Cyber Predators

In the last fifteen years, the Internet has become one of the very best resources for information, shopping and, in many cases, a sense of community. But alongside the effective uses, the Internet has also become a harmful tool for cyber predator’s intent on stealing private information, or, worse, harming our children. A proactive approach to online safety is the key to ensuring safety.

Six out of ten children online have received an e-mail or instant message from a perfect stranger and more than half have responded, while 1 in 33 children have been aggressively solicited to meet their cyber friend in person. Teenagers are particularly at risk, owing in no small part to the amount of unsupervised time they spend online and the increased likelihood that they’ll participate in online discussions regarding relationships, companionship, or sexual activity.

Recently, a 37-year-old man molested a 16-year-old girl after they met on MySpace.com. The man misrepresented himself when he exchanged messages online with the teen. Then, he showed up at the girl’s after-school job, followed her to the parking lot, forced her into his car, and attacked her. The assailant knew where she worked because she had posted it on her MySpace profile.

In addition, the Federal Trade Commission reports that some ten million Americans annually are victims of another form of cyber crime: identity theft. A common tactic used by cyber predators involves invasive spyware - a program hidden inside an otherwise harmless looking file which monitors and tracks information unbeknownst to the user, often resulting in the filching of credit card numbers, social security information and other personal information. The latest trend in identity theft is what officials call “pharming” - a tactic used by criminals to redirect users from legitimate websites to fraudulent sites or proxy servers, without any overt indication they are doing so.

The Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute has the following tips to prevent cyber predators from entering your lives:

1. Children and teenagers should be supervised at all times when entering the Internet. Put your computer in an open area where you can see what they are doing online.
2. Establish ground rules: children and teenagers should not give out personal information over the Internet. They should not post pictures, write about family matters, or share information about school.
3. Keep an open line of communication with them and talk to them about the issue of cyber crime. They need to understand the dangers, but they also need to trust you enough to tell you what is going on.
4. Report suspicious and inappropriate things you find on-line whenever you or your children come across them.