Betty teaches you the importance of keeping your OFFLINE identity separate from your ONLINE identity
Betty
Cyber Defender & Clubhouse Supervisor
Betty learned the hard way about sharing too much information online when rumors she had spread through her online blog upset some of her friends. Since then she has made it her goal to educate everyone about what information is inappropriate or unsafe to share online to prevent others from getting hurt.
As a Cyber Defender, Betty focuses on the most important information you should never share online, your offline identity.
A stumble may prevent a fall
- English Proverb
Tea and crumpets
Interests:Chatting, macrame, collecting teacups
April 29 2008
Safe Online Communication: Blogs
If you've been checking the monthly Ask Omni feature, than you should know that a blog is a personal Web site where you can post entries containing text, pictures, links, or video for anyone in Cyberspace to see. In fact, you're reading one right now!
Many people use their blog like an online journal and write about things they do, places they visit, or just their daily thoughts and feelings. While this can be nice because it allows them to share their lives with others in Cyberspace, it can also be extremely dangerous because blogs make it very easy to share personal information. Just mentioning that you like to visit the library can help lead a weirdo stranger to you, especially if you post about it frequently. The more information you reveal on your blog, the easier it is for someone to trick you or figure out how to hurt you.
Blogs also make it very easy for cyber bullies to hurt other people. Some blogs allow visitors to leave comments, but cyber bullies will abuse these and leave mean comments. Be careful not to turn into a cyber bully yourself, too! If you post rumors about someone or reveal their secrets on your blog, they can find out and be very hurt by your words. You could get into trouble with your parents or school or even lose your friendship. Some people have even lost their jobs or were not accepted to their top choice college because of what they posted to their blogs. You need to be very careful about what information you share in Cyberspace. It's impossible to take something back once it's on the Internet, whether you meant it or not.
posted by Betty
topics: Safe Online Communication
April 24 2008
Having Fun
With all the tension from expecting the next Cyber Villain attack, everyone is getting a bit grumpy. So I decided to put together one last party. It's a bit of a risk, but everyone needs to blow off some steam, right?
The party will be on May 1st. This time there is no lesson plan. Let's just get together and have some fun while we still can.
posted by Betty
topics: Miscellaneous
April 18 2008
Lines of Communication
I've been talking to Commander Omni about our plans for communication during the upcoming battle. We decided to have everyone use a piece of software Dr. Keen created for us. It's like an instant messenger, but only cadets and Cyber Defenders can use it.
I will be managing the system from inside the Clubhouse. We've tested the program stringently and doubt the Cyber Villains will be able to crack it.
posted by Betty
topics: Miscellaneous
April 15 2008
Personal Information: What exactly IS personal information?
If you haven't completed your Communications Level 1 training mission yet, all this talk about personal information might be confusing to you. I'll try to clarify what we mean by personal information and also to explain why it's so very dangerous to share it in Cyberspace.
Personal information is any information about you that can be used to identify you or find out where you are. This includes not only the obvious things like your full name and your address, but some other less-obvious things, like your car's license plate number or what sports team you play on.
Really sneaky Cyber Criminals and weirdo strangers will use everything they know about you, from your alias to your favorite food, to try to trick and harm you. Knowing your personal information just makes it that much easier. They might try to find out where you live and come break into your house, or try to steal your money, your identity, or your car. They might even lie to you about how old they are and try to get you to meet with them in person to hurt you or even kidnap you. The more personal information you reveal in Cyberspace, the more in danger you are putting yourself and your family in.
You can refer to Hint Sheet #2 for a list of examples of personal information. I'd recommend printing it out and keeping it near your computer as a reminder. You can also read all my blog posts on personal information to learn more.
posted by Betty
topics: Personal Information
April 10 2008
Training
I've been doing my own thinking about how I can do my part in the battle. I was never much of a fighter. So I've been asking Ward to drop by and give me sparring lessons. Several of the cadets have since joined me and now it's almost an official sport.
If you want to do your part in the final battle, join me after class for a little sparring session. We will find the strength in true teamwork.
posted by Betty
topics: Miscellaneous
April 3 2008
Coordinating Efforts
Now I know things look grim out there. We have six Cyber Villains getting ready to break into this place (Nils, Elvirus, Ms. Information, M. C. Spammer and the DisGuys). But now is not the time to panic. We can beat them all with your help.
Maya is currently working on a database that includes Nils and the rest of the Cyber Villains. If you haven't seen her already, drop by and let her know about anything that you think might be relevant in our fight against these foes.