Internet security facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Internet security is all about keeping you safe when you're online. Think of it like a shield that protects your computer, phone, and all your personal information from bad stuff on the internet. It helps make sure that when you use websites, apps, or even just browse, you're protected from things like tricky scams, fake messages, and harmful programs that can try to sneak onto your devices. The internet is a huge place, and sometimes it can feel a bit risky, but with good security, you can explore it safely.

What Are Online Dangers?

When you're online, there are different kinds of dangers that can try to cause trouble. Knowing about them helps you stay safe!

New Online Tricks

Technology is always changing, and so are the ways people try to trick you online. For example, some clever programs can now create fake videos or sounds that look and sound super real, even though they're not. These are called deepfakes. They can be used to spread false information or trick people. Also, some bad programs are getting smarter with AI, making them harder to spot and stop.

Bad Software (Malware)

Malware is a short name for "malicious software." It's any program designed to mess with your computer, steal your information, or take control of your device without you knowing.

Viruses are like tiny invaders that can copy themselves and spread to other files on your computer. They often try to steal your data.
Worms are similar to viruses but can spread themselves across entire computer networks, like a chain reaction.
Ransomware is a nasty type of malware that locks you out of your computer or files. It then demands money (a "ransom") to give you access back.
Spyware secretly watches what you do on your computer and sends that information to someone else without your permission.
A special kind of spyware is called keylogging. This program records every key you type on your keyboard, which can include your passwords or private messages.
A Trojan horse (or just Trojan) is malware that pretends to be a harmless program. It tricks you into downloading it, but once it's on your computer, it causes problems.
A botnet is a group of computers that have been secretly taken over by a hacker. These "zombie" computers are then used together to do bad things online, often without their owners knowing.
Scareware tries to scare you into buying useless software. It might pop up fake warnings saying your computer is infected, hoping you'll pay for a "fix" that you don't need.

Overwhelming Attacks

Imagine trying to get into a popular store, but thousands of people suddenly rush the entrance all at once. That's kind of what a denial-of-service attack (DoS) or distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS) does to a website or online service. It sends so many requests that the system gets overloaded and can't work for anyone, including you. These attacks often use botnets.

Tricky Phishing Scams

Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving away private information, like your passwords or bank details. They often pretend to be someone you trust, like a popular website, a bank, or even a friend. They might send you a fake email or create a fake website that looks real. If you click on a link or enter your information, it goes straight to the attacker instead of the real site. Sometimes, the email address or website link might look a little off, so it's important to check carefully!

"Man in the Middle" Attacks

A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack is like someone secretly listening in on your private conversation online. A cybercriminal can sneak between you and the website or service you're using. They can then see, steal, or even change the information you're sending back and forth. This is why using public Wi-Fi without extra protection can be risky, as it's easier for these attacks to happen.

App Weaknesses

The apps and programs you use to go online can sometimes have hidden weaknesses, called vulnerabilities. These are like tiny holes in their security that clever attackers can find and use to take control of your computer. Keeping your apps updated helps fix these weaknesses.

Being Smart Online

One of the best ways to stay safe online is to be aware and know what to look for.

Spotting Phishing: Always check emails and messages carefully. Look for strange sender addresses, generic greetings (like "Dear User"), and urgent language that tries to rush you. If something feels off, it probably is!
Strong Passwords and Privacy: Always use strong, unique passwords for different accounts. Think about using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security, like needing a code from your phone after your password. Also, be careful what you share on social media and always check your privacy settings.
Safe Browsing: When you visit a website, look for "HTTPS" at the beginning of the web address and a padlock symbol in your browser. This means the connection is secure. Be careful about downloading files from unknown sources and always think before clicking on links, especially if they look suspicious. Using a VPN can also help protect your information when you're on public Wi-Fi.

How We Stay Safe Online

There are many tools and methods used to protect you from online dangers.

Protecting Your Data Flow

When information travels across the internet, it can be protected using special codes called cryptography. Think of it like putting your message in a secret language that only the right person can understand. Protocols like TLS (which replaced SSL) help keep your web browsing private, and PGP does the same for emails.

Planning for Safety

Threat modeling is like drawing a map of your online systems to find all the weak spots before a hacker does. It helps experts think ahead and fix potential security problems before they become real dangers.

Extra Security Steps

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds extra layers of security when you log in. Instead of just a password, it might ask for something else, like a code sent to your phone, a fingerprint scan, or even your face. This makes it much harder for someone else to get into your accounts, even if they know your password.

Security Tokens

Some websites let you use a small physical device called a security token. This token generates a new, random six-digit code every 30 to 60 seconds. You use this code along with your password to log in. Since the code changes so often, it's very secure.

Keeping Emails Safe

How Email Works

When you send an email, it travels through several steps. First, you write it. Then, your email program sends it to a server, which then forwards it to the recipient's server, and finally, to their inbox.

Using PGP for Email

Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) is a way to make your emails super private and secure. It can:

Sign your message: This is like putting a unique stamp on your email that proves it really came from you and hasn't been changed.
Encrypt your message: This scrambles the words in your email so only the person it's for can read it. It's like putting your message in a secret code.

These two methods are often used together. Sometimes, organizations also use a VPN to encrypt all emails sent between their servers, making the whole connection private.

Checking Message Authenticity

A Message Authentication Code (MAC) is another way to make sure an email or message is real and hasn't been tampered with. It uses a secret key to create a special code for the message. The person receiving the message can use the same secret key to check if the code matches, proving the message is authentic and hasn't been changed.

Digital Guards: Firewalls

A firewall is like a security guard for your computer or network. It's a piece of hardware or software that checks all the information trying to come in or go out. It only lets authorized traffic pass through, blocking anything suspicious.

How Firewalls Protect You

Firewalls create checkpoints between your computer or network and the internet. They can block traffic based on where it's coming from or what kind of information it is. They can also hide your internal network from the public internet, making it harder for outsiders to see what you're doing.

Types of Firewalls

Packet Filter: This is a basic firewall that checks each small piece of data (called a "packet") as it tries to enter or leave your network. It decides whether to let it through based on simple rules.
Stateful Packet Inspection: This is a smarter firewall. It keeps track of ongoing connections, so it knows if a data packet is part of a conversation you've already started. It can also hide your computer's unique internet address (IP address) from the outside world, adding an extra layer of privacy.
Application-Level Gateway: This is the most advanced type of firewall. It doesn't just look at individual data pieces; it understands the whole message or application you're using. It only allows connections that use known and safe internet protocols.

Choosing a Safe Browser

The web browser you use can also play a role in your online safety. Older or less secure browsers might be more vulnerable to attacks. It's always a good idea to use a modern, updated browser that has strong security features built in.

Tools to Protect Yourself

Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is like a doctor for your computer. It scans your devices to find and remove harmful programs (malware) before they can cause damage. It uses different techniques to spot these threats, like looking for known "signatures" of bad programs or noticing suspicious behavior.

Password Managers

A password manager is a helpful tool that creates, stores, and manages all your passwords for you. You only need to remember one strong "master password" to unlock the manager. This way, you can have unique, complex passwords for every website without having to remember them all yourself. They also encrypt your passwords, keeping them safe.

Security Suites

A security suite is like an all-in-one protection package for your computer. It combines several important security tools into one program, usually including an antivirus, a firewall, and anti-spyware. Some suites also offer extra features like protecting portable storage devices or helping you browse the internet privately.

A Look Back: How Online Security Started

The idea of keeping things safe online isn't new! Back in the 1970s, as computers started connecting more, companies began creating ways to protect information. In 1976, companies like Atalla Corporation and Bunker Ramo Corporation introduced some of the very first products designed for online security. Atalla later developed a special device called the Identikey, which helped process online bank transactions safely and could even change its own secret codes to stay secure. In 1979, Atalla also created the first network security processor, helping to guard entire computer networks.