Cyberwellness

Choose 2 topics from Cyberwellness
Topic

• Cyberbullying
• Danger with Cyber Contacts
• Computer Security
• Copyright
• Internet Addiction

I am going to choose the topics Computer Security and Danger with Cyber Contacts.

Computer security:
Computer security is any software that protects you from viruses. There are different types of virus like Trojan horse,adware,spyware and computer worms.

Spyware disguises itself as a software in the computer.It can be a MP3 file or something else. But its intentions is the same. It takes your passwords and credit card numbers from the computer and uses them.
It can be removed by anti-spyware programs.

Computer worms are a self replicating malware computer program.They spread but do not alter the systems they pass through.However,almost all worms affects the network.Worms like Morris worm and Mydoom can cause major disruption to the network.Worms can be sent through email or created by the worm author.The worm creates a backdoor in the infected computer to allow creation of a "zombie" computer.They are used by spam senders to send junk email or to cloak their websites address.

Trojan horse is a kind of malware that looks legal and can be downloaded but it actually allows the hacker to access the system.It can display advertisements on the desktop or in uncontrollable pop-ups or it may download a toolbar on the user's web browser without telling the user first.The hacker can do various things using the horse.It can be installed through software downloads,email attachments etcetra.It can only be removed if you install anti-virus software or you erase all data from the hard disk.

Adware is a software which displays itself in the form of advertisements.Most are not malicious but some adware may come with integrated spyware.Some adware may also be classified as malware.There are programs developed to remove adware such as Ad-Aware,Spybot-Search and Destroy etc.

As there are many viruses on the net,one must be careful with what you download online.It would be best if you do not download anything at all or you make sure its safe first.Also,to stop pop-ups from popping up,the best would be to adjust your internet settings to block pop-ups.Now on to my next topic!

Danger with Cyber Contacts:
There are two types of cyber contacts.First is the type whom you know in real life and online.Second is the type that you only know them online and not in real life.

The first type you know you can trust as you have met them in real life before,for example,your friends.While for the second type,you cannot trust them as you have not met them before.They might be giving you false details about themselves.Then they will ask you to reveal your details.This can put us and our families into danger.So I will give you some advice!

Firstly,to protect yourselves,do not share personal details like your name,age,home address,email address,photographs or passwords when visiting websites or chat rooms.Set your profile to private setting and do not accept any stranger as your online friend.Only visit chat rooms or social networking sites that your parents have approved.

Secondly,if ever any of your cyberpals ask you to meet them,decline or either get your parents to go with you.It is also best to tell your parents to get their permission.Also,if you really want to go,do so in a public place for example a shopping mall where you are familiar in.As a shopping mall has crowds,it is best to go there as if the person is telling a lie and tries to steal from you,he/she will not be able to escape.

Lastly,be wary of any cyberpal that speaks bad about your friends or your family.Leave the chat room immediately if the conversation is making you uncomfortable,weird,afraid or confused.Say No firmly if the person is trying to persuade you into meeting up or to give him/her personal details.Leave the chat room if the person persists.

That's all I have for this post!See you next time!