Education

Phishing (pronounced “fishing”) is a computing scam wherein a criminal attempts to steal victims’ sensitive personal information such as social security and credit card numbers, user IDs and passwords.

The process most often starts with an official-looking e-mail from a bank, financial or retail establishment that contains a link which directs potential victims to fake, but legitimate looking websites asking them to re-enter their username and password, social security, credit card or bank account numbers, address and phone number, or other information.

Prevention

Phishing is one of the toughest internet threats to prevent because it’s very difficult for the average person to distinguish a fake e-mail from a genuine one.

No matter how official a message appears, NEVER click on links in an unsolicited e-mail to access a bank, financial, retail, or other accounts. ALWAYS access an online account only by using it’s official URL (web address).

Your bank, financial or retail establishments will almost never ask for this information through email. If you do think the email is legitimate, call the phone number (NOT the one listed in the email) to check.

Forward messages you suspect to be a phishing attempt to reportphishing@antiphishing.org.

Monitoring

When you need to enter sensitive information at a website, verify the web address to ensure you are actually using the legitimate web address. If you are unsure about the web address contact the website owner.

Every month, you should review your banking, credit card, and other statements monthly for suspicious activity.

Practice Safe Computing!

In his closing remarks at the end of the most recent General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson warned us all to avoid the evil uses of the Internet, particularly pornography.

“My brothers and sisters, involvement in such will literally destroy the spirit.” Be strong. Be clean. Avoid such degrading and destructive types of content at all costs — wherever they may be. I sound this warning to everyone, everywhere. I add — particularly to the young people — that this includes pornographic images transmitted via cell phones.”

President Monson was referring to the latest challenge for parents, “Sexting”. Sexting is defined as the practice of sending erotic photos, videos, and messages via cell phone or posting the images on the internet.

Everywhere, young people are taking nude or semi-nude photos and videos of themselves and sending them to girlfriends, boyfriends and others. The recipients of these images will forward them to their friends and so on. Often they are posted to the internet.

According to a nationwide survey by the National Campaign to Support Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, approximately 20 percent of teens admit to participating in “sexting”.

The practice, when involving minors, is illegal; a felony. Already several teens have been arrested and charged around the nation.

Eighteen-year-old Jessie Logan made one mistake and was so ashamed that she took her own life. Please view this report on Fox News. Fox News Report – “Sexting” leads to Suicide

So what can you do as a parent? Talk to your children. Even if you have never heard of sexting, your children have. Take a few moments to educate your children on how to deal with sexting. This will empower them and protect you. They may not be taking photos or video of themselves, but the may have received them from their friends. They may have even forwarded them to their friends which can cause them a lot of grief.

Here are some things you should include in your discussion with your children.

1. Never send or post nude images of yourself or others. If you forward a sexual picture of someone underage, you could face charges of child pornography, go to jail, and have to register as a sex offender.

2. Immediately tell your parents, teacher, or other trusted adult of any nude pictures you receive or see.

3. Do NOT send or post anything that you would not want everyone to see.

You may want to use the Fox New Report above as you speak with your children.

Practice Safe Computing!

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