How to Protect Your Child Online: A Cyber-security Guide for Parents | Antivirus Software

Modern children are accustomed to the digital environment - they freely use smartphones, tablets and other devices with Internet access. served as an even greater impetus for their digitalization. However, due to the lack of digital security skills, children can become not only victims but also tools of cybercriminals.

I have prepared a few guidelines for parents to help protect their child from cyber threats on the Internet.

Threats and risks to the safety of children on the Internet

Recently, a mass survey of children and adolescents was conducted in Ukraine to determine their online behaviour and compliance with cybersecurity rules. Here's what research has shown :

98% use the Internet every day;

65% are unaware of the two-factor authentication feature;

52% - underestimate the level of cyber threat, believing that the maximum that viruses can do is to send messages to friends on their behalf or to destroy files;

34% - often connect to public Wi-Fi networks;

30% - without hesitation, click on any links sent in social networks and open all email messages;

30% - believe that hackers are not interested in them, and therefore there is no need for precautions and special protection;

20% - have a single password on all resources.

All this significantly increases the risks of hacking and leakage of confidential information. 

Let's take a look at some of the typical internet scam scenarios your kids might face:

Public Wi-Fi, including school Wi-Fi, is a real bait for hackers. It is very easy to hack them and get the personal data of any child.

Excessive sociability and the desire to have more friends on social networks often lead to contacts with intruders. Having rubbed into the child's trust and challenged him to frankness, such "pseudo-friends" can then publish the correspondence, turn what was said against him, and even organize Internet bullying.

The curiosity common to all children can lead them to sites with content that is undesirable for their age. And in addition to adult content, you can also get malware.

Any unverified application or untrustworthy site can contain viruses of various types that can cause a lot of trouble: steal and transfer confidential data to attackers, destroy the necessary files, and even make your children unwitting accomplices of cybercrimes.

Carelessly opening emails with obscure attachments can be a victim of phishing.

And if children, due to their age, do not yet realize the scale of the threat, then the duty of parents is to protect them on the Internet, ensuring complete cybersecurity.

Distance Learning Child Protection Tips

Children now have to spend even more time on the Internet than usual. Distance learning has been added to communication with friends, games and entertainment. What parents need to do to keep them safe from cybercriminals:

Resetting the device to factory settings

The electronic memory of smartphones, tablets and laptops stores all the owner's data and information about his actions on the Internet. Sometimes it can be dangerous, and resetting to factory settings will help you protect yourself in such cases:

1) If the device was not purchased from scratch, but was already in use. The previous owner may have sold it to you already with viruses, or download applications that are unwanted for children.

2) If you are going to sell a child-owned tablet, smartphone or laptop, you just need to reset the settings. Otherwise, the next owner will get the passwords, photos, Wi-Fi codes, browsing history and confidential documents stored in them. And who can guarantee that he does not use them to harm?

Updating operating systems and applications

The developers of operating systems and applications are constantly updating them and releasing new versions that take into account and fix past shortcomings. They differ from the outdated ones in the increased level of security, improved optimization and empowerment of digital devices. Therefore, check regularly and update applications and operating systems as needed.

Enabling

Two- Factor Authentication Set up two-step protection for all of your children's accounts. This will greatly reduce the chances for hackers to break into them and steal personal information.

Safe use of video conferencing tools

Distance learning is impossible without video conferencing for online lessons. Make sure that only licensed programs are installed on the devices to ensure safety and high quality of communication.

Explain to your children not to share information about their credentials on social networks or other online platforms. If a message is intercepted by hackers, they will be able to get to the rest of the information stored on the device through online lessons.

But even compliance with all these rules cannot guarantee complete protection against cyber threats on the Internet. The best way out of the situation is to install antivirus software with the "Parental Control" function and enhanced protection of personal data. Developed by qualified cybersecurity specialists, the program is aimed at helping parents to protect their children not only on the Internet but also in real life.

What options does built-in Parental Control give you :

Restrict access to certain applications and websites;

Receive notifications if your children are cyberbullying;

Block content that could be potentially dangerous;

Control the time children spend on the Internet and, if necessary, set limits;

Find out where your child is at any time by tracking the location of his device.

We are responsible for our children, but it is physically impossible to control their every step and to be there every second. Therefore, the  Parental Control feature is a must for all caring parents. It will help you always keep abreast of your child's actions on the Internet, detect emerging threats in time and instantly come to the rescue, wherever you are at the moment.