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Rising concerns about computer security are evident in the San Jose Mercury News three-part series which focused on everything from phishing schemes and identity theft to student safety on the Internet. In many districts, technology directors are finding they have to do more and more to insure that data is not compromised and to see that students are not using school networks to access inappropriate content.
Part I: How online crooks put us all at risk
Part II: How well are we protecting ourselves?
Part III: U.S. targets terrorists as online thieves run amok

Defend your virtual home. Some pretty bad folks are trying to break into your computer all the time. But you can make it a lot harder for them.

A 2007-2008 research study conducted by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) reported several key findings that indicate children are logging on to the Internet at a very young age. Parental supervision of this computer activity, however, is generally lax. Not surprisingly, the study found that children are communicating with friends, peers, and others online in ways that show a lack of knowledge in what is ethical, safe behavior.

Texting is a form of wireless communication where users send or receive short, digital messages electronically. Texting is also known as SMS (Short Message Service). Although the bulk of texting is done via mobile-to-mobile devices, websites and companies are also jumping on the bandwagon. Some companies allow users to "web text" by sending and receiving text messages to mobile devices from their computers. Many provide the service for free. Text messaging is an extremely popular method of communication. CTIA-The Wireless Association®, the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, reported that over 48 billion text messages were sent in a one-month period in 2007, which averages 1.6 billion messages per day.

The Internet Protectors(TM) today opened its doors to computer users looking for non-technical help in learning about and protecting themselves against the security risks that plague Internet users today. The Internet Protectors (TIP) website (http://www.TheInternetProtectors.com) provides a neutral environment where users can ask questions of topic experts, research different aspects of security in a library of podcasts, videos, and white papers, read and subscribe to blogs on multiple security topics, discuss security issues in forums, and more.

Teaching cyber security with a focus on safety and ethics has grown rapidly in importance over the past few years. Securing your personal computer and protecting classroom computers plays a crucial role in protecting our nation's Internet infrastructure.

Kids can be mean.\n\nIt's a fact of life we've all experienced. Gone are the days, however, when avoiding a bully meant ducking out of the back door at school. Thanks to personal computers, cellphones and instant messaging, it's now easier than ever for children to attack each other, often anonymously.

Teaching literacy-reading and writing-is a core mission for schools, but today's young people increasingly "read" 3-D computer simulations and "write" via social networks such as Facebook. A growing chorus of experts say schools should add these forms of communication to their literacy mission as "technology literacy."

Tips for Dealing with Cyberbullies from the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team.

Flash cartoons based on Charlie's Angels that teach kids about how to stay safe on the internet [from the folks at Wired Safety]. Topics include: Cyberbullying, Predators and Strangers, Personal Information, Piracy, Cyber Citizenship, and Protecting your computer.

"Technolust" -- a disorder affecting publicity-obsessed school administrators nationwide that manifests itself in an insatiable need to acquire the latest, fastest, most exotic computer gadgets, whether teachers and students need them or want them. Technolust is in its advanced stages at T.C., where our administrators have made such a fetish of technology that some of my colleagues are referring to us as "Gizmo High."

The challenge for education "How do we handle the abundance of inputs and outputs available to our students given the scarcity of two major problems in our schools: Allowed / Accepted Channels of Access (number of computers per child, bandwidth, filtering, restrictions on publishing, etc...) and time. \n

From the Business Software Alliance (BSA.) Computers make it easy to make copies of computer software, pictures, words, movies and songs. But copyright laws make it illegal to copy the creative work without the owner's permission. Making copies of a work protected by copyright is just like stealing. The B4UCopy educational curriculum program, available for free download, has a goal of raising awareness of copyright laws and reinforce responsible behavior online.

Advice for teens on protecting themselves and their computers: Learn how to protect yourself from cyberbullies, predators and online scams.

A webquest about Internet Safety for 6th Grade Computer Literacy.

Chances are your district's acceptable use policy is outdated. With the proliferation of Web 2.0 tools, multifunction cell phones and handheld computers, to name just three, it's obvious that keeping AUPs up to date requires constant attention.

Discussion between parents and children is the best way to create trust. But computer use especially by new users can not be expected to be "private" from their parents. Filtering has its place, but should be used to generate trust and not access blame or perjorative measures. Students will always find a way to circumvent filtering and internet restriction. What are you're opinions? Has anyone used PC Pandora 6? Ray http://www.google.com/profiles/Raymond.WM.Lai#buzz

Online Safety 3.0 enables youth enrichment and empowerment. Its main components - new media literacy and digital citizenship - are both protective and enabling. Ideally from the moment they first use computers and cellphones, children are learning how to function mindfully, safely and effectively as individuals and community members, as consumers, producers, and stakeholders. The kind of online well-being we identify as "online safety" isn't logically something completely new and different added on to parenting and the school curriculum.

It's hard enough to make sure the data you send and receive is safe when you're at home or at work. But traveling brings a whole new set of hazards: from publicly accessible computers to unprotected wireless networks to crowded and pickpocket-plagued airports.

The average young American now spends practically every waking minute - except for the time in school - using a smart phone, computer, television or other electronic device, according to a new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation.