Privacy & Other Issues

1. Privacy & Other Issues

2. Acceptable Use Policies • When you sign up for an account at school or from an Internet Service Provider, you agree to their rules and restrictions. • Your use privileges can be suspended or terminated if the rules are broken. • If you didn’t read the AUP when you signed up, you can always find it on their Web site. • You can’t plead ignorance on not knowing of the AUP.

3. Viruses, Trojans, Worms • Virus - a program that attaches itself to a host, and copies itself onto new files/disks • Macro viruses - small program written using a macro language for a specific program that executes when a document is opened. • Trojan horse - a program that slips into the system using a disguise (a game, screen saver) • Worm - like a virus, but it reproduces and works over networks • Some are harmless, but many are destructive.

4. Avoiding Viruses, Worms, etc. • Use antivirus software and update it regularly • Keep floppy disks out of your floppy drive unless you are working on them. • Consider disabling Java and Javascript capabilities on your Web browser • Back up files • Disconnect your computer from Net when done. • Do not open “strange” email attachments

5. Avoiding Viruses, Worms, etc. • Viruses and email • You cannot get a virus from a plain text message. • Attachments can carry viruses or be a trojan horse • Save attachments to the hard drive before you open it. • See p. 62 for helpful tips for setting up mailer programs to save files automatically • Do not take the filename by face value. • Delete unexpected attachments

6. Information Online • Information about you = $$$ • Advertisers love to know about you and what you like and buy • Web Pages can be customized to your tastes • Information can be maintained in databases and made available to others

7. Information Gathering • A lot of information is voluntarily given by you • Other information can be gathered via search engines and other resources.

8. Security • Who cares? • What can you do? • Make passwords hard to figure out • Log out of your account • Do not give out unnecessary personal info • Beware of scams • Shop and use auctions safely

9. Libel, Threats, Professionalism • Libel- written or pictoral statement that damages a person/organization ($ or other). • Posting libelous statements online can result in a lawsuit against the poster. • Private individuals have more rights than public ones (i.e. politicians) • Remember that email can easily become publicly viewable.

10. Libel, Threats, Professionalism • Do not take threats casually. • A flame is an email or newsgroup message where the author attacks another person with high intensity. • A flame war is an exchange of flames between 2 or more people. • In the workplace you may be monitored and harassment is taken seriously. Use your head.

11. Software Piracy and Infringement • SW Piracy - the willful reproduction or distribution of 1+ copies of a program/work. • Read your program’s license agreement to see what you can do with the program. • The Internet and CD-R has made piracy of software and music easier for people. • A good way to get a virus.

12. More Security • Secure Web Documents • Where Web documents reside on a secure server (that uses encryption schemes) • Making sure that the right people get access to documents • Firewalls • software/hardware that restricts access to the LAN to trusted users (controlling traffic in both directions)