Topic outline

  • General

    E-Awareness

    Original material from Coleg Powys

    • What is e-Awareness

      What is E-Awareness?

      • Like it or not, the internet is becoming increasingly embedded into our every day lives. Whether we access it at home, college, on a mobile, or via games consoles, we spend a huge amount of time connected. We put so much information online these days it's easy to forget just how important it is to protect that information, and ourselves.

        As useful, informative and fun as the internet can be it also carries risks, dangers and pitfalls in equal measure - just like in real life. Things like cybercrime, inappropriate material and fraud can effect all of us, regardless of age. 

        E-Awareness is about knowing the risks, keeping safe online and knowing who to turn to if you have a problem; the more aware of the potential dangers we are, the safer we will be.

        By using the resources on these pages you'll learn tips & tricks on how to stay safe, maintain your privacy, spot scam websites and e-mails, identify cyber-bullying and much much more. Please feel free to look around and get in touch if you have any questions.

      • The WISE Code

      • W
        		Always ask why a website or someone you make friends with on the Internet would need your personal information.
        I
        		Be inspired! The Internet offers great tools for learning, discovering and creating.
        S
        		Be secure. There are constantly new scams, hoaxes, viruses and spyware on the Internet. Install security software to keep your computer and data safe.
        E
        		Evaluate the stuff you read, see or receive through the Internet. Just because its on the Internet does not make it true, reliable or genuine.

        The WISE code, taken from www.wisekids.org.uk.

      • Useful Documents


      • Useful Web Links

    • Staying safe on social sites

      Staying safe on social sites 

      • What do we mean by social websites?

      • A social site can be any website where you interact with other people. Some popular examples include Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Bebo, YouTube, and Last.FM but you'll find that the majority of websites nowadays either have some form of social interaction or will link to sites that do.

      • Our Top Tips

      • Zip it, Block it, Flag it

        Here are our top tips for staying safe on social networking sites:

        • Keep your personal information private. This includes things like your name, full address, bank details, date of birth, phone numbers but also extends to your photos, videos and other uploads.

        • Think carefully about your password. Don't give it to anyone and try not to choose something obvious.
           
        • Think about what you're posting online and who can see it. Remember that they're public places; posting something you don't want your family, friends, teacher or boss to see isn't a good idea.
            
        • You don't have to add everyone as a friend, limit your friend lists to those you know and trust. Don't be afraid to reject a friend request.

        • If you get sent nasty messages (see the cyber-bullying section) block whoever sent them and report it to the website or someone that you trust, like a parent, guardian or teacher.

        • Don't open attachments from people that you don't know.

        • If you're using a public computer or other access point, don't forget to log yourself out!

        • If you've come across anything that upset you make sure you report it to someone you trust, or an organisation such as CEOP.

        • Never meet someone that you've met online in real life without telling a parent or guardian. If you intend on meeting an online friend, take an adult with you and meet in a public place.

        • Always keep your anti-virus and spyware software up to date. 

      • Staying safe on Facebook


      • Facebook has a number of built-in controls to protect you and secure your personal information, allowing you to choose who's allowed to view it. Some of these are activated automatically - if you're under 18, for example, Facebook does not add your profile to public search results - but for many of the settings you'll need to adjust them yourself.

        Please see the links below to watch our how-to videos, or save and/or print our comprehensive guides on how to adjust your Facebook security & privacy settings:
      • Facebook How-To Videos

      • How-To Guide to Staying Safe on Facebook

      • Useful Web Links

    • Cyber-Bullying

      • Cyber-Bullying

      • What is cyber-bullying?

      •             

        Cyber-Bullying is, put simply, bullying carried out through the use of electronic devices; that is, through your computer, mobile phone, etc. The Directgov website describes it as:


        		"when one person or a group of people try to threaten, tease or embarass someone else by using a mobile phone or the internet" (Directgov)

        Cyber-Bullying can be just as damaging as "normal" bullying, if not more so, because it often comes with a degree of anonymity for the bully; you may not always be aware of who's carrying it out. Having the ability to type things into a computer, and not speak face-to-face, makes it much easier for a bully to send hurtful comments.

        It's important to remember that the boundaries of cyber-space are unlimited. Cyber-bullying does not rely on you being in the same playground as the bully and they have the potential to keep harassing you even outside school and/or college hours.

        Cyber-bullying does happen but you don't need to be a victim. There are things that you can do to stop it, and people who can help and support you through it.

      • What forms can cyber-bullying take?

      • Cyber-bullying appears in many different ways. Directgov has compiled a list of the most common forms:

        E-mail

        Sending emails that can be threatening or upsetting. Emails can be sent directly to a single target, or to a group of people to encourage them to become part of the bullying. These messages or ‘hate mails’ can include examples of racism, sexism and other types of prejudice.

        If someone sends you a message and you forward or laugh at it, you’re actually adding to the problem.

        Instant messenger and chatrooms

        Sending instant messenger and chatroom messages to friends or direct to a victim. Others can be invited into the bullying conversation, who then become part of it by laughing.

        Social networking sites

        Setting up profiles on social networking sites to make fun of someone. By visiting these pages or contributing to them, you become part of the problem and add to the feelings of unhappiness felt by the victim.

        Mobile phone

        Sending humiliating and abusive text or video messages, as well as photo messages and phone calls over a mobile phone. This includes anonymous text messages over short distances using Bluetooth technology and sharing videos of physical attacks on individuals (happy slapping).

        Interactive gaming

        Games consoles allow players to chat online with anyone they find themselves matched with in a multi-player game. Sometimes cyber bullies abuse other players and use threats.

        They can also lock victims out of games, spread false rumours about someone or hack into someone’s account.

        Sending viruses

        Some people send viruses or hacking programs to another person that can destroy their computers or delete personal information from their hard drive.

        Abusing personal information

        Many victims of cyberbullying have complained that they have seen personal photos, emails or blog postings posted where others could see them without their permission.

        Social networking sites make it a lot easier for web users to get hold of personal information and photos of people. They can also get hold of someone else’s messaging accounts and chat to people pretending to be the victim.
        (Taken from the Directgov website's page on Cyber-Bullying)

      • Who Can I Talk To?
      • If you feel that you're being bullied online make sure that you do all you can to stop them yourself - block them and report them. Remember to tell someone you trust, such as a parent, guardian or teacher. If you'd rather chat to someone your own age about cyber-bullying get in touch with a Cyber Mentor (see the link below).

        If you'd rather speak to someone anonymously get in touch with Childline or FRANK - see the links below for details.

      • A video introduction to Cyber-bullying

      • Download an introductory video about Cyber-bullying and the many forms it can take. Click on the link below: 



      • Useful Web Links

    • Spotting Scam Emails

      Spotting Scam E-Mails

      •        



        We're all used to spam, but how well can we spot a scam e-mail? It's all too easy for conmen and fraudsters to use the internet to their advantage while preying upon innocent consumers. Sometimes their efforts can seem very convincing, but there are some easy ways to avoid falling into their trap.

        The most common type of scam e-mail is called "Phishing". This is where you get an e-mail from someone pretending to be your bank, or other account holder, and asks you to verify your personal details via e-mail. If you follow the instructions in one of these then a fraudster will gain access to your personal information and not your bank. These scams can sometimes be difficult to spot as they're often designed to look just like an e-mail from your bank would - see below for our top tips on avoiding them. Remember that no company will ever ask you to verify your details via e-mail.

        In this section you'll find a few tips on how to identify, and avoid, scam e-mails.

      • Our Top Tips On Avoiding Dodgy E-Mails

        • Your bank, or any other site that you've signed up for an account with, will never ask you to verify your personal details via e-mail.

        • Never open attachments from unknown sources.

        • Always check the internet address that the e-mail has come from... some scams can look very similar, so check them carefully. For example, the official website for Santander is www.santander.co.uk, but a scam could be from an address like www.santander-bank.com or www.santanders.com.

        • The person behind a scam e-mail probably doesn't know your name, even if they've somehow managed to get your e-mail address, so chances are that their e-mail will be addressed as "Dear Valued Customer" or similar. 

        • Keep an eye out for poor spelling and grammar... these can sometimes be a give away.

        • Ignore any e-mail that says you've won a prize jackpot or lottery.

        • Likewise, also ignore e-mails for work from home schemes that offer no details of payment. They'll often expect money up front - these are scams.

        • Ignore e-mails that warn you about a virus or trojan horse - especially if they tell you to delete a file from your computer.

        • Keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software up to date.

        • Check a website like Snops or VMyths (see links below)to find out whether a scam email is true or not.

      • Useful Web Links

    • Teaching Materials

      Teaching Materials