©2005 CityWest Cable
All Rights Reserved.
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It is important
to be safe when surfing the Internet. The following page contains
information on how to help you do that.
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Security
in your browser is an important feature. It is a good idea to have
a browser installed that supports SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) because
this is the type of security that most e-commerce sites use. To
find out if your browser supports SSL, you will have to find out
whether your version uses 40 bit or 128 bit encryption. You will
need a browser that uses 128 bit encryption. To find out:
Internet
Explorer
Go to Help
Go to About Internet Explorer
It will say Cipher strength and list a number (either 40 or 128-bit).
If you need to download an updated version go to www.microsoft.com/ie.
Netscape
Go to Help
Go to About Netscape
If it says that this version supports International Security, then
you have 128 bit. If not you will need to get a newer version from
www.netscape.com/computing/download.
If you
are viewing a page over a secure connection, your browser will warn
you It will also warn you if you are leaving the secure connection.
You will see a small padlock icon in the corner of your screen if
you are viewing pages over a secure connection.
Cookies
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Cookies
are small packets of information, usually personal, that are
transferred between the web browser and the web server. Cookies
are first sent from the web server to the browser, where the
browser loads and stores the information into a text file.
Then the file is sent back to the web server from the browser,
the next time the site is visited. Cookies usually can only
be read by the server that sent them. Cookies usually are
harmless and aid in making navigation easier, however, they
can be used for other purposes.
There
are ways of monitoring or restricting cookies on your machine
through your browser. You can configure your browser to do
the following:
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To not store any personal information
To reject all cookies
To Prompt before it allows a cookie
To check site certificates for validation or revokation
To prompt if a third party has requested for information
To prompt when navigating between secure and non-secure
sites
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File
and Print Sharing
As a customer
with Cable, you will receive a non-static IP address and have a
constant connection to the Internet. This may pose a security risk
if you want to use the file sharing function in Windows. Disabling
file and print sharing is one way of protect yourself on the Internet
and is very easy to do.
To turn
off the file sharing function:
Right
click on your network neighborhood icon
Left click on Properties
Click the configuration tab
Click on file and print sharing
Click on Properties
Make sure the box that reads "I want to be able to give others
access to my files" is not checked. Click on OK to apply
the changes and then Click OK again.
If you
have a need to share files, you may either password protect your
shares, or you can disable file and print sharing for TCP/IP and
use another protocol, such as NetBEUI, to share files within your
network.
File
Sharing Programs
One of
the biggest things to hit the Internet are files sharing programs.
These programs are most commonly used to share music files between
users. However, they are designed to share all file types. How do
these programs work? When the software for the particular program
is downloaded and installed onto the machine, it gives the user
a user name and password. What then happens is when the program
is activated, the user connects to a very large network. When the
user searches for a file, they are actually searching on all the
other users machines that are connected to that same network. The
file transfers occur between the user and other users connected
to the service, not between the user and the service only.
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One of
the biggest fears of having computers connected to the Internet
are viruses. Viruses are programs designed to destruct computers.
Once the
virus is made it will be distributed through shareware, pirated
software, e-mail, or other various ways of transporting data. Once
the virus infects someone's computer it will either start infecting
other data, destroying data, over writing data, or corrupting software.
The reason that it is called a virus is because it spreads.
Once you
have become infected, either by downloading something off of the
Internet or sharing software, any disks or media that you placed
into the computer will then be infected. When that disk is put into
another computer their computer is then infected, if that person
puts files on the Internet and hundreds of people download that
file they are all infected and then the process continues infecting
thousands if not millions of people. Computer viruses are also spread
by e-mail, so be careful when you are downloading e-mail attachments
from your computer. Be sure they are from a reliable source, and
that the person who sent it to you did so themselves.
Antivirus
software
The most
commonly used method of protecting against and detecting viruses
is to purchase a third party application designed to scan for all
types of viruses. If you purchase one of these programs, it is a
good idea to keep them updated so they always have the latest information
against new viruses.
Some of
the most popular virus detection software include:
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The Internet
is a wonderful educational tool and can be great for children, but
it can also be a dangerous place when children are not supervised
and monitored. Here are some tips that can help you keep your children
safe while they are using the Internet.
Protect
your Children
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The
computer your children use at home is best placed in the family
room or living room where you can supervise what they are
doing. The worst place for the computer is in your child's
bedroom where you can't monitor their activities. If the computer
can't be place in a common area, then it is very important
to check on your children while they are online and exploring
the Internet.
Make
sure you know and control the software your children install
on the computer. Also familiarize yourselves with the software
or services that they use while online.
Set
up guidelines and rules for your children. Come up with rules
for your children to follow while on the Internet, and place
them in a common area near the PC and set up certain times
and durations during the day when your child is allowed to
use the Internet.
If
your children are using your account, they are "you" on the
Internet. When they get in trouble, it looks like "you" are
doing it. Tell them that it is your account and they are guests
when they use it.
If
your children use "chat rooms", you should monitor that use
closely. This is the place that your children are most at
risk from predators.
Never
give out your passwords to anyone. Children should give their
password only to their parents.
You
should never provide anyone online with any personal information
about you or your family that would give them the ability
to contact you offline, such as names, telephone numbers,
addresses, school names or extra-curricular activities. Never
send someone your picture without first being sure that you
know exactly who you are sending it to.
Know
who (the real name, address, and phone number) your children's
"Internet friends" are, not just their "nickname".
You
should never agree to get meet someone that you have been
chatting with online without first confirming that the information
they have give you about themselves is valid. If you are a
child never meet someone without checking with your parents
first. If a meeting is going to occur ensure that it is in
a safe and public place.
You
should never open URL's, emails, or other files from people
that you do not know or do not trust.
If
you encounter a situation or message that makes you feel uncomfortable,
do not respond to the message, or get involved in the situation.
Children should inform their parents right away, so that they
can inform the online service provider. Take note of their
screen names and inform the online service provider.
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Monitoring
you children offline
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It
not only is important to monitor you child's surfing while
online, but there are ways you can monitor you child offline
as well
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Check
your Phone bill:
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Some
pay sites or adult sites require you to dial in to their service,
using a number other then with a Dial-up Internet provider.
With Cable you do not need to dial in to our service. However,
if you do have your dial up modem connected to the telephone
jack, you are at risk.
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Check
you Credit Card bill:
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Some
pay sites or adult sites require you to use your credit card
number to access their service. Ensure that your children
do not have access to you credit cards, and monitor your bills
to ensure that you won't receive any unwanted charges.
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If your child does not want you to see what he/she is doing
on the Internet, you may have a problem. Check your browser's
cache and history file to see where your children have been.
If either is cleared, your children may be trying to hide
something from you. It should be full unless you cleared it
yourself.
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Check
your Cache:
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Open
Internet Explorer
Click on Tools
Click on Internet Options
Under the Temporary Internet Files Section, click Settings
Click on View Files
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Check
your History:
Internet
Explorer:
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Open
Internet Explorer
On the Standard Buttons Toolbar, click on the History Icon
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Netscape
4.7:
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Open
Netscape
Click on Communicator
Click on Tools
Click on History
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Third
Party Software
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To
help protect your children from viewing inappropriate websites
etc, you can purchase third party software to screen web pages.
Some popular child safety products include:
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Spam
Email
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Spam mail is unsolicited email. Avoiding spam
mail is extremely difficult. Spammers can get your email address
through numerous methods, such as purchasing anything online,
subscribing to mailing lists, surfing the web, posting on
newsgroups or message boards, or getting your email address
off of someone else's email.
The following are tips to help reduce the amount of spam email
that you receive:
Do not use the "Remove Yourself" or "Unsubscribe"
feature on a spam email. Most spammers will not remove your
email address from their list. By emailing them back, you
are confirming that the email address they spammed is active
and they will continue to send emails to that address.
Another feature to avoid, is registering with Do Not Send
lists. These lists tend to work along side with spammers,
also confirming the validation of your email address.
Do not reply to spam. Usually the reply addresses are invalid
or even belong to someone else.
Never email spammers. This also confirms to them that your
email address is valid.
Try creating a separate email account as a way to help manage
spam mail. Only use this account when signing up for mailing
lists, purchasing online, browsing, etc. Restrict your personal
email account from any use other then just personal use.
Change your reply to address when dealing with email that
is other then personal email.
Some people try and email large emails in large quantities
to the spammer. This is highly discouraged. Usually the email
address they are sending to is invalid. As a result they will
receive numerous delivery-failure notices sent to their own
email account, thus disrupting their own service. This also
disrupts the service of the spammers ISP as well. Instead,
it is a good idea to contact the ISP of the spammer. Spammers
are usually violating their ISP's Acceptable Usage Policy.
Most ISP will deal with the spammers accordingly. It is also
a good idea to contact your ISP, to see what their methods
of filtering spam are. It is important to understand that
filtering spam is difficult, as it could disrupt people trying
to contact you for legitimate reasons.
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Password
Protection
It is always important to develop secure passwords and keep your
password's safe on the Internet.
When creating
passwords:
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Use
a minimum of 6 characters, using both letters and numbers
combined, with random upper and lower case.
Do not to use names or numbers that are significant to you,
that could be easily guessed, such as names or birth dates.
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Once you have your password created:
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Never
give your password out to anyone.
Do not write your password down or leave it anywhere near
your computer or where it could be found.
Change your password on a regular basis.
If you suspect that someone possibly has your password you
should contact your Service Provider and have it changed.
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An Internet
firewall is a system or group of systems that enforces a security
policy between an organization's network and the Internet. The firewall
determines what services may be accessed from the outside, which
outsiders are permitted access to inside services, and which outside
services may be accessed by insiders.
For a firewall
to be effective, all traffic to and from the Internet must pass
through the firewall, where it can be monitored. The firewall must
permit only authorized traffic to pass, and the firewall itself
must be immune to penetration. Unfortunately, a firewall system
cannot offer any protection once an attacker has gotten through
firewall. The firewall is part of an overall security policy that
creates a perimeter defense designed to protect the information
resources of your organization.
Software Firewalls
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There
are different types of firewalls. Software Firewalls are software
programs that must be installed on each individual machine
that you want protected while on the Internet. They do not
require any additional hardware, just the software package
itself.
Some
popular software firewalls are:
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ZoneAlarm
Norton
Internet Security
McAfee
Tiny
Firewall
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Residential
Gateways
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A
residential gateway is a router with a built in switch and
uses NAT to protect the LAN/allow the LAN to communicate with
the internet.
Some
popular brands of Residential Gateways are:
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Dlink
Linksys
US
Robotics
3Com
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Hardware
Firewalls
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A
hardware "real" firewall does not contain a switch and uses
many security technologies to provide a very strong level
of protection.
Some
popular Hardware firewalls are:
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Gnatbox
Pro
Cisco
Stone Gate
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Additional
Security Information
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Back
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To
view additional security information prepared by Industry Canada,
click here.
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