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| Facing The Challenge Of Securing Online Kids |
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Security April 2004 • Vol.2 Issue 4 Page(s) 32 in print issue |
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Facing The Challenge Of Securing Online Kids Windows Warfare Commentary by Christian Perry |
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 Before the Internet entered our homes, children's communication with the outside world existed only via the telephone, a knock at the door, and the occasional stone thrown at a bedroom window. These means of interaction invited and continue to invite occasional minor mayhem, but today it's a whole new ballgame. Parents now grapple with a much more complex medium that not only facilitates communication but also knowledge, fun, and, yes, trouble. Kids are remarkably computer savvy, using email, IM (instant messaging), and chat programs to communicate at any time of the day or night. These kids can easily hide their online activities from computer-novice parents. Years ago, a quick peek at the computer's Internet browser history or automatically saved chat logs consistently revealed what kids were up to, but now it's not so easy to see what's going on. Many kids know they can erase their tracks at the end of each computing session. As a result, some parents now resort to sophisticated tools to spy on their children—the same types of tools once reserved for network technicians and hackers. Programs such as SpyAgent (www.spytechweb.com), Spy Buddy (www.exploreanywhere.com), iSpyNow (www.ispynow.com), and others not only let parents track the Web sites their kids visit, but they can also record emails, IMs, chat sessions, and downloads. These tools even let users secretly record keystrokes, so every letter that's pressed by the user is recorded in a hidden file. These programs are designed to run in stealth mode, invisible to anyone other than the person watching the user. While perfectly legal, this surveillance raises issues of trust and privacy. Most kids probably wouldn't be thrilled to learn that their parents watch everything they do online. Spy tools like these, or even the threat of their use, might be necessary in rare situations to keep tabs on kids who refuse to follow rules. But for parents simply looking for an easy way to monitor activity, this might not be the best route, and not just for moral concerns—knowledgeable youngsters might discover the software and decide to use it on their parents. Even if you previously discussed responsible online use with your kids, it's easy for them to get sidetracked by curiosity. With this in mind, it might be wise to implement regular refresher talks to remind children of potential dangers and responsible behavior. They won't always want to hear it, but if the alternative is a secret chaperone, they probably won't mind. Another option is to keep the computer in the den or another open area. The potential for an eye over the shoulder may be enough to keep your kids from straying into forbidden content. Of course, it doesn't hurt to be proactive when it comes to the computer itself. Learn how to create individual Windows accounts for each child where you can set permission levels. Use the Content Advisor in Internet Explorer to set appropriate rating levels and list approved sites and make sure to configure the Content Advisor using a supervisor password. Use a strong password for the Windows administrator account to ensure that no one hijacks the account and changes others accounts and permissions. If you're not sure what types of things to secure and what to allow, take note of what your child likes to use and go from there. Also check out a browser like SurfMonkey (www.surfmonkey.com), which delivers a safe, child-tailored browsing experience. Remember to re-evaluate your monitoring methods as your children grow older because the same restrictions used for grade schoolers aren't usually necessary as kids enter their teen years. Striking a balance between encouragement and restraint can be a challenge, but if you take a little time to learn and implement effective, flexible monitoring methods, your children can continue to view the computer as a positive, friendly tool.  Christian Perry is a long-time contributor to Smart Computing magazine and its sister publications, the Smart Computing Learning Series |
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