Julia K Cole

While you’re putting on your costume and getting ready for trick-or-treaters, imagine creatures spookier than any you will see tonight… new devices and technologies that are tracking your every move! A world without privacy? It’scloser than you think. Data snatchers?? They are NOT science fiction. And they’re closer than you think. New technologies are making it easier for private companies and the government to learn about everything we do - in our homes, in our cars, in stores, and within our communities. As they collect vast amounts of data about us, things are getting truly spooky! Isn't it time we regained control over our personal information? New technologies   make it easier for private corporations and the government to access vast amounts of data about us. And the Internet of computers and phones is turning into the “Internet of Things.” Unless we take action, it can grow into a web of horrors. Click HERE to See video and sign petition! Source: ...

Did you know that October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month? Okay, maybe you knew about this, but I didn't.  Then again, October seems to be a busy month for Awareness campaigns.   At any rate... Seeing how   National Cyber Security Awareness Month is now drawing to an end, just keep in mind that it  does not mean the dangers are going away until next year.  The dangers are out there every day people!  So what can you do about it?  Take a little time to learn about the issues. You don’t have to be a “techie” to learn about current scams, dangers to your children, securing your computer, etc.  Here is a good, easy to follow website that will help you learn about all of these risks AND what to do  about them: http://www.onguardonline.gov It helps you find the answers for questions like:  How do I know if I have been hacked?  Why shouldn’t I use the coffee shop Wi-Fi to access my bank or pay my bills?  How can ...

I just took action to support consumer-friendly tax policies that will impact hundreds of millions of wireless consumers just like you. Please urge your Representative and Senators to support a permanent extension of the Internet tax moratorium. Your support is crucial to ensure this legislation is enacted that would protect you from having new taxes imposed on your Internet access and ensure Internet commerce will remain unhindered by discriminatory, duplicative taxes. To take action, Click here  or copy and paste the link below: http://act.mywireless.org/page/speakout/internet-tax-freedom-act-itfa Let's keep wireless affordable and accessible for ALL Americans. Source:  MyWireless.org  ~  America's Wireless Voice

Prevention 1. Increase Communication Initiate discussion about your children’s social and online lives on a regular basis. Ask specific questions that generate meaningful dialogue (e.g., instead of “How was school?,” try “What is lunchtime like at your school—who do you sit with, what do you do and what do you talk about?”). Make sure that your demeanor communicates genuine interest and openness as opposed to the desire to control or invade privacy.  2. Monitor Behavior Observe your children in different settings by volunteering at school, participating in extracurricular activities and being watchful during social gatherings. If you notice that your children are overly aggressive, vulnerable to peer pressure or exhibit other behavior that troubles you, talk to them about  your concerns and redirect the behavior. Be vigilant about the warning signs associated with bullying behavior (e.g., social withdrawal, fear of attending school, avoidance of or preoccupation with tec...

In this digital age, we rely on our computers and devices for so many aspects of our lives that the need to be  proactive and vigilant to protect against cyber threats has never been greater. However, in order to be as secure as  possible, we need to use good cyber hygiene – that is, making sure we are protecting and maintaining systems  and devices appropriately and using cyber security best practices. Many key best practices are outlined in the Top 20 Critical Security Controls, managed by the Council on  CyberSecurity. These Controls assist in mitigating the most prevalent vulnerabilities that often result in many of  today's cyber security intrusions and incidents. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) provides free, PDF-formatted  configuration guides (Benchmarks) that can be used to implement the Controls and improve cyber security. Secure Your Wireless Network  Before the days of wireless (Wi-Fi) home networks, it was rather easy to see wh...

A psychologist first coined the phrase "Internet addiction" in 1995, when the web was in its infancy. He meant it as a joke. But now, with the first hospital-based Internet addiction treatment center opening next week at the Behavioral Health Services at Bradford Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania, Internet addiction is no longer considered a laughing matter. The voluntary, 10-day in-patient treatment program will admit up to four people who have been diagnosed with severe Internet addiction. First, they'll undergo an extensive evaluation and a "digital detox" that prohibits phone, tablet or Internet use for at least 72 hours. Then they'll attend therapy sessions and educational seminars to help them get their Internet compulsion under control. Read More By Clicking HERE Or copy & paste URL:    http://abcnews.go.com/Health/hospital-opens-internet-addiction-treatment-program/story?id=20146923 Source:  ABC News Known as The...