learning objectives
- Understand how students and internet users can protect their devices in the digital society.
- Understand how to protect one's identity when using online tools.
digital security overview
Most people would agree that it is a wise idea to lock their home or apartment when they are away in order to protect their possessions from theft. That same idea should transfer to the digital world, but unfortunately some people don't take the same precautions and allow sensitive information to be available to savvy online criminals. According to Ribble (2015), a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone should have as many (if not more) security features as the home that surrounds it. He believes that this is necessary because those who wish to steal your information can easily so through open internet and bluetooth connections. Taking time to insure that extra measures are in place to protect you information can prevent the loss of one's identity (social security number, tax ID's, etc.) or financial and credit information.
Defending your devices and wireless connections are important steps to protecting yourself, but what about other threats? In a digital society, each of us provide certain information over the internet for employment, financial, commerce, or medical reasons. Each time that information is transmitted from one device to another, there is risk of it being stolen. What can digital citizens do to protect their data and information in these cases?
Defending your devices and wireless connections are important steps to protecting yourself, but what about other threats? In a digital society, each of us provide certain information over the internet for employment, financial, commerce, or medical reasons. Each time that information is transmitted from one device to another, there is risk of it being stolen. What can digital citizens do to protect their data and information in these cases?
- Do not share sensitive information with strangers. Online "friends" may be wolves in sheep's clothing.
- Do business with known e-commerce sites. Amazon, and other retail "big box" stores are safe bets.
- Do not share information with sites that look unprofessional (poor grammar or misspellings). If you are uncertain of a site's legitimacy, do not use it.
- Do research before sharing information with a site. Reputable sites often have online reviews that you can learn more about a seller's reliability and practices. If you can't find information about a seller, use them with extreme caution.
- Do not share passwords with others. Place passwords in a secure place (on paper or use approved software password protectors). Make you password difficult to "crack". Never use "password" or other commonly hacked passwords.
- If you suspect that your information has been compromised, contact the appropriate authorities (law enforcement) as well as credit card companies, banks, employers etc. If possible, change you passwords immediately.
Connections to personal experience
Digital security has become a major issue for may people who have had employment, banking, credit or medical information compromised by hackers. Recently, I was contacted by my credit card company about a suspicious charge that was attempted using my account. Because of the location of the charge attempt, and my place of residence, the card company's digital security red flags were raised. The credit card company contacted me immediately to determine if I was really the one using the card (number). The process worked very well, and was surprisingly easy for me to use. After I informed them that I was not the one trying to make the charge, the immediately cancelled the card and issued me a new one. Fortunately, my experience so far has caused me some hassle with changing credit card numbers for certain accounts, but the damage could have been much worse had the credit card company not been vigilant.
Connections to field/discipline
Schools of all levels are required to collect certain personal data about their students, as well as grades and transcripts. Because of the sensitive nature of this information, it is important that schools have a reliable way of protecting it from hackers. This protection should be provided by professionals that are experienced in cyber-security and not done by amateurs. The expense of doing this correctly is far more valuable than the money saved through a DIY approach.
Another important role that schools have in digital security is teaching students to recognize when and how to share their information. In the summary above I have outlined six ways that people can protect themselves. These strategies should be incorporated in when possible to student coursework, and can also be included in AUP's. While this seems like yet another responsibility "dumped" on the school system, by integrating it into current or future lessons can make it easier to educate their students on the digital security issues that affect us all.
Another important role that schools have in digital security is teaching students to recognize when and how to share their information. In the summary above I have outlined six ways that people can protect themselves. These strategies should be incorporated in when possible to student coursework, and can also be included in AUP's. While this seems like yet another responsibility "dumped" on the school system, by integrating it into current or future lessons can make it easier to educate their students on the digital security issues that affect us all.
Npr broadcasts
Google Execs Talk Privacy, Security In 'The Digital Age'
April 22, 2013
Runtime: 8:31
Google execs, Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen talk with NPR about the growing concerns over security in our digital age. Specifically they security issues for individuals and their desire to maintain privacy from encroaching government and corporate attempts to access and store people's information.
http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2013/04/22/178424347/google-execs-talk-privacy-and-security-in-the-new-digital-age
April 22, 2013
Runtime: 8:31
Google execs, Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen talk with NPR about the growing concerns over security in our digital age. Specifically they security issues for individuals and their desire to maintain privacy from encroaching government and corporate attempts to access and store people's information.
http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2013/04/22/178424347/google-execs-talk-privacy-and-security-in-the-new-digital-age
Broadcast Transcript- Google Execs Talk Privacy, Security In 'The New Digital Age'
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know (3rd ed.). Eugene, OR: International Society of Technology in Education.
