The Smart Parent Guide to Digital Literacy

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If you are the parent of a child or teen who uses the internet, here are some stats you need to know:

Stats About Teens and the Internet

  • Teens think that the internet is mostly private
  • They also think that they can make the best decisions for their life online
  • They believe they are safe online and that people are who they say they are
  • They don’t feel at risk if “friending” perfect strangers
  • They feel like since they are probably better at understanding technology, they can make better decisions than their parents about what’s best practice for online behavior

These are obviously naïve views of the digital world and if parents don’t fully explain why these views aren’t just wrong, but dangerous, then the parent is setting up their child for failure.

Make sure that you are keeping the lines of communication open with your kids about their internet use. Explain the risks involved and share stories of other teens who have found trouble online.

Internet Rules that Parents Should Consider

It is recommended by experts that parents set up rules for their kids in regards to internet use. Here are some:

  • Know every password that your kid has and use those passwords to check on their accounts.
  • Don’t let kids use social media, text friends, or chat online until they are in 9th or 10th grade, and never let kids use apps or sites that allow for anonymous communication.
  • There is NO reason why your 13 year old needs to be head deep in Snapchat or TikTok. NONE. Nothing good will come from it.
  • Give your kids a time limit for internet use
  • Don’t allow your kids to respond to messages from strangers, and never “friend” strangers.
  • Never give out any personal information, such as address or phone number, online.
  • Always be respectful and kind to others online; bullying should NEVER be allowed.
  • Do not allow your children to know your passwords.
  • Do not allow kids to use have access to their devices at all times. Have family time with no screens. i.e. game night, a walk to the local park, etc.
  • No phones in the bedroom. Buy laptops, not desktops. Laptops shouldn’t be allowed in the bedroom after homework is done.
  • No photos should be posted to an internet site without permission of parents.
  • Always check text messages, chat logs, or any other communication online, and make sure that kids understand that there will be consequences if they delete the messages.
  • Don’t allow kids to download any apps or software without your permission.

Don’t Make These Mistakes

  • Don’t give your child a traditional smart phone before 9th You can give them a feature-phone, that you have full access to, however.
  • Don’t give your child internet access that is unmonitored.
  • Don’t allow your kids to use the internet in closed rooms or in areas where you can’t see what they are doing.
  • Don’t allow them to play online games where chat is enabled, as these are common targets for sexual predators.

Just because other families are breaking most of these rules, doesn’t mean your family needs to. Don’t be cattle or sheep. Lead by example.

ROBERT SICILIANO CSP, is a #1 Best Selling Amazon author, CEO of CreditParent.com, the architect of the CSI Protection certification; a Cyber Social and Identity Protection security awareness training program.

What is Two-Factor Authentication and How Does it Work?

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There are a number of ways that you can protect yourself online, and one of the things you can do is to start using two-factor authentication.

You probably have seen two-factor authentication even if you aren’t sure what it is. For instance, if you do online banking, your bank might text a code to your phone or email when you try to change the password. This is two-factor authentication. It’s basically just an extra step that confirms that you are the account owner. This makes it more difficult for hackers to get into your account, too. Not only do they need a password, they also need access to your smart phone or email account.

These Critical Websites need Two Step Authentication

Most large websites have the option for two-factor authentication. Each company name is linked to their specific instruction.  Here’s how to set it up:

Apple ID

You can use two-factor authentication on your iCloud, iPhone or iPad:

  • Click on “Settings,” “Security,” and then “Turn on two-factor authentication.”
  • Enter a phone number
  • Look at your text, enter the code, and you are good to go

Facebook

  • Log into your Facebook account. Click on “Settings,” “Security and Login.”
  • Choose “Use two-factor authentication,” and then click “edit.”
  • Select the method. There are several options including texts, apps, and code generators.
  • Follow the instructions shown on the screen.
  • Click “Enable.”

Gmail

You can set up two-factor authentication for Gmail and Google accounts.

  • Navigate to the Google page for two-step authentication.
  • Click “Get started.”
  • Follow on-screen instructions to turn the feature on.

Yahoo

  • Sign into your account
  • Click “Account security.”
  • Look for “two-step verification,” and make sure it’s “on.”
  • Enter your phone number, and choose text message or phone call
  • Enter the code, and then click on “Verify.”

Instagram

If you use Instagram, you can also set up two-factor authentication:

  • Log into your account on Instagram.
  • Navigate to your profile and choose your operating system.
  • Scroll down until you see “two-factor authentication.”
  • Click on “require security code.”
  • Enter a phone number if one is not there. Click “Next.”
  • You will get a code to your phone. Enter it, and then click “Next.”

Twitter

If you use Twitter, you can also set up two-factor authentication. However, there are different steps to take depending on how you access the site, either from a laptop or PC, an iPhone, or an Android. You can learn about setting two-factor authentication up by visiting the Help Center.

Here are a few more important sites that require a more in-depth explanation:

Linkedin

Paypal

Ebay

Amazon

ROBERT SICILIANO CSP, is a #1 Best Selling Amazon author, CEO of CreditParent.com, the architect of the CSI Protection certification; a Cyber Social and Identity Protection security awareness training program.

Disinformation i.e. FAKE NEWS: How the Weaponization of Social Media Has You Conned

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This post takes a hard and honest look at whats happening right now. You either “get it” or you are a victim of whats going on. Victims who read this will trash it and deny the reality of what they read. Denial is warm and comfortable. The truth is cold and can hurt. And nobody likes to admit they are wrong, ever. So I expect plenty of haters.

“People are much like cattle or sheep; they just want to be led.”

The author of that controversial and maybe offensive quote is the author of this article. Maybe YOU aren’t like cattle or sheep, but most are. The problem with this sentiment is that some cowpokes and herders may use evil methods to lead their herd for their personal gain. In the digital age, this is done most effectively via disinformation weaponized with social media.

Here’s How It’s Done: 

Cambridge Analytica, on behalf of its clients, scientifically weaponized social media using disinformation to win elections. It was first tested in third world countries and then with Brexit and most recently to win the United States presidential election. Here’s a breakdown of what is believed to be the basis of how it used social influence to change hearts and minds.

Company leaders understood that the weaponization of social media is “the act of manipulating facts by spreading disinformation for propaganda”. This act is accomplished by;

  • a coordinated effort using viral memes,
  • emotionally charged videos,
  • and clickbait headlines.

Confidence Trick

Fundamentally, disinformation is a confidence trick or scam. The motivation of a conman is to influence their mark enough to gain the confidence of the victim. The conman wants to be trusted. Once the conman has the trust of their target, it’s like taking candy from a baby.

Divide and Conquer via Disinformation

The desired outcome of disinformation by its author is to divide and conquer or rule the persons who are manipulated by it. The Oxford definition of “divide and conquer” is the policy of “maintaining control over one’s subordinates or subjects by encouraging dissent between them”. In other words, from the perspective and motivation of the conman, “don’t trust them, trust me.”

I REPEAT: 

The desired outcome of disinformation by its author is to divide and conquer or rule the persons who are manipulated by it. The Oxford definition of “divide and conquer” is the policy of “maintaining control over one’s subordinates or subjects by encouraging dissent between them”. In other words, from the perspective and motivation of the conman, “don’t trust them, trust me.”

Can you see exactly how Divide and Conquer and don’t trust them, trust me is being played out every single day in our current political climate with the impeachment hearings? The administrations own cabinet, the people and professionals hired to do the job they are doing, are being deposed and are publicly confirming what was said in the call. The administration is saying don’t trust them, trust me. Thats pure Disinformation.

Disinformation i.e. Dezinformatsiya

Disinformation, fundamentally, is lying. Disinformation used to be spread by the spoken word only.  But with the invention of the printed word and the press, disinformation was spread using pamphlets, leaflets, books, magazines, political cartoons, and in planted clandestine newspaper articles. Agents of influence, political spies, and journalists can all be used to spread disinformation. Digitally, social media spreads disinformation like the proverbial wildfire.

The birth of the word “disinformation” comes from the Russian word (dez-inform-ahhT-see-ahh) dezinformatsiya. Joseph Stalin coined the term in 1923 derived from the title of the KGB black propaganda “special disinformation office” department. Disinformation was formally defined in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia in 1952 as “false information with the intention to deceive public opinion”.

Disinformation is meant to instill fear and confuse its intended target by blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Disinformation’s primary purpose is to spread conspiracy theories that isolate readers and viewers from alternative viewpoints to create a cloud of confusion and paranoia.

Disinformation in Mainstream Media

Can you see where in our culture, right now, which leg or legs of our media might isolate readers and viewers from alternative viewpoints to create a cloud of confusion and paranoia? If you can’t, then you are a victim of Disinformation. You are being led. You are sheep.

When you see disinformation, which is born a lie that you believe to be the truth, and you agree with it and then support it by liking it and sharing it, you are then a victim of it and a perpetrator of the confidence crime that the disinformation is.

The 5 P’s of Persuasion

Heres how minds are manipulated;

Persuasion

When you are of a particular belief…or persuasion…it means that you have already made up your mind. An example of this is of the Republican persuasion or the Democratic persuasion. Another definition of persuasion is the act of influencing another person to change their mind or to do something they might not do without your influence.

Psychographics

This is the study of people based on their aspirations, attitudes, and other criteria. It is especially the case in market research. The study of psychographics is a methodology that is used to describe a person based on their psychological attributes. The method has been applied to studying values, attitudes, personality, opinions, lifestyles, and interests.

Psychological Operations (PSYOPS)

Psychological operations, or PSYOPS, are used to convey certain pieces of indicators and information to an audience to influence their motives, objective reasoning, and emotions. It can ultimately affect the behavior of organizations, governments, individuals, and groups.

Psychological Warfare

The act of psychological warfare is the planned use of threats, propaganda, or other non-combat techniques during the danger of war or even during a war. It can also apply to any time of political unrest to demoralize, intimidate, or influence the behavior or thinking of the enemy.

Propaganda

Propaganda is defined as information that has no objectivity and is used to influence a specific audience or to further an agenda. This is often done by presenting selective facts to encourage a particular perception or synthesis, or by using loaded language to create an emotional instead of a rational response to the given information.

Propaganda Comes in Many Flavors.

White propaganda is information that is purposefully put out by a known transparent source and credited by its origin. The information intends to express a valid option of its author. An example would be a political ad put out by the “Jane Smith” political campaign designed to discredit her opponent and at the conclusion the video stating “Brought to you by the campaign to elect Jane Smith.”

Grey Propaganda is when the source of information is not expressed nor credited, and the identity of the source is concealed. The information shown does not have to be inaccurate as it could be true or false. An example might be a local small business putting out an ad about a competitor revealing the competitor uses inferior materials. This information may be correct, but the author, to avoid backlash, doesn’t want to admit they placed the ad.

Black propaganda is false information that is designed to look like it was created by those it is intended to discredit. For example, a meme or video that might appear to come from the Black Lives Matter network that may express images or video sanctioning black people attacking white people. Obviously, it is not in the best interests of a movement designed to accelerate civil rights to put out media of this kind. But if it says in the video “Brought to you by Black Lives Matter” and its spread via social media, it will inevitably spread disinformation to discredit the group.

Are You Sheep? 

The questions then are; Are you aware of what is disinformation? Or are you sheep? Don’t shoot the messenger please. I’m only trying to shine a light on the fraud that you might be a victim of.

ROBERT SICILIANO CSP, is a #1 Best Selling Amazon author, CEO of CreditParent.com, the architect of the CSI Protection certification; a Cyber Social and Identity Protection security awareness training program.

DoorDash Admits 4.9 Million Affected by Data Breach

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DoorDash has admitted that it has been the victim of a data breach, which has affected about 4.9 million merchants and people.

In a recent blog post, DoorDash announced that it noticed some odd activity early in September from a third-party service. After looking into it, the company found that an unauthorized third party was accessing user data from DoorDash on May 4, 2019. DoorDash immediately took steps to stop any future access and to improve security.

Those who were affected by this breach joined DoorDash on April 5, 2018 or before. Those who joined after that specific date were not part of this breach. The company said it will contact those customers who were affected.

This breach involved data including email addresses, names, order history, delivery addresses, phone numbers, and encrypted passwords. In some situations, bank account numbers and the last four digits of payment cards were also released. Additionally, the driver’s license numbers of approximately 100,000 delivery people were accessed. Bank account information and full payment card numbers were not compromised.

This data is called PII or Personal Identifying Information that could be used to open new accounts, take over existing or “socially engineer” you. Going forward, as with all data breaches be on the lookout for scammy emails and phone calls. Be suspect every time the phone rings and make sure unless you are 100% sure, you aren’t clicking links in emails even if you recognize the sender.

DoorDash also said that it has added additional layers of security in order to protect the data of its customers, and it has improved the protocols that are used to get access to this data. The company has also told customers that it is a smart idea to change their passwords, even if they were not affected.

ROBERT SICILIANO CSP, is a #1 Best Selling Amazon author, CEO of CreditParent.com, the architect of the CSI Protection certification; a Cyber Social and Identity Protection security awareness training program.