Parental control protects children from cyber blackmail and various internet threats

Online threats and cyber blackmail crimes have increased significantly during the past period especially with the spread and growth of social media usage. These threats are not limited to a specific user segment or age category as they target everyone especially the young ones.

Cybercriminals spare no effort to find new ways that help them control digital devices and illegally access email and text messages or spy on children’s private online activities trying to steal their identity or access their financial information. Children are particularly vulnerable to this type of attacks as they can be easily lured by special offers or free games and they don’t re recognize the risk of exposure to viruses and scams.

Engineer Rakan Tarabzouni, Head of Windows OS & Devices at Microsoft Arabia stated that two types of online threats to children exist. The first is cyberbullying given that online environment has become an ideal platform for hostile acts and harassment of victims and it is undoubtedly parents’ responsibility to monitor their children’s online activities through activating the parental control feature. Moreover, it is critical to teach our young ones not to share any text or image or any other kind of private information which will cause harm or embarrass another person. Second threat is malware that includes hostile or intrusive software, spyware, viruses and hacking. Therefore, users and especially young ones must be aware of these threats which may lead them to fall inadvertently victims to cybercrime.

Speaking on protection solutions, Trabzouni said: “There are various ways to reduce the risks of online threats most of which are centered on educating children about the importance of being cautious not to share their sensitive information online including passwords. In addition, they have to think wisely before adding or accepting a friend request via social networks. The most important way to protect children is activating parental control software provided by Windows 10 in order to enhance the level of supervision and security of children online.”

“There are four basic principles to maintain children’s security on the internet and protect them from falling victims to cyberattacks or blackmail attempts. The first principle is to think before you post. Children should be educated that they should not follow any link or respond or open harmful messages. They must be always reminded not to share any information or images on the Internet even if they think it is a private message. It is also important to communicate with children on what they are doing on the Internet and constantly follow-up and monitor their online activity through parental control features but with their consent and knowledge that their parents are using this tool that monitors their activities online without intruding on their social privacy, in addition to blocking some websites and applications or games if needed,” he added.

“The second principle is configuring privacy settings. Parents must activate the Parental Control feature to set privacy settings and the amount of information that can be shared on social networking platforms or other applications. These settings will protect private information, such as content and data found on the used devices and stop location services.”

“The third principle is monitoring web browsing and the type of files being viewed by their children and what they are dealing with. There are a lot of malware, viruses, and tools to hack and collect information and these appear in the form of free games and applications that use their features and the privileges given by the user to access private information. Therefore, games, applications or music should only be downloaded from the official app store to ensure they are fully secured and protected. Last but not least, the fourth principle is centered on educating children and raising their awareness on online risks and that they should be taken seriously. Parents must know very well how to balance guidance with monitoring which is the mechanism of work used by Parental Control feature in Windows 10 to protect vulnerable young ones from the dangers that surround them on the Internet.

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