Social networking sites are a great way for kids to connect with each other, make new friends, and expand their world in a positive way. Most of these popular websites care about the safety of your children and offer stringent privacy policies and valuable tips for parents who want to make sure their kids’ online experience is enjoyable and free of problems.

Facebook

• “Working Together to Keep You Secure” by Jeff Williams
• Reporting abuse
• Privacy

Google+
• User conduct and content policy
• Reporting abuse
• Privacy policy

Club Penguin
• Club Penguin’s safety measures

Webkinz
• Parent’s area
• General privacy policy

Resources – Security Software Checklist

Another way to safeguard your family against threats that may arise from social networking sites is to install appropriate parental controls software. Here’s a checklist of features to look for:

Web blocking prevents your children from viewing inappropriate content

Program blocking blocks games, peer-to-peer file sharing, or any other program you specify

Social networking features record postings of inappropriate or personal information and conversations to help determine if cyberbullying activity is taking place

Explicit Lyrics Prevent previewing and downloading explicit material through iTunes

Time limits help you manage the amount of time your children spend online

Instant Message features monitor and record instant messaging (IM) chats to help you find out if your children are engaging in inappropriate dialog with friends or people they’ve met online

Usage reports provide you with a complete view of all Internet and IM activity, which you can use as conversation starters to educate your children

Email alerts notify you when your children attempt to access objectionable material

YouTube filtering enables you to block objectionable videos while allowing your children to enjoy other videos

McAfee Social Networking Guide is avaiable at: http://mcaf.ee/l581v

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Educate your kids
• “Talk to Your Kids and Set Limits”

Be proactive
• Check to see whether people are impersonating your children. Search your children’s names online along with variations and nicknames. It’s a good practice to do this often.
• Review your children’s friends list—You may want to consider letting them only be friends with people they know offline
• Create your own profile and share the social networking experience with your kids

Use technology
• Use the privacy and safety setting options on social networking sites, such as private profiles, blocking and pre-approving comments to control who your children communicate with
• Have up-to-date computer security software to protect your computer from malware, viruses, spyware, and other threats
• Consider using software that lets you monitor your children’s online activities and helps protect them.

McAfee Social Networking Guide is avaiable at: http://mcaf.ee/l581v

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Morality in Media is one of the leading voices against pornography in America, and requested comments from all Republican presidential candidates. Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Mitt Romney all issued statements in reply, but only Romney stressed the need for parental involvement in addition to stricter enforcement of the nation’s obscenity laws.

In a written statement Romney wrote:

“(I)t is imperative that we cultivate the promotion of fundamental family values. This can be accomplished with increased parental involvement and enhanced supervision of our children. It includes strict enforcement of our nation’s obscenity laws, as well as the promotion of parental software controls that guard our children from Internet pornography.”

It’s encouraging to see the candidates recognize the harm posed to children from online pornography, which is the dominant medium for accessing pornographic material. It is especially encouraging to see the theme of parental responsibility included, as parents will always remain the first and best defense against undue influence of their children.

The “pornification” of our culture has been well-documented by both left- and right-leaning media outlets, from New York Magazine to the Catholic News Agency. While the issue remains a divisive one, it appears that the gulf between left and right is being forced close due to the inescapable and visible byproducts of a pornified culture, such as sexting, advertising, and even toys for children.

Whether these campaign promises translate to anything remains to be seen, but the potential harmful effects of pornography in our culture will continue to be questioned by various segments of our society.

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Your kids need to understand that if they reveal too much about their personal lives, it could lead to problems—like susceptibility to cyberbullies, online predators, invasion of privacy, and identity theft.

These problems are not due to social networking, as they have been around since the advent of email and chat. But with social networking, the volume of content has grown and become much more personal and is easily seen by anyone.

It’s not just kids who are at risk. Even adults have been embarrassed by putting too much information on their profile pages for all the world to see.

Example of TMI on social networking websites: A student was rejected admission at a college after gushing about the school while visiting the campus, then trashing it online.

Safe Eyes parental control software can record information posted on social networks and report that information to parents, allowing parents to turn online gaffes into learning opportunities for kids.

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From the hottest new tablet to sleek smartphones and laptops, electronic devices are likely at the top of many consumers’ holiday wish lists this year. Many lucky recipients will immediately load personal data, contact information, photos, and entertainment files onto their new toys, eager to enjoy them right away.

Not so fast! When new devices are completely unprotected, they can be very vulnerable to malware infections or social engineering scams that can steal personal information.

Cybercriminals are widening their nets to target a variety of devices and platforms. McAfee Labs^TM is reporting that while Mac and mobile device malware have not hit the mainstream yet, they are increasing, and PC threats continue to escalate significantly.

McAfee encourages consumers to take some simple precautions to keep their digital lives and devices safe through the holidays and into 2012:

1. Protect your data.

In a recent global survey, home Internet users estimated that their digital assets, such as photos, contacts, and entertainment, were worth approximately $37,000. In North America, people valued their assets at a higher figure than anywhere else, at nearly $55,000.

Consider a product that offers data backup and restore features as well as advanced security that allows you to locate a missing device and remotely lock your device and wipe your data in case of loss or theft.

A Good Housekeeping survey from August 2011 found that 30 percent of people don’t back up their files, and worse, that every three seconds, a hard drive fails.

Don’t take a chance on losing important personal photos, creative works in progress, or financial information.

2. If you have a new Apple computer or device, including an iPad or iPhone, tansfer your PC best practices to your new Apple product.

Unfortunately, the popularity of Apple computers and devices has led to an increase in Mac OS X-targeted threats. According to McAfee Labs, as of late 2010, there were 5,000 pieces of malware targeting the Mac platform and is increasing by 10 percent per month.

As a proactive measure, consider installing security software that’s been developed for the Mac since more threats are being aimed at this platform. Check out Apple’s new iCloud service, which provides tools for syncing, backing up and securing data. Use the native security settings on your new device to require a passcode to access the device.

3. If you have a new PC or netbook, make sure your computer has comprehensive security software – anti-virus software alone is not enough. Be sure to back up regularly.

8,900 new malicious websites are found daily. (McAfee Q2 Threats Report)

Malware cost U.S. consumers $2.3 billion last year. (Source: Consumer Reports)

Your security software should include at a minimum: real-time anti-virus, a two-way firewall, anti-spyware, anti-phishing and safe search capabilities. Additional levels of protection include anti-spam, parental controls, wireless network protection, and anti-theft protection that encrypts sensitive financial documents.

4. Keep in mind that free security software can leave you unprotected.

Free security software typically provides only basic protection, and is often offered to get you to buy more comprehensive products. A September 2010 USA TODAY survey of 16 anti-virus companies shows that no-cost anti-virus programs generally lack important features such as a firewall, website health checks, and automatic updates.

To ensure the best protection against emerging threats, look for security software that provides real-time protection using data continuously updated in the cloud.

Don’t forget to check whether the security software installed on your new PC is only a trial version. If it is, remember to buy a subscription so that you have continuous protection against newly discovered threats.

5. Search and shop safely.

To help you weed through malicious sites, be sure to use a website safety advisor that can tell you which sites are safe and which are risky. McAfee® SiteAdvisor® software is included in all of the McAfee consumer security suites.

When shopping, look for the McAfee SECURE trustmark, which indicates that the site has passed rigorous daily testing for more than 10,000 known vulnerabilities.

Don’t forget to read the online store’s privacy and security policies before shopping.

6. Be aware of “scareware,�? or fake antivirus software.

Scareware tricks users into believing that the computer is infected to get them to “buy�? fake anti-virus software and hand over their personal and financial details, usually via pop-ups.

Scareware has grown by more than 600 percent from 2008 to 2010, and is estimated to victimize one million Internet users a day. (McAfee 2010 Report)

In 2011, for the first time ever, fake Mac anti-virus malware has become a tool for cybercriminals. (McAfee Q2 2011 Report)

Don’t buy anti-virus software through pop-up ads. Always purchase your security software from a reputable vendor.

7. Educate your family and pay attention to your children’s online activities.

Keep your computer in a common area and discuss which information is appropriate to share online and which is not, such as addresses, phone numbers, and other private information. Be aware that if your children are surfing the web, they may not be as prudent when clicking on unknown links and sites, potentially increasing the risk of threats.

If you have young kids or tweens, limit their online access and the content they can view. Use a web-filtering tool that protects kids from accessing inappropriate content such as pornography, nudity, online hate groups, school cheating sites, and profanity.

Assume your child knows how to turn off parental controls, so always keep a close eye on their activities.

For more information on keeping your kids safe, visit McAfee’s Family Internet Safety Center at www.mcafee.com/family and check out the 10-Step Internet Safety Plan For Your Family

8. If you or your child has a new gaming or entertainment device (Nintendo Wii or 3DS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360), remember that these devices are now Internet-connected and vulnerable to many of the same threats as PCs.

Make reliable back-up copies of games to protect your investment. Take advantage of built-in parental controls that can help shield kids from violent games or limit when the device can be used.

Some multiplayer games allow kids to play with strangers over the Internet, so if you are a parent, consider activity-monitoring tools.

Only connect your device to a secure Wi-Fi network.

Don’t store personal information on your device.

9. If you have a removable storage device, such as a flash drive or portable hard drive, use technologies that will help protect your information.

Consider using a secure, encrypted USB stick, to encrypt your information so it is unreadable if your device is lost or stolen.

Buy security software to protect your portable hard drive, and set a password.

Don’t leave your removable storage device unattended since they are small and easily stolen.

10. If you have a new smartphone or tablet, know that threats aimed at mobile devices are growing.

Mobile malware is on the rise, and Android is now the most targeted platform. According to McAfee, attacks aimed at the Android platform grew 37 percent from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2011.

Malicious applications are a growing threat area, so be careful of third-party applications and only download from a reputable app store. Read other users’ reviews and make sure the app’s access permissions make sense. Make sure you also protect against data loss, by backing up your mobile devices regularly.

To keep personal information, identities, and money protected throughout the New Year, it’s important for consumers to secure their new devices the moment they begin to set them up. The good news is that it’s easier and more cost-effective for families to do so.

Consumers can buy one product to protect all of their devices, and easily manage them from a single dashboard. This should give users the incentive they need to get protection for their new devices from the start—and enjoy worry-free digital lives.

McAfee is the first company to provide protection for all of a consumer’s digital devices—from smartphones and tablets to laptops and PCs — for one price. McAfee All Access costs $99.99 for individuals and $149.99 for the household version. This represents a substantial cost-savings—as much as $200—when compared to the cost of individual security and data protection for multiple devices. Free lifetime support available 24 hours a day is also included. Check out www.mcafee.com/allaccess to learn more.

Additional Resources:

For the complete list of consumer tips for securing new devices, go to https://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/securing-new-devices

Web surfers should visit the McAfee Security Advice Center and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcafee for information on the latest threats, and tips on surfing safely. A New World of Threats and tips on surfing safely.

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McAfee announced today that the McAfee® Safe Eyes® Mobile App, a filtered browser that helps parents manage children’s Internet use on the Apple iPhone, iPad and iTouch, has earned top honors in the Mom’s Choice Awards for family-friendly products with a gold award from the prestigious Mom’s Choice panel of judges. The browser was also recently recognized by Parents.com as one of the best apps to prevent cyberbullying.

Also available for desktops and laptops, the Safe Eyes product line has been the recipient of a string of accolades over the last few years. The tributes have included the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal for quality and performance, announced last month, as well as awards from organizations ranging from The National Parenting Center and Parents’ Choice Foundation to the European Commission, PC Magazine and LAPTOP Magazine.

“These new recognitions for the Safe Eyes Mobile browser reflect growing awareness of the need to protect children from exposure to objectionable Internet material on mobile devices, and particularly on kid-friendly products like the iPhone and iPad,�? said Shane Kenny, McAfee director of sales and marketing. “It’s important to keep browsing safe for younger users, whether they’re using the desktop computer in the family room, Mom’s new iPad, or the smartphone they got for the holidays.�?

In the Mom’s Choice Awards, Safe Eyes Mobile software was honored in the Educational Products, Apps & Software category. This international awards program recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services. Products are evaluated by a professional panel of judges using a proprietary methodology involving weighted scores on criteria such as production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost. Winners carry The Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence seal of approval to assist in purchase decisions.

In the Parents.com list of best apps and products to prevent cyberbullying, the publication noted that Safe Eyes Mobile product can block undesirable websites, filter YouTube videos and bar access to media players. The ability to thwart cyberbullies stems from the option to block access to social networking sites that are a major source of online harassment.

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I read a lot of news stories about kids and the dangers out there on the Internet. Once in a blue moon, I find one that puts a smile on my face.

A group of teenagers in British Columbia are dressing up as superheroes and publicly shaming pedophiles that they met online. There are conflicting reports of the number of teens involved in the stings. Some say three, others say four, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are saying enough.

The Mounties are concerned that the group of masked marauders are putting themselves in serious danger by confronting the pedophiles, and are now launching an investigation. This is the latest scrap in a long and contentious relationship between superheroes and law enforcement, who often have similar goals but also key differences in methodologies for foiling evildoers. The B.C. Super Friends don’t necessarily always live by the rules in their fight for the safety of kids, and therefore those who would be their allies become their enemies.

The Super Friends pose as teenage girls on instant messenger and “troll” for men looking to meet underage girls online. They then arrange meetings with the men and show up in full superhero garb. Thus far Batman and the Flash are the only ones reported to be involved, and due to police pressure the group has gone “underground,” telling their fans as much on their YouTube channel.

Their encounters are posted on YouTube but they have language that is not appropriate for kids so I won’t be posting them here. Instead, I’ll post the closing scene from the Dark Knight, which I would have to believe perfectly captures the feelings of the Chiliwack, B.C. police department.

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If you did, make it family safe by downloading a copy of Safe Eyes on your PC or Mac using the promo code “cyber” to get 50% off (a $25 value). One license of Safe Eyes works on the latest PC or Mac operating systems and covers three computers and ten individual user accounts. Safe Eyes is the only Parental Control Software that has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval

You can also get Safe Eyes Mobile for your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch at a new low price of $14.99. Safe Eyes Mobile is a filtered browser that replaces the Safari browser on the device, meaning that kids accessing the Internet will only be able to view age-appropriate content. Safe Eyes Mobile was recently recommended by Parents.com as an app that can combat Cyberbullying, and got rated 9/10 by BuyMeAniPhone.com.

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The attack is already being attributed to hacktivist “Anonymous” and ZDNet’s privacy blogger Violet thinks that the nature of the attack lends itself to an attack on Facebook the company rather than Facebook users.

According to The Atlantic Wire many users threatened to leave the site after being confronted with the grisly images, showing the power such hacks can have on the social networks appeal to its users. Sustained attacks of this kind could lead to users abandoning the site rather than risk confronting inappropriate and disturbing content on their friends (or their own) walls.

Spam is nothing new to Facebook. As the site has risen in popularity and steadily increased its membership to epic levels, spammers and hackers have increasingly sought to use the site to spread their malware among its users and use its sharing capabilities to spread pornographic and other inappropriate content. But drawing the attention and ire of the 4chan hacking collective seems to be a high-water mark in the network’s development. If hacker collectives continue to try and “bring down” the giant social network with such attacks, preventing younger users from accessing the site may be ever more important.

Parents who allow their children access to the social network, which is a surprisingly high number even in parents of underage tweens, should reconsider their stance as long as Facebook remains in the crosshairs of Anonymous hacking attacks. The images being spread throughout the social networking site are especially graphic depictions of violence and sex. Parental Control Software such as Safe Eyes can block Facebook specifically or all social networks.

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“Parents wouldn’t think of giving a bike without a bike helmet or inline skates without kneepads, but they don’t realize that technology gifts offering the world of the web with a click or a tap need safeguards too,�? Mr. Claus said. “When I come down the chimney on Christmas Eve, I want to be sure that youngsters can reach everything good on the Internet but nothing bad.�?

The seeds for the campaign were planted when this year’s Christmas wish lists began pouring into the North Pole. Seeing the staggering number of requests for iPads, iPhones and computers of all kinds, Santa began to worry. How can children steer clear of the millions of X-rated web pages? Violent videos? Websites on disturbing topics from gambling to guns?

Desperately seeking a way to avoid opening a Pandora’s box of pornography and other problems with every tech toy he would be delivering, Santa logged on to his computer, typed “Internet + Safety” into his browser, and discovered the Safe Eyes Family Internet Manager for PCs and Macs as well as Safe Eyes Mobile for iPads, iPhones and iPod Touch.

Santa promptly downloaded a 30-day trial and installed the software on all of the elves’ computers. To his relief, his helpers no longer had nightmares over the results of their searches for the season’s “hottest toys�? and no longer spent every spare minute online. He also was able to put the kibosh on a prank that a few reindeer were planning to play on Rudolph because the plot showed up in the software’s IM logs.

Convinced that the Safe Eyes program would let him safely fulfill the digital wishes of the nation’s boys and girls, Santa decided to spread the word. That’s why – as his sleigh soars over your house this season – you’ll hear him call “I made my list and checked it twice, but please use Safe Eyes to filter naughty from nice!�?

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