Going out onto the Internet

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Going out onto the Internet
Navigating the Internet is like navigating your neighbourhood. A little preparation and awareness makes it much safer.
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The Risks in the Browser
There are many threats on the Internet. Being aware of them can help you to avoid dangers and take action afterwards to minimize harm. Advertising, tracking, drive-by downloads, man-in-the-middle attacks, typo-squatting and phishing are all online dangers.
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What to Look for
Browsers contain tools to help you navigate the web safely. Use them consciously in combination with critical thinking for a safer web experience. Trust the browser but not the content of the page. Learn about the lock symbol and URL colours for your browser.
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Configuring the Browser
Dangerous websites are written with the same tools as legitimate websites, so it isn’t possible to turn off just the unsafe tools. Disable Java and make an informed choice about Cookies, JavaScript, advertising blocking and Flash.
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Putting it into Practice
Put what you have learned into practice. Remember to take care with the webpage address, look for security indicators, and warning messages when using an Internet browser.
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Going out onto the Internet
Navigating the Internet is like navigating your neighbourhood. A little prepartation and awareness makes it much safer.

Going out onto the Internet

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START THE QUIZ
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Advertising can be a potential security problem because:

It can carry malware
You might buy things you don’t need
Companies can send subliminal messages
It always is spying on you
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If you make a mistake when you type a web address incorrectly, it will autocorrect.

True
False
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A lock symbol on the page means that the page is safe.

True
False
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Security software will solve all of your security worries.

True
False
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There are security indicators in a bank webpage so you can tell if the page is counterfeit.

True
False
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Security seals in a webpage can be faked.

True
False
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If you turn off cookies, or opt out of tracking your privacy is guaranteed.

True
False
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Criminals always use bad grammar in phishing pages.

True
False
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Privacy mode in the browser provides:

Anonymity for whistle-blowers
Access to your private Internet
Discrete browsing by not keeping a history of browsing on the computer
Absolutely private browsing by hiding all record your activity
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Going out onto the Internet

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Advertising can be a potential security problem because:

It can carry malware

You might buy things you don’t need

Companies can send subliminal messages

It always is spying on you

Malvertising is malware distributed by the advertising in webpages.

If you make a mistake when you type a web address incorrectly, it will autocorrect.

True

False

Criminals and others will deliberately register web addresses with common typing errors to profit from the mistake with advertising, phishing or malware.

A lock symbol on the page means that the page is safe.

True

False

A lock symbol in the browser (outside of the page) can indicate that the connection is encrypted, but does not guarantee whom you are connected to. Be sure the lock icon is in the browser and not in the content of the page.

Security software will solve all of your security worries.

True

False

Even with security software you will still need to keep your computer updated and to think critically.

There are security indicators in a bank webpage so you can tell if the page is counterfeit.

True

False

Criminals can exactly copy the appearance of any page on the Internet quickly and easily.

Security seals in a webpage can be faked.

True

False

Criminals can exactly copy the appearance of any page on the Internet quickly and easily. This includes the security seals. Look for the indicators in the browser.

If you turn off cookies, or opt out of tracking your privacy is guaranteed.

True

False

There are many technologies that are used to track people online for advertising purposes. There is no guarantee that your browsing will not be tracked.

Criminals always use bad grammar in phishing pages.

True

False

Although it is common to see language mistakes in phishing pages, perfect writing is not a good indicator of safety

Privacy mode in the browser provides:

Anonymity for whistle-blowers

Access to your private Internet

Discrete browsing by not keeping a history of browsing on the computer

Absolutely private browsing by hiding all record your activity

Privacy mode will not provide anonymity or absolute privacy but it will reduce the amount of browsing tracking on the computer.

Cheat Sheet

The risks in the browser

Advertising, tracking, drive-by downloads, man-in-the-middle attacks, typo-squatting and phishing all present different types of dangers to be wary of online.

DO be aware of different types of threat so you can spot potential dangers to your information or your system.

What to look for

Browsers contain tools to help you navigate the web safely. Use them consciously in combination with critical thinking for a safer web experience.

DO look closely at the address bar to identify signs of security.

DO be careful to make sure you connect to the correct site.

Configuring the browser

Dangerous websites are written with the same tools as legitimate websites, so it isn’t possible to turn off just the unsafe tools. Learn what these tools are and how to make choices about what to allow in your browser.

DO disable Java and make an informed choice about Cookies, JavaScript, advertising blocking and Flash.

DO use the privacy mode to browse discreetly.

Putting it into practice

Put what you have learned into practice. Remember to take care with the webpage address, look for security indicators, and warning messages when using an Internet browser.

DO take care with the web address, look for security indicators and heed warning messages.

Glossary of Terms

Browser

A browser is a computer program or mobile app that is used to find and look at information on the Internet.

Cache

A cache is where a device can temporarily store some data to speed up future requests.

Certificate

Electronic certificates are used to verify the identity of a webpage.

Cookie

A small piece of information stored on a persons browser for use by a website.

Domain name

The name given to help find a computer on the Internet (e.g. serene-risc.ca).

Drive-by-download

A drive-by-download attack infects your computer with malware just by visiting a page.

Encryption

A process of converting information to a form unreadable to untrusted parties that still contains the original information and is able to be read by the intended recipient.

Extended validation certificate

A certificate that shows that website has gone through some extra validation process to confirm that it is legitimate and indicates the owner of the page.

IP address

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a set of numbers that a device (computer, printer, etc.) on the Internet uses to identify itself (e.g. 206.167.212.121).