Mental Look Ups |

Protecting Your Kids Online

December 28, 2018 , Pamela M

Everyone knows that you can’t have your eyes on your children 24/7, especially if they are in school and spending time away from home. Sometimes it must be enough to educate your kids as best as possible, exercise reasonable care, and hope for the best. Parents should teach kids how to be safe online, especially since children spent a great deal of time on the Internet. It’s true that kids are generally more tech savvy than their parents. But that tech know-how doesn’t have anything to do with being safe online. Kids are trusting and naïve. They need watchdogs to protect them.

Safe Sites

There have been safeguards for kids almost since the Internet was invented. However, those tech savvy kids can get around those blocks with little effort. Before turning your kid loose on the internet, set strict guidelines including the amount of time spent online as well as which sites are acceptable and safe.

Steps to Take

Use safety features on websites. Let’s use YouTube as an example since it’s one of the most popular sites. If you’re using a desktop, scroll down to the bottom of the screen to the “Restricted Mode” setting. This setting will hide videos that contain inappropriate content. For the mobile app, click on the three dots (top right) to get to Settings > General. Scroll down until you see the “Restricted Mode” option.
Set privacy controls on social media accounts. First, make sure that the children are old enough and mature enough to use social media. Discuss what is appropriate and limit who can see their posts.
Use separate accounts for adults and kids.
Set up separate accounts for your kids on your computers
Use kid-safe search engines and browsers.
Limit the time your child spends online.
Use only safe chat rooms
Teach your children not to talk to strangers. While great friendships can be made online, there is a great danger that children are being approached by predators. Teach kids to maintain a safe distance. If the stranger wants your child to call or text, iPhone app to see who a phone number belongs to and note it just in case.
Teach your children about “sexting.” The Justice Department has stated that the biggest threat to children is something called “sextortion.” People send graphic messages or pictures which can cause lasting psychological damage.
Avoid file sharing. Aside from being illegal, sharing files, e.g., music, videos, etc. can be a doorway to getting a virus on your phone or computer.
Discuss cyberbullying. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have reported that cyberbullying affects up to 15% percent of children. The percentage is higher for kids who are minorities, disabled, overweight, or LGBTQ.

For more tips, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Information website.

Posted in: Mental Look Ups, Search Your Mind , Tagged: Internet, kid safe sites, passwords, predators, protecting kids, safeguards, tech savvy

Cyberstalkers and Their Victims

October 30, 2018 , Pamela M

Cyberstalking is the use of social media, phone calls, text messages, email, and other forms of technology to threaten, harass, pursue, intimidate or steal a person’s information for personal gain. For that reason, anyone who uses the Internet can be a target. Cyberstalkers are often driven by jealousy, anger, hatred, infatuation, revenge, and lust or obsession. Some might suffer from mental illness. Some cyberstalkers, known as Internet Trolls, will harass Internet users for no good reason. A cyberstalker could be a stranger, but most likely is someone the victim knows. The stalker could be an ex, someone from school, co-worker, someone with whom you’ve had an argument or fight, or even a fan or potential love interest.

The Four Types of Cyberstalkers

Cyberstalkers cause a lot of trouble for their victims with rumors, false allegations, lies, harassment, or even identity theft. Cyberstalking can include cyberbullying, which takes place between kids. Cyberstalking may also include inappropriate actions, including those of a sexual nature. Research has shown that there are four basic types of cyberstalkers. They are:

Vindictive: Cyberstalkers who want to get revenge or harm another person. They often engage in personal attacks;
Composed: Those whose want to annoy the victim;
Intimate: One who wants to have a relationship (friendship or love) with the victim. Therefore, cyberstalkers can turn violent if turned away;
Collective: A group of cyberstalkers who attack an individual or group for a specific cause.

The Harmful Result

Stalking causes a great deal of harm to the victim. It can ruin marriages, self-esteem, careers, or someone’s credit. Cyberbullies have been the cause of many children committing suicide. Obsessions can move from cyberspace to real-world stalking. Cyberstalkers may claim that they mean no harm, although what is being done may be extremely harmful and often illegal. Victims may not know they are being stalked. The stalker could use spyware or other means of tracking Internet use behind the scenes. You should increase your security if you think that you are being tracked in some way. Take extra precautions.

Precautions

Protect yourself by taking simple precautions. Regardless of how careful you are, it’s possible to become a target. However, you can avoid becoming a victim of cyberstalking, despite the method used to target you.

Restrict access to your computer, smartphone, and other devices. Leaving your computer open can allow hackers to alter the system and add software for tracking purposes.
Password protection. You should protect all devices with unique passwords to keep from being stalked. Use a web-based password vault to store passwords and change passwords often. Never use the same password for more than one program. Above all, avoid using passwords such as children’s or pets’ names or birthdays.
Sign out of computer programs when finished, especially on social media accounts.
Search your name online to see what information is available to the public. Do the same for family members.
Tell friends and family that you do not want your personal information on their social media accounts. Remove such info wherever possible.
Keep online calendars and plans private.
Post with care. If you post something, it is nearly impossible to take it back. This includes photographs.
Don’t announce travel plans or sharing where you will be on a certain date and time.
Use anti-virus, spyware, malware and anti-tracking software on all devices.
Teach children how to be smart about Internet use and to report any strange behavior immediately.
Don’t give out personal information such as your address, social security number, or bank information.
Hackers can obtain all information provided online.
Don’t get involved in online arguments.
Never open attachments from unknown sources.
Use screen names that are age and gender neutral.
Check the status of bank and credit card accounts on a regular basis.
Set up new emails for dating websites and social media accounts.

Cyberstalked? Now What?

If you see signs of cyberstalking, act right away. Police and other agencies often have cyber divisions that can help with the legal aspects of the crime and how to protect yourself.

Take suspicions seriously.
Report any possible illegal activity.
Avoid any contact with suspected cyberstalkers.
Record and block any email or phone numbers used to contact you with harassing messages. Use an iPhone cell phone trace app to check unknown numbers.
Change your account passwords.
Change email accounts.
Remove personal information on social media profiles and dating websites.
Reset privacy settings on all accounts and programs.
Delete online accounts if necessary.
Inform family and friends of the event.
Be aware of any real-life stalking activity.

In conclusion, it seems that cyberstalking is here to stay. However, if you are mindful, you can stay safe.

Posted in: Cell Phone, Mental Look Ups , Tagged: cyberstalking, hacking, Internet, phishing, smishing, social media

How To Find Out Where A Call Is From

October 27, 2017 , theenvironment

You probably get calls from random phone numbers all the time. Some might look familiar, while others might be completely unknown. The best way to identify these calls and where they’re coming from is by using a reverse phone lookup.

How Do They Get Your Number?

There are a lot of ways in which companies and scammers get your phone number. The most common way is via you giving it away to them. Whenever you sign up for something and are asked to give your phone number be sure to read the privacy policy first.

Many survey companies and realtors will often sell your information to third-party marketing companies that will then add your phone number or email to call and email lists.

Another way you may be giving it away is via your social media. Make sure that your profile information is public only to people who you know and trust. Many times we’ll unintentionally provide information in our social media profiles because we’re not aware of the privacy settings. Be sure to double check what’s visible to strangers on your social media profiles.

How To Find Where The Call Is Coming From

The easiest way to find out where a call is coming from is by looking at its area code. However, this isn’t always reliable do to caller ID spoofing. This technique allows a caller to disguise their caller ID as any number they wish.

This technique can sometimes result in you receiving calls from your own number!

The best way to identify an unknown call is by using a phone tracer app for the iPhone. These apps will allow you to look up any phone number, identify where it’s from, and even see other people’s experiences with the phone number. This means you can avoid all of those annoying robocalls.

Posted in: Cell Phone, Mental Look Ups

How To Protect Yourself From Data Breaches

September 12, 2017 , theenvironment

There was a major hack at Equifax, one of the three major credit reporting companies in the U.S. This hack has exposed the information of 143 million Americans, nearly half the population. We’ll go over how you can protect yourself by using iPhone caller ID, avoiding phishing email scams, and freezing your credit.

Is Your Information At Risk?

You can find out whether or not your information may have been exposed by going to Equifax’s Cybersecurity Incident & Important Consumer Information site. Equifax is also offering a free credit monitoring service. However, it’s important to note that by joining this you waive your right to sue the company in the future.

What To Watch Out For

Beware of phishing scams and keep an eye on your credit report. Here are the top things to watch out for:

Impostor phone scams: Don’t trust callers who are requesting that you confirm your Social Security Number or asking for other sensitive pieces of information. Scammers will often pretend to be calling from credit card companies or other organizations in order to trick you into giving them information.
Phishing email scams: Almost more common than phone scams are email scams that are phishing (or requesting) personal information. Look for spelling mistakes in the emails, this is a sign that the email isn’t legitimate.
Changes in credit score: If you notice changes in your credit score, report it immediately to the the three credit reporting agencies and put a freeze on your credit. You can learn more about this here at the FTC.

Using iPhone Caller ID And Other Tools To Protect Yourself

If you’re an iPhone user, download an iPhone number tracer app to allow you to identify unknown calls. This will help you identify whether an incoming call is trustworthy. If you have an Android phone you should check out Truecaller.

Secondly, you should also check emails to verify the address. Don’t click on links that seem suspicious, and if you have doubts go directly to the company’s website and contact them directly.

What’s most important though, in cases like these, is to keep an eye on your credit report. Any fluctuations are a red flag.

Posted in: Mental Look Ups

How To Identify An Unknown Cell Phone Number

December 29, 2014 , theenvironment

No one wants the feeling of being stalked. Nowadays, people can easily look up an unknown number with just a few taps on your phone. Here’s how you can identify an unknown cell phone number.

trace unknown callers on your iPhone

Communication is easier these days, because the majority of individuals have a cell phone, through which they can be reached or contacted round the clock. If they do not answer your call, you still have the option of leaving a voice mail or sending a text message. Thus, a person’s mobile phone number can be said to be the most important contact info.

What do you do if you badly need to get in touch with someone, but you’ve lost their contact number? Well, you can use the internet to locate the person’s number. These days, you can use the internet to find just about anything you are searching for. From finding a job to finding love and a house, the internet can help you find any piece of information.

How To Find A Mobile Phone Number

This information is provided in good faith, considering that you actually need to locate someone’s mobile phone number and that the individual knows you or that you have a business relationship with the person. If you plan to utilize such services to disturb or harass someone through messaging or calling them up, bear in mind that there are ways to trace unknown callers on your iPhone. Having said this, here are a few tips on how to locate the mobile phone number of someone.

Use A Search Engine

If you want to find somebody’s cell phone number free of charge, then your best bet is to Google it. If the individual you are searching for has a published number it will show up in the search results. You have a very low chance of finding a mobile telephone number this way.

Use A Social Network

You can also use a social network site, like Facebook and LinkedIn, to find somebody’s cell phone number free of charge. These websites have made finding people as well as their contact details extremely easy. Just log into these sites and do a search for the person you wish to find . Once you find the individual, simply send him/her a friend request and wait for their response. Once your friend request has been accepted, you will be allowed to see the person’s personal details, including the cell phone number.

Caller ID Apps

If the methods mentioned above fail, there’s the surefire technique of locating somebody’s mobile telephone number, which is by using mobile phone number look up services. These sites will provide you with the information you need for a small fee.