Insider secrets from an Ethical Hacker on Internet Safety

Discover insider secrets from an ethical hacker to safeguard devices, protect digital data, and maintain online privacy as parents bridge the tech gap and defend against ransomware and scams.

Barbara Niven endorses an internet safety course by ethical hacker Terry Cutler, offering practical steps to protect families and companies from online threats, including online bullying.

Open the start menu and run Windows Update on Windows 7. Check the update date, enable Windows and Office updates, and set the 3 am schedule to guard against viruses.

Enable automatic updates on Windows 10, include updates for other Microsoft parts, and share updates across your local network to speed patch deployment.

Update your Mac to guard against vulnerabilities and ransomware by enabling automatic App Store updates and OSX updates via System Preferences.

Learn how to download, install, and enable Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7, opt into the customer experience program, trust the app, and run real-time threat scans.

Secure Windows 7, 8, and 10 by switching from administrator to standard user via the advanced user control panel, and prevent virus infections by avoiding unnecessary admin prompts.

Learn to verify and enable the built-in Windows firewall across Windows 7, 8, and 10, and understand how a router firewall protects a home network from internet threats.

Learn to scan your computer for misconfigurations using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, identify missing updates, and configure password policies to improve internet safety.

Craft a nearly unbreakable password by using a 16–25 character phrase, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols, substituting o with 0 and a with symbols, plus a final symbol.

Learn to back up data regularly, lock your screen, manage passwords, use a cable lock, and avoid public wifi.

Learn how to update and secure Google Chrome by adjusting privacy settings, cookies, site data, clear browser data, pop-ups, location tracking, history, extensions, and staying up to date.

Update and secure Firefox by enabling auto updates, blocking dangerous content and popups, and warn about add-ons. Use password management to store logins safely.

Update Safari by checking App Store updates and applying any system updates, then configure security and privacy settings to block pop-ups and deny location tracking.

Update Internet Explorer to the new version automatically, adjust security levels across zones (local internet, trusted sites, restricted sites, intranet) in Internet Options, and enable pop-up blocker and SmartScreen filter.

See how an ethical hacker demonstrates how quickly personal data can be exposed in online chats and profiles, revealing names, emails, and locations, underscoring internet safety.

Learn to refine Google searches to reveal personal information, using exact-phrase searches, minus results, and image reverse search to uncover identifiable data, fake profiles, and privacy risks.

Decode chat room lingo and netspeak to understand age, sex, location acronyms, emojis, and sexting terms, enabling parents to spot red flags and report concerns.

Learn to install Google Chrome and enable Chrome's built-in password manager, securely synchronize passwords across devices, and manage saved credentials. Retrieve passwords from passwords.google.com and enable two-step verification.

Explore edge's built-in password manager and data synchronizer, and learn how to enable saving passwords and view them via credential manager after unlocking with the Windows OS password.

Learn practical steps to clean up a hacked email account by reviewing activity logs and changing security settings. Enable two-step verification, update passwords, and verify forwarding and filters.

Learn how to enable two-factor authentication for social media by pairing your password with a code sent to your mobile phone, strengthening login security.

Enable Google two-step verification to protect accounts from password hacks, requiring a one-time code sent to your mobile device during sign-in.

Learn to enable two-step verification for iCloud by signing in, accessing security settings, verifying your identity with security questions and a code, adding trusted devices, and saving the recovery key.

Enable two-step verification on Facebook and activate logon approvals to require a security code for unknown browsers, reinforced by text message approvals to protect your profile.

Enable two-factor authentication on Instagram to add an extra security layer by entering your phone number, following steps from your profile settings.

Learn to enable two-step verification on Twitter by adding a phone number, verifying codes, saving changes, and securing backup codes to protect your account.

Enable two-step verification on LinkedIn by navigating to account management, opening privacy and security settings, and adding your phone number to receive and enter the verification code.

Perform a Facebook privacy checkup to prevent oversharing personal information by locking down posts to friends, tightening app permissions, using custom sharing, and enabling two-step verification.

Discover how to spot fake dating profiles using image searches and cross-site checks. Apply safety tips: leave if something feels off, bring friends, and always meet in public.

Examine case studies and the six online victimization techniques predators use to groom kids, identify at-risk profiles and perfect victims, and gain parent-focused safety tips and resources.

Learn how to audit your child's online posts, spot potential predator profiles, and understand the four danger categories—travelers, collectors, manufacturers, and chadors—to safeguard kids from online exploitation.

Learn how online predators befriend children, use reconnaissance information and shared interests to lure them, gather incriminating evidence, isolate victims, and threaten sextortion, with tips for guardians to recognize threats.

Understand why higher-priced routers emphasize wireless performance and how a central home router connects devices. Explore internet of things security risks and basics for securing ports and access.

Change the router’s default admin credentials and set a strong WPA personal password, enable firewall and MAC filtering, enable guest networks, and apply parental controls to harden your home network.

Protect your data on public wifi by spotting fake hotspots, understanding man-in-the-middle risks, and using secure connections with lock icons or a personal hotspot.

The lecture reveals how cyber criminals use scams and ransomware to profit, illustrating common attack vectors like online shopping, email, and social media, and how to defend with strong passwords.

Learn how phishing scams imitate trusted sources via email or social networks to steal login credentials for banks, social networks, and work accounts, with ethical hacking demonstrations on defense.

Spot phone scams impersonating Microsoft or Apple, requesting remote access and credit card details, and beware text message fraud and online shopping scams.

Discover how a child's social insurance number can be used to open phones and credit, remaining undetected for about 18 years, and stress monitoring and protection for kids.

Explore how to spot email scams by checking the from address and domain, hover over links to verify legitimacy, and avoid zip-file attachments that may carry a ransom or virus.