Maya

Maya
Cyber Defender & Databank Supervisor

Because of her unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Maya started out as a librarian. While she loved her job, she wanted to do more to help protect people.

Since Cyber Villains such as Ms. Information and Elvirus can corrupt websites and the information on them, Maya teaches people to protect themselves by using caution when visiting websites and avoiding sites that are not trustworthy.

Favorite Quote:

Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime
- Chinese Proverb

Favorite Food:

Anything chocolate

Interests:

Browsing bookstores, baking

March 31 2009

Cyber Terminology: What is Encryption?

Encryption is the process of transforming text or data into an unreadable form. Only certain people can make it readable again, using a process called decryption. Only people with special software can decode encrypted digital data, making it harder for cyber criminals to steal personal information by spying on other people's Internet activities.

Before the Internet, encryption was mostly used by cryptographers trying to protect military and government secrets. Now that people use the Internet every day to access sensitive information, like their bank accounts and email messages, encryption has become vitally important for protecting your privacy and personal information online. Before you enter any sensitive information such as a password or account number into a Web site, check to make sure it will be encrypted before it is sent through the Internet to protect yourself.

posted by Maya
topic: Cyber Terminology

March 27 2009

Misinformation no more

Congratulations, Cyber Defenders! Job well done!

I'm hoping, now that Ms. Information has been captured, that our job of filtering through Web sites will be a little easier now. She won't be making any fake Web sites and false information in the near future, so we should just have to clean up the mess she's already made. Alexi will still need to be on her toes, but it's one step in the right direction.

posted by Maya
topic: Miscellaneous

March 17 2009

Using the Web: Libraries

I love libraries, there's something so comforting and inspiring about being around all that knowledge, history, and creativity. But I remember well from my days as a librarian that it can be incredibly frustrating when your library doesn't have the book you need. That's why I love the Internet. Libraries around the whole world can make their catalogs and materials available on the Web, and all you have to do is visit their Web site!

If you're looking for a specific book, CD, or video, WorldCat.org lets you search through the catalogs of the libraries in your area. Depending on the library, you might even be able to check the book out online or view a digital version of the book. In addition to their book catalog, some library sites also have useful information like research tips and homework help.

Here's just a few online library sites you might find useful:

  • Library of Congress - has electronic versions of a number of their books in their Digital Collections section, as well as resources for kids in their Kids and Families section
  • America's Library - presented by the Library of Congress, this site is full of information about American history
  • Internet Public Library - an online public library developed and maintained by university students, you can also ask a librarian a question or research by topic in the KidSpace section
  • Librarian's Internet Index - a collection of links to useful research sites that have been selected by a team of librarians

posted by Maya
topic: Using the Web