Web Browser Concepts
A web browser is a software application used to access the information and resources from the World Wide Web. The information is displayed in the form of web pages. Some of the most popular web browsers are Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. With the increased use of Internet, vast reach and increasing affordability; there is also a great increase in the type and number of threats on the Internet. Therefore with the broader range of Internet Security, web browser security has assumed a lot of importance. Multiple steps need to be followed to secure your web browser and ensure that you are safe online at all times.
Internet Security
Internet security is a branch of computer security which deals with the risks involved while working on the Internet. Browser security, network security and online data security are primarily covered under Internet security. The main aim of Internet security is to develop rules and regulations that can prevent the computer and data from attacks when they are connected to the Internet.
The Internet is an insecure medium for sending and receiving information and is therefore susceptible to high risk. In order to prevent the security breaches, data and system encryption or other such standards are used. Some of the best practices include encrypting and decrypting the emails, using Pretty Good Practice (PGP) – a well-known software used for protecting electronic mails and so on. Additionally, there are tools such as firewalls, antiviruses and anti-malware software to secure web browsing.
Why Internet Security is Important?
Privacy and Confidentiality: If proper security measures are not used, attackers can read, obstruct or steal personal information. The intrusion can range from mild to severe attacks on data depending on the intention of the intruder. By maintaining privacy and confidentiality of the data, users can protect themselves from such threats.
Identity Theft: One of the major threats these days is identity theft, which can have a devastating impact on an individual who is affected. The attacker can indulge in fraudulent practice by using the identity of another person. An attacker can legally buy, sell or lend by impersonating on behalf of another person if financial information or bank account credentials of that person are acquired by them. They can use the identity information to ruin the image of that person using social media. Therefore, Internet security plays a vital role here by protecting the identity of the user.
Data Theft: Stealing the data stored on the computer such as videos, photos and documents over the Internet is referred as Data Theft. By gaining access to sensitive and personal information, the attacker can circulate or resell the data using for unlawful purposes also. Sharing private pictures, videos, sensitive business emails or crucial data on public platforms are some of the examples of data theft. Blackmailing the victim using their stolen private information is a common incidence showing the consequences of data theft. Here comes the need for Internet security measures, which can prevent such unfortunate incidents.
Web Browsers
A web browser is a software application used to access the information and resources from the World Wide Web. The information is displayed in the form of web pages. As the WebPages are hypertext documents, a web browser uses Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to convert it into a form that is readable.
Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari are some of the commonly used web browsers.
Web Browser Security
In order to access any information from the Internet, you always need a web browser. So, it is mandatory to install a web browser on every computer. It also becomes important to configure these web browsers with safety measures. It can also be observed that web browsers bundled with operating systems do not have the required secure configuration. If a user does not secure their web browser, the system and data will be at risk of getting spyware, intruders, malicious software or hackers.
Usually, new computers are sold with software and web browsers already loaded on them. This can create a risk and make the system vulnerable as the user is not sure about the security level of the pre-installed software. Due to lack of computer knowledge, most users are unable to analyses such risks and unknowingly expose their computer systems and web browsers to online threats.In order to ensure security of your web browser:
Configure Browser Security and Privacy Setting: A computer user should check the security and privacy settings of the browser soon after it is installed and should ensure that all the default settings are in place. For instance, if the browser is configured by default to leave third-party cookies enabled, they will allow advertisers to track online activities of the user. Therefore, users need to take care of all such loopholes that exist in the default configuration.
Keep the Browser Updated: To fix the security vulnerability of previous versions of browsers, updates are released from time to time. It is advisable to keep updating the browser for improved security as and when the updates become available.
Sign up for Alerts: Enable Google alerts on the web browser to stay updated with any evolving security issues. One can also limit the frequency of alerts: instant, daily or weekly.
Install Security plug-ins with Caution: Installing security plug-ins is a good practice but sometimes they can also put the user at risk if not installed with caution.
The safe and recommended extensions for ensuring browser security are:
HTTPS Everywhere: Developed by Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Tor Project (for Firefox, Chrome and Opera), HTTP Everywhere extension automatically switches insecure HTTP websites to secure ‘FITTPS’ websites.
A web of Trust: Determining the safety of the website. WOT is an extension for Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari. It shows a traffic signal icon near URLs and links to indicate the reliability of the source. Green indicates it is trustworthy, yellow means proceed with caution and red signals to avoid it.
LongURL.org. – Twitter and Facebook users often see a shortened link attached to an engaging post and do not spare a second thought before clicking on it. These links can mask malicious links that can put the system on risk. One can check that where this suspected link is destined without clicking on it by simply copying and pasting that shortened link into the search box at longURL.org.
Instant Messaging
Instant Messaging (IM) extension is among the most popular, user friendly and easily installable extensions. It is very simple to verify the instant messaging account with a One Time Password (OTP) received on mobile phones. Though emails are the preferred source of communication, Instant Messaging beats them when it comes to prompt interaction. Most of the leading IT companies like Microsoft and Google provide instant messaging services.
What is Instant Messaging?
Exchanging text messages between two or more participants in real time over the Internet using a set of communication technologies is called Instant Messaging. The benefit of Instant Messaging is that the sender can check if the receiver is online or not by viewing their status and can get a revert instantly. There are also few systems that allow messages to be sent to offline users or engage in video chats along with messaging.
The main features of instant messaging are as follows:
- Allows back and forth communication with online friends
- Allows creation of chat rooms with more than one friend
- Allows video chats and view/send videos
- Allows viewing images stored on the remote computer of a friend
- Allows sharing of music 6. Allows sending quick messages from mobile phones
- Allows sharing of favorite web links
- Allows real time sharing of news
- Allows audio calls with friends
- Allows sharing of documents
The network of instant messaging has a client and a server. Client is installed at the user end. Whenever user initiates an IM session, it is authenticated by the server operated by the vendor of Instant messaging network. Google Hangout, MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger are some such vendors.
How Instant Messaging Works:
If A wants to send message to B, A types a message and commands client to send it to B.The message will be kept in a packet that would reach the server for authorization. Once the server examines and verifies that the package is meant for B, the server will keep it in a new packet and then the message will be forwarded to B.
Instant Messaging Security Issues
Contacting people using IM is less expensive and faster than any other medium (telephone or email). Due to this reason, Instant Messaging (IM) has gained popularity as the preferred communication medium. Apart from chatting with friends and family members, IM has convened real time communication especially in the corporate world, where time sensitive transactions occurs.
Some of the security threats associated with Instant Messaging are:
Privacy Issues: As the IM session exchanges information in clear-text mode, the data can face several privacy issues like eavesdropping, information leakage and loss of data. Most of the free IM Systems do not use encryption technique, which in turn opens opportunities for hackers. Several freeware network sniffers (NMAP or Ethereal) are available that can be downloaded to access the textual conversations between two parties.
Impersonation: Hackers can gain the access to login details of user’s IM account and can impersonate themselves as the user. Friends, business clients and co-workers cannot recognise if the user is real or not and can exchange crucial data or private information. This may cause severe damages to the victim.
Malware Threat: By using file transfer option on IM, users may allow infected files and malware to enter their system. Users may skip the antivirus check and invite virus on their system. Attackers can also convince credulous users to install malicious software sent by them.
IM Software Vulnerabilities: IM clients can have in-built vulnerabilities if not downloaded from a reliable source. It is advisable to check IM client carefully before installing them on your system, else the system can be prone to additional vulnerabilities.
Denial of Service: The system can also become susceptible to Denial of Service (DoS) while using Instant Messaging clients. These attacks may harm the system differently, such as by crashing instant messaging software, consuming higher CPU power, making IM clients hang repeatedly and make the computer unstable.
Managing Instant Messaging Security Issues
There is a multi-pronged approach that must be followed to handle the issues related to Instant Messaging. If the threats cannot be resolved, they are isolated, so that they cannot cause any further damage to the system or data.
To manage security issues related with Instant Messaging:
- Set the IM Client not to accept shared files automatically, which in turn will protect the system from downloading virus affected files.
- Whenever any file is received on IM, always check its origin and open only after scanning with antivirus software.
- For official purposes, set up a corporate Instant Messaging System on the company’s Intranet.
- Never open web links from unknown senders.
- Either avoid sending personal information on IM systems or encrypt them before sending.
- Always keep the firewall protection on, install latest antivirus software and keep Instant Messaging software updated.
Security of Google chrome and its steps
Although Firefox was given the most secured browser award in 2019, we still love Google Chrome don’t we? And switching browsers is not easy, especially when we have been using it for a while now. But don’t feel guilty about not using the most secured browser, you can still take these steps to ensure that your browser has the optimum level of security.
1. Limit synced items
We use Google Chrome across all our devices, and so, to keep us updated we often sync all our devices so that all the information (logins and passwords, bookmarks, etc.) is available to us at all times. However, this continuous sending of data can put your security at risk, so limit the synchronization.
To do this, click the three dots on the upper right side of Chrome and then Settings > Advanced > Sync and other Google Services.
As you see in the above image, Synchronize everything is set by default. We recommend deactivating the options you use less frequently.
2. Encrypt synchronized data
In the same menu, i.e. Settings > Advanced > Sync and other Google Services, there is another options to encrypt your synchronized data. Select the option Encrypt synced data with your own sync passphrase. Next, choose a password that you can remember (different from your Google account password).
This will add an extra layer of security by asking for the password every time Google Chrome wants to synchronize your data.
3. Tweak the Content Settings
Go to the Settings > Advance and then click Site Settings (under Privacy and security). This particular section is highly crucial to your security; it’s where you’ll configure what to do with Cookies, JavaScript, Plugins, Popups, and more. These are the recommended settings.
Cookies: Keep local data until you quit your browser (this clears your cache for every browser closed).
JavaScript: Do not allow any sites to run JavaScript (you’ll probably need to add sites to the exceptions for any website you need to allow JavaScript).
Plugins: Let me choose when to run plugin content.
Location: Do not allow any sites to track your physical location (add any sites to the exceptions list that are needed).
Notifications: Do not allow any site to show notifications.
Other than these settings, leave those listed as recommended. If you happen to be super paranoid, you might also go to Unsandboxed plugin access under Site Settings, and enable it if it’s not enabled already.
Note: Sites with two-factor authentication might not behave properly when you set Cookies to Keep Local Data Until You Quit Your Browser. For those, you must set up exceptions.
To set an exception, click the Manage Exceptions button and then enter the necessary site and click Allow from the drop-down. You can use wildcards in exceptions in the form of [*]google.com.
- Change your Password settings
Under Settings > Advance > Password sensure that Offer to save passwordsand Auto Sign-in are both unchecked. Even though this would mean you will have to remember your passwords, and will need to sign in every time you go to a particular website.5. Change the System settings within Google Chrome
For the very concerned for online privacy, I would highly recommend unchecking Continue Running Background Apps When Google Chrome Is Closed. This will close all apps when you exit Chrome and prevent notifications (such as Gmail, Facebook, etc.) from having access to your desktop. You would find this setting under Settings > Advanced > System.6. Use the Incognito
For those that really don’t want to risk security at any cost, when using Google Chrome, you can always run every session through an Incognito window. Many desktop environments will allow you to open Chrome in Incognito without having to first launch Chrome and then open a new Incognito window. You can also click on the 3 ellipses for the Google Chrome menu, and then click on New Incognito window or press Ctlr+Shift+N for shortcut.7. Turn off Google Activity Control
Google Chrome not only saves your browsing data, but so does Google itself every time you’re logged in to your Google account. This option, activated by default, can be easily deactivated. To do this, access the option Activity controls of your account from this link, and deactivate the switch.
Also, from this page you can configure many other aspects related to your activity. If you have time, take an in-depth look, because it is really interesting (and you’ll be surprised to know just how much Google knows about you).
8. Maintain your list of extensions
Google Chrome extensions are highly useful, and we often install them, but then we use them for a few days, and then forget about them. What is the point of having plugins installed that are constantly sending data to an external server? It is advisable to review the extensions we have installed from time to time and clean them up.
To do this, click on the 3 ellipses for settings, and then click on More tools > Extensions or directly access using the Google Chrome flag chrome://extensions/. Uninstall/remove every extension that you do not plan to use within the next 2 weeks.
9. Add these security extensions
There are a lot of extensions available whose main focus is security. Here’s a list of such extensions.
HTTPS Everywhere: HTTPS Everywhere is an extension created by EFF and the Tor Project which automatically switches thousands of sites from insecure “http” to secure “https”. It will protect you against many forms of surveillance and account hijacking, and some forms of censorship.
Hola Free VPN: Hola is a free and ad-free VPN proxy service that provides a faster and a more open Internet. Unblock websites blocked or censored in your country, company and school, and stream media with the free Hola Unblocker VPN proxy service.
Unshorten.link: Shortened links can be hiding anything. With the Unshorten.link extension, any shortened link (such as bit.ly or t.co) you click on will be automatically expanded and analyzed for malware giving you a clear view of where the link is taking you. Unshorten will also automatically remove known tracking cookies from the URL.
Last Pass Password Manager: LastPass, an award-winning password manager, saves your passwords and gives you secure access from every computer and mobile device.
WOT Web of Trust: WOT creates a secure browsing environment, showing website security icons next to every URL & reputation alerts for unsafe websites.
Chrome Cleaner: The most fast and powerful Cleaner Extension in the Chrome Store! Cleaner lets you clear all unnecessary data from Chrome as easy as one click. Protect your privacy, delete all activity and fasten your browser with Cleaner extension for Chrome.
10. Take a Google Security Checkup
Before looking at extensions or apps however, a wise step would be to see how secure your browser is right now. Google provides an easy-to-use tool for this specific task called security checkup.
When you visit the site, Chrome will log you in and assess your current levels of protection, highlighting any areas that need addressing.
Security of Mozilla firefox
Develop by the Mozilla foundation ,firefox is an open source web browser having a customizable user interface. The browser is available for windows,android, linux and Mac operating system respectively.
Enable a master password
Like other browsers, Firefox by default allows anyone who accesses your computer to log in to sites where you’ve saved the password. And as with Google Chrome, a list of the saved usernames and passwords can be viewed via the Options menu of Firefox.
Fortunately, Firefox offers a master password feature that encrypts and password-protects the saved password list. When enabled, you must enter the master password the first time you use a saved password, once per browser session. Additionally, even though you enter the master password the first time, you must always enter it before you can view saved passwords via the Options menu. This is a great feature to help prevent casual snooping of your passwords. It even prevents most third-party utilities from recovering them.
To enable the master password feature, open the Firefox menu, select Options, select the Security tab, and then check the Use a master password option.
Use a strong password for syncing
Like Google Chrome, Firefox has a syncing feature to synchronize your bookmarks, passwords, and other browser data to Firefox browsers running on other computers and devices. Fortunately, Firefox encrypts all synced data, not just your saved passwords (as Google Chrome does). Additionally, Firefox has more security than what Chrome offers by default when you’re setting up a new computer or device to sync. In Firefox, you must log in with your Firefox Sync password. Then you must either enter a random pass code from the new device into one that you’ve already set up, or take the recovery key from a device you’ve already set up and input that key into the new device.
So you don’t have much to worry about with Firefox syncing—as long as you use a strong password, one with upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. If someone knows or cracks the password, and has access to a device you’ve already set up with syncing, they can then set up other devices with syncing and access your passwords and other browser data.
To enable or change sync settings, open the Firefox menu, select Options, and select the Sync tab.
Verify that security options are enabled
Like other popular browsers, Firefox includes some basic security and privacy settings. Though most are enabled by default, you should ensure they haven’t been disabled.
Start by opening the Firefox menu and selecting Options. In the Options window, select the Security tab. Ensure that the first option, Warn me when sites try to install add-ons, is enabled to help prevent sites from automatically installing add-ons, as some can be dangerous. Then ensure that the next two options, Block reported attack sites and Block reported web forgeries, are also checked to help enable protection against malware and phishing.
Next, select the Privacy tab. And if you want more privacy online, select the first option, Tell websites I do not want to be tracked, which isn’t enabled by default. Although it can’t prevent all tracking, it will reduce tracking by those sites that support this type of option.
Now, select the Content tab. To prevent pop-up windows that can be annoying and even contain phishing ads, ensure that the first option is enabled: Block pop-up windows.
Lastly, select the Advanced tab, select the Update subtab, and ensure that Automatically install updates is selected.
Use add-ons for more protection
Consider installing these security-related add-ons for extra protection:
NoScript helps you control which sites can use JavaScript, Silverlight, Flash, and other embedded content, as they can be used maliciously to infect your computer or for phishing attempts.
Adblock Plus blocks banners, pop-ups, and video advertisements on websites to reduce clutter and the resulting annoyance; they can even reduce accidentally stumbling upon adware, malware, and phishing attacks.
Web of Trust (WOT) shows the user ratings of sites and blocks dangerous sites—such as those with malware—to increase safe surfing, shopping, and searching on the Web.
HTTPS Finder automatically detects and enforces HTTPS/SSL-encrypted connections when available—great in helping to reduce the chances of an eavesdropper on a Wi-Fi network from capturing your login details.
Xpnd.it! short URL expander allows you to hover over shortened links to see the real URL and other basic information about the site so you know where it leads before clicking.
Check and update plug-ins
Cyber criminals regularly use vulnerabilities in popular browser plug-ins (like Java and Adobe products) to infect and invade computers. Most plug-ins regularly release updates to patch security holes. Many plug-ins are set by default to update automatically or at least to notify you of them. However, it’s a good idea to check periodically for updates. Consider using the Mozilla plug-in checker or third-party sites like Qualys BrowserCheck for updates for other browsers.
A little vigilance goes a long way
Firefox is pretty secure on its own, but you can make it even more secure with the right settings and add-ons. Good password management remains essential, too: Create and enable a strong master password so others can’t use or view your passwords. And if you use the syncing feature to synchronize your passwords and browser data across devices, use a strong password to prevent others from syncing. Finally, keep tabs on your add-ons and plug-ins to make sure they’re giving you the best possible protection.
Security of internet Explorer
Internet explorer (EI) is one such browser that can be found on any and every PC having the windows operating system. One most keep the security system setting of IE updated to protect the browser from online threats.
Internet Explorer has security measures in place to help protect you as you browse the web.
Follow these steps to adjust these settings:
- Within Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options. The Internet Options window appears.
- Select the Security This tab has a section at the top that lists the various security zones that Internet Explorer uses. For each of these zones, you can select a custom level of protection.
- Click Custom level. A second window appears that allows you to select various security settings for that zone. The Internet zone is where all sites initially start out. You should apply the Highsecurity setting for this zone. By selecting the High security setting, several features including ActiveX, Active scripting, and Java are disabled. Then click OK.
- From the Security tab, click Default level, and drag the slider control up to High.
- Click Trusted sitesto set security zone for sites that you think are safe to visit.
- To add or remove sites from this zone, click Sites. A secondary window appears listing the sites that you trust, where you can add or remove them. You may also require that only verified sites (HTTPS) can be included in this zone. You should set the security level for the trusted sites zone to Medium-high (or Medium for Internet Explorer 6 and earlier). If you trust that the site will not contain malicious content, you can add it to the list of sites in the Trusted sites zone. Once a site is added to this zone, features such as ActiveX and Active scripting are enabled for the site.
- Select the Privacytab and click Advanced. The Advanced Privacy Settings window appears.
- Select the Override automatic cookie handling
- Then select the Promptradio button for both first and third-party cookies. This prompts you each time a site tries to place a cookie on your machine. If the number of cookie prompts is too excessive, you can select the option to Always allow session cookies. This allows non-persistent cookies to be accepted without user interaction.
Note: For more information about cookies, see the managing browser cookies how to article. - Click OK.
- Click Sites on the Privacy tab to specify which websites are always or never allowed to use cookies. You can add or remove sites, and change the current settings for existing sites.
- Click OK.
- Select the Advancedtab to manage settings that apply to all of the security zones.
- Clear the Enable third-party browser extensions This option includes tool bars and Browser Helper Objects (BHOs). While some add-ons can be useful, they also have the ability to violate your privacy. Internationalized Domain Names (IDN) can be abused to allow spoofing of web page addresses, which can allow phishing attacks to be more convincing.
- To protect against IDN spoofing, select the Always show encoded addresses
- Clear the Play sounds in webpages Sounds in web pages may introduce security risks by having the browser process additional untrusted data.
- Click OK.
Child Online Safety
Being born in a technology driven world, children are highly fond of gadgets and the Internet. It would not be wrong to say that kids are more active Internet users than adults. This keen interest in the Internet can expose children to some unwanted content that may lead to negative impact on the young minds. With a never ending availability of vulnerable content on the Internet, the threats to children’s online safety have increased.
Some of these threats related to child online safety are:
Pornography: Due to easy and free availability of content on the internet, it has become very convenient for kids to access anything. Pornography is one the major issues related to child online security in the present time. Kids can visit porn sites very frequently and this is primarily because of the non availability of parental filters on these sites.
Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is a form of harassment that takes place using electronic technology, such as computers, mobile phones and tablets. Children are the most common target of cyberbullying apart from adults. Anyone can bully someone else by posting rumours about an individual, sending threatening mails, disclosing personal information of the person, making sexual remarks or posting embarrassing pictures. Communication tools like text messages, websites, social media, messages and chats are used to bully a person. Some of the symptoms of cyberbullying in children are:
- Lower self-esteem and enhanced emotional responses
- Increased suicidal thoughts, sadness and loneliness
- Appear scared, depressed, angry or frustrated
Stealth Sites: Cybercriminals creates stealth sites to fool the people by routing them to the wrong and affected sites. They do so with an intention to increase their site traffic and earn profits. Suppose a child wants to open an authorized government website but an online predator has developed his websites page on similar URL address with .com domain in place of .gov domain. In this case, child will be directed to another webpage that can be a porn site or any similar site.
Misdirected Searches: Parents must guide their children to protect them from online threats and about the security of system.Though parents may take precaution to safeguard their kids, there can be instances when child may be misdirected to malicious websites. Such sites often use the terms related to kids, such as exam, games, school and so on. The kid might be looking for a relevant topic but can be routed to other inappropriate websites.
Grooming: It is a practice of forming a relationship with a child and gain their faith by establishing an emotional connection with them. The attacker pretends to be a friend and collects personal information like interest, location and sexual experiences from the kid via social media sites, chat rooms and messaging. Groomers provided fake information about themselves by telling wrong gender and pose as a teenager to prepare the victim for child abuse.
Social Networking Sites: Use of social media sites is very common nowadays and almost everyone is online on one or the other website. Apart from interacting and connecting with friends, these sites can also be susceptible to cyberbullying. Hackers can steal the personal data from the accounts using unethical practices to harm the victim.
Unsolicited Emails: Getting spam mail is very common these days. These spam mails are unsolicited emails, which are send by the spammers every day in bulk. spams are intended to increase web traffic on their sites and promote pornography. Child unknowingly opens these seam mails with links of pornographic sites and becomes the victim.
Chat Rooms: Users with similar interest communicate with each other in chat rooms. Attackers approach kids in these chat rooms to collect personal information and send links of malicious and inappropriate websites to them.
Child Online Safety Guidelines
Internet surfing and online activities are always risky, majorly for kids. As children are not aware of such risks, it is the duty of adults to warn and guide kids about online safety. The appropriate antivirus software with parental controls enabled must be installed on the machines accessed by children. This will enable the parents to determine the type of sites that their children are visiting and control their communication with outsiders. Educating your child is important because as they say prevention is always better that cure.
How to Determine If Children are at Risk Online
Kids, who are facing online security issues are usually found to keep quiet and do not share their problems with others. Being children they are too scared of sharing their misery with anyone for the fear of been punished or being laughed at by others. They are unable to realize the seriousness of the situation considering their tender age.
To identify if children are facing any online risk, parents can look for the following symptoms.
- Children are usually busy on their systems.
- Children are not interested in anything and look stressed out.
- 3. The system of child contains porn content and browser search history shows access to pornography. On entry of parents in the room, they suddenly switch the active window on the computer.
How To Protect Children from Online Threats
It is very important to identify that your children are victims of online threats and help them overcome it.
Parents can use the following ways to protect kids against online threats:
- Make kids aware about the online threats by providing proper knowledge about the same.
- Keep a check on kids’ online activities on the computer.
- Make use of the Internet filtering software to restrict access to inappropriate sites and pornographic content.
- Monitor the social networking profile of kids regularly.
- Ask kids not to provide personal information to any stranger.
- Coordinate with the police if any stranger is in regular contact with them.
Encouraging Children to Report
Parents should encourage their kids to follow these suggestions in order to protect them from malicious users and online predators:
- If any inappropriate behavior is found online, always report it.
- Discuss with parents if someone tries to cyberbully them.
- Sometimes kids are not comfortable in discussing such issues with parents, so parents can talk with a close friend.
Reporting a Crime
Like a normal crime, Internet or online crime can also be reported to the nearest police station. A special team to handle cybercrime is also available with the authorities. Victims can also lodge a cybercrime report online using trusted government web sites.
What to do if a Child becomes a Victim of Online Abuse
Children must be guided to follow the following steps if they are facing any online threat or become a victim of any form of Internet abuse.
- Avoid any type of communication with the online predators.
- Do not visit the sites which are known to cyberbully kids.
- If any spam or unsolicited email is found, block the sender to avoid further mails.
- If required, delete the social networking accounts.
Child Friendly Internet Software: KidZui
Specially designed for kids, KidZui is a web browser with a Zooming user interface paradigm. It is free, safe and easy to use web browser, which provides filtered search results. It doesn’t use the open Internet, only the teachers and parents have the right to approve the database URLs that can he accessed by the kid.
There is no need to monitor the online activities while kids are using KidZui. Here, children can access various games, photos, videos and websites approved by parent as safe.
Some of the key features of KidZui are:
- Searches on KidZui are safe and are tailored as per the child’s needs and approval of parents.
- It has a spelling checker and suggestions feature in built.
- It come with a GUI that is easy to understand for kids.
- Kids have access to several games, videos, websites and photos, which are approved by guardians.
- No threats of online predators.
- Easy and secure sharing of data and communication with friends.
- Parents need not monitor kids while they are using it.
- Guardian receive a report showcasing the online activities of the child.
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