify authorities
immediately if you or your child is receiving unsolicited, threatening
emails.
Know your state laws concerning cyber bullying and know what your rights are.
Through a combination of education and monitoring, you effectively make
your children less accessible to dangerous cyber stalkers.
Your children will be able to embrace the opportunities of the Internet in a safe and productive manner.
Thank you to our Director Of Operations, Major Ken Bundrick for this information regarding Cyberbullying and Cyber stalking.
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