Public Safety

Crime Prevention

Internet Safety

Internet Safety Tips ~ Educational Programs Offered by Our Office

1. Have only one dedicated credit card for internet purchases. Restrict the credit limit / line.
2. When dealing with internet auctions, sales or classifieds: Never go outside the auction house, be enticed by the seller offering you free shipping, use Western Union or wire transfers. When selling something, never ship the item(s) until the check has cleared. If the check appears to be certified or a bank check, call the financial institution first to verify the check first.
3. Be sure that you have anti-virus and anti-spyware software that it is updated and you scan your PC for these items. Just because you have the software doesn't mean it finds everything unless you scan it.
4. Turn your computer OFF when not in use.
5. Make sure your computer's operating system is up to date.
6. There is NO such thing as good exposure when it comes to children and the internet. Therefore, regardless of their Privacy modes, any exposure can lead to giving up who and where the child lives.
7. Children may be smart enough not to talk or go to a stranger, however what is stopping the predator from meeting your child?
8. Parents don't realize that kids can have more than one screen name or social networking profile.
9. Never have an away message when not on your computer.
10. Even gaming systems that connect to the internet (such as Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) enable communications with strangers and report a child's profile and time on/off line.
11. No Web Cam for children.
12. Computer(s) connected to internet should NEVER be in a child's room.
13. Consider parental control or monitoring software.
14. Ask and work with your school and community to help educate parents and kids about the dangers of the internet.
15. Some additional resources:
    NetSmartz.org
    WiredSafety.org
    IC3.gov - Internet Crime Complaint Center | Internet Crime Prevention Tips | Internet Crime Schemes
    FTC.gov - Federal Trade Commission | FTC's Identity Theft Site
    FakeChecks.org
    Snopes.com - Urban Legends Reference Pages
    Microsoft.com/defender - Spyware Protection

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Educational Programs Offered by the
Morris County Prosecutor's Office on Internet Safety

Internet Safety for Adults
This presentation focuses on Identity Theft, Fraudulent Internet Activities (e-commerce), Auction Fraud, How Sexual Predators Find Children and how children make themselves easy targets on the internet (in this section we review popular kid websites and communicators). We review what to do to prevent these problems in the home and what safeguards can be implemented for their children. Should you become a victim, we show you what steps you can take to remedy these situations.

Internet Safety for Teens (Target Audience 8th grade)
We review some positive methods using the internet to qualify research, check validity of sources and how to look at URLs. We cover how sexual predators operate and what kids do today that make themselves easy targets. We explain how they can be stalked on-line and never know it. We give them positive steps to stop making themselves easy targets when on-line. We also review the importance of advising appropriate adults and taking appropriate action when something is done or said to youth that is uncomfortable.

Internet Safety for Educators & Educators as First Responders
This session focuses on specific topics for educators dealing with today's youth. We review how to establish guidelines and policies for using the internet safely for research, as well as how to qualify sites and review new concepts in education using the internet. In the second phase we review criminal activities associated with the internet, as well as activities more likely to have kids as victims or suspects. Educators are provided steps and procedures to assist in various situations as a first responder if they come upon a computer/internet criminal matter in the classroom.

Internet Safety & Network Security for Educational Administrators
This training session reviews policies and procedures for administration computers and networks within an educational and academic setting. We review general computer security which includes how school PCs are easy targets to data theft, wireless threats, intrusion and how to effectively work with law enforcement in criminal investigations and matters. We review what good strategies should be in place for the Information Technology personnel to help better secure their systems and what type of response could be expected when working with law enforcement. We review strengthening schools "Responsibility Contracts" and help the school administrator better posture themselves for matters that would involve law enforcement. Scenarios from real situations are sited for training purposes.

Internet Safety for Seniors
This program is designed specifically for senior citizens who utilize the computer and surf the internet. We provide a review of internet items where seniors would be more prone to becoming victims. Such items include e-commerce, fraudulent e-mails, and how to set boundaries when the grandchildren are visiting.