Cyber-safety Case Studies
Written case studies featuring internet users from each Cyber-safety quadrant, or age group.
Teens & young adults
Simone Gioia uses the internet every single day either via computer or mobile - for on average eight hours a day five days a week and a few hours on the weekends. When you consider Simone uses it for work, uni and 'play' it's really not that long at all - find out how Simone keeps herself safe online here.
Case-study
As someone who is always online Simone Gioia knows a thing or two about using the internet to make her life easier. Not only does she spend the majority of her day at work on the internet she then uses it out of work hours in so many ways.
“I source entertainment (ie. music, movies, podcasts, magazines), socialise (Facebook and blogs), pay bills, shop and more importantly, as I get lost so easily, find directions to the places I want to go,” Simone said. “Whereis.com has now replaced my Melways!”
With such a reliance on the internet it means Simone is very aware of how important her own online behaviours are in staying safe. Her recommendations include:
- Be cautious of the kinds of details you provide online and to who you are providing them to - she even makes hers up sometimes
- Always read the fine print on a website you are using
- Never enter your personal details on a site which you don't think is reputable
- Don't provide your bank details on a website you know nothing about or which doesn’t use a security service
“I am worried about people finding out private information about me online. I know once something is online it's there forever,” Simone shares. “This is why I have made my settings on social networking sites quite rigid and trust my intuition when making online purchases - if something doesn't seem right I just don't buy from that site.”
“I'm not alone as all my friends use the internet on a daily basis as well, mostly on their phone,” says Simone. “To be honest I don't quite know how I would operate with it, I don't think I can so that's why I am always careful when I'm online.”
Sisters Rosie and Lucy Thomas are the co-founders of PROJECTROCKIT a dynamic, youth-led anti-bullying and youth leadership program (working with primary and secondary students) recognising students strengths and cultivating personal leadership. Here Rosie and Lucy share their online experiences including their top tips to being safe online.
Case-study
“My macbook is like my baby - I've even been known to sleep with it,” says Rosie Thomas. “That's because the last thing I do before I go to sleep is go online and it's the first thing I do when I wake up”.
As co-founders of PROJECT ROCKIT sisters Rosie and Lucy are frequent internet users, whether computer or mobile they can: send and receives email, chat with mates in London, create event invitations and even check in with friends of PROJECT ROCKIT's Facebook page. Through their work Rosie and Lucy also see some of the negatives associated with technology including things like online scams, cyber-racism and cyber-bullying.
“The worst thing about cyber-bullying is the ability to be anonymous, say all sorts of things you would never say to someone's face and then not be held accountable. Some of these incidents are practical jokes that have backfired - thing is, once something hits the net, it is there forever so if you wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't say it online, say Lucy.
I'm a member of the generation hooked on the internet. I';m always online. The answer to these problems is not turning off the computer or restricting internet access it's about simple behavioural changes,” advises Lucy.
Rosie and Lucy's basic top tips to be safe online include:
- Never give out to people, even friends, your personal information (passwords, pin numbers, etc). You ever know who might misuse them.
- Never display your full name, phone number, address or even school name online - make sure your privacy settings are protecting you. There are some real weirdos on the internet and you never really know who you’re dealing with.
- Don't believe everything you read - you need to use your common sense. People can craft up a completely different identity, change their age, their gender, interests, anything.
- Don't click forward. The only way to kill a rumour is by not passing it on.
- If you ever post pictures of anyone else in them, ask permission first before publishing them
“I use the internet for exactly what it was intended, connecting people all over the world, staying in touch and being informed about all sorts of different important issues and that's the way it should be,” says Rosie. “The internet is by far the greatest communication innovation that has ever existed. I honestly don't know what I would do without it!”
Professionals & providers
Although Dan Kraan does not consider himself over technically he still uses the internet for a couple of hours most days - this is after his day job as a security investigator for Telstra’s Corporate Security & Investigation team and volunteer CFA member is over! Read Dan's experience about how he stays safe online.
Case - study
While not owning an iPod may put Dan Kraan in the 'Gen Y' minority (or any other generation’s minority) it does not mean he isn't up with the rest of his generation when it comes to using the internet - relying on his computer and two mobile phones to connect him to the world.
“I use the internet for so many things, not just for my job, but also after hours in my personal time. The internet allows me to take care of my banking, do my shopping, read the news and keep in touch with family and friends around the world”, says Dan.
“I've just returned from a trip to the States culminating in my ten year high-school reunion from my time as an exchange student in Ohio. While the reunion was a highlight of my trip, the best part was that I was able to be part of the build-up and post-reunion discussions back in Australia via email and Facebook, Dan shared.
While not claiming to be a cyber-safety expert, in fact he claims to not be “overly technical”, Dan knows that to be safe online comes down to his own online behaviours and understanding the risks of the things he does when online.
Dan takes a number of simple steps to stay safe online, including:
- Always keeping anti-virus software up to date.
- Being careful about what personal information is shared on sites like Facebook and setting privacy settings to the highest available option.
- Only shopping at 'trusted' websites for online purchases - if in doubt don't make a purchase
- Regularly changing passwords for all accounts.
- Not opening SPAM emails.
“I know there are risks online, but there are risks in the ‘real’ world as well”, said Dan. “The internet is so convenient and such a big part of my everyday life it just doesn't make sense to me to not log on - you just need to be smart about it.”
Elizabeth Dimabuyu, a mother of two sons, uses the internet on a daily basis whether for work as a business specialist with Telstra or in her own time. Given Elizabeth has four computers in the home, one for each family member, online safety is a priority. Find out more about Elizabeth’s experience here.
Case - study
“I was born and raised in the Philippines so a lot of my family and friends are still there or have moved to other countries,” says Elizabeth Dimabuyu. “The internet allows me to keep in contact with them and share what’s happening in my own family. I also use it for work, to shop online, find answers and to plan and book holidays to the Philippines.
Like all parents, Elizabeth is worried about the things her two boys will come across on the internet, particularly now that her 12 year old son is on Facebook.
“My husband and I speak to the kids about the way they should behave online and what to do if they are approached by strangers”, shared Elizabeth. “We also review the history of the sites they have visited and if we have any concerns about any site they have been to we talk about it”.
“There are some risks involved in being online like the possibility of having my identity stolen, falling victim to cyber-crime (eg. people stealing money from my bank account) or the kids being cyber-bullied, but I also know there are things I can do to help me and my family”, Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth takes a number of simple steps to keep herself and her family safe while they are online, including:
- Installing and regularly updating anti-virus software at home
- Deleting and not opening emails from unknown sources
- Not saving personal details on her computer eg. bank account details
- Only accepting friend requests on social networking sites from people she knows and setting the privacy settings to 'friends only access'
- Talking to her kids about what they do online and how they use the internet
“I use the internet every day. It's a great and easy way to connect with my relatives and friends here and overseas. I know that by being proactive I can help my family stay safe online and get the most from their internet experience,” says Elizabeth.
Retirees
Nan Bosler
Nan Bosler, is the President of the Australian Seniors Computers Club Association (ASCCA) the national peak body for seniors and technology. Their prime objective is to help seniors become computer literate and to explore the satisfaction and benefits that come with using technology. Here Nan shares her experience of using the internet and what she does to stay safe online.
Case-study
Nan Bosler, a mother of three children, grandmother to nine, and great grandmother to four great grandchildren, uses the internet on a daily basis not just for her work with the Australian Seniors Computers Club Association (ASCCA), but also to keep in touch with family and friends.
Some of the things Nan uses the internet for includes online banking and funding submissions, booking flights and accommodation, researching things like her family history, keeping in touch with ASCAA clubs, family and friends via email, and even checking in with her grandchildren via social networking sites.
“Like most seniors I am a little wary of the internet, but that doesn't mean I don't log on. The opportunities it brings are quite amazing and there are some simple things you can do to stay safe,” Nan said.
Nan's own top tips include:
- Have a good anti virus program on your computer and update regularly - you should also use a firewall
- Understand how to identify a secure website
- Delete any emails you suspect of being bogus from your email inbox
- Protect your privacy - as a rule seniors are pretty careful about disclosing personal information, but it's also good to remind your grandchildren to be wise about what they share online
- Change your password fairly regularly - I make my passwords strong and have worked out a way of selecting passwords that are strong and easy for me to remember but sorry, I'm not sharing that information with anyone!
“Become a safe and confident Internet user”, Nan advises all silver surfers. “It's just too good to miss. If I can't access the internet I become very frustrated, it's the same for many seniors I know!
