SWBOCES students at Irvington High School learn lessons on internet safety
New York State Police investigators share expertise, advice on a range of online hazards
Investigators Jesse Brown and Andy Simko of the Troop K Computer Crime Unit shared information about how students can protect themselves. Their internet footprint impacts their future, investigators Brown and Simko said, including future employment or college applications.
Cyberbullying was one of several topics addressed. The investigators discussed how to respond, pointing out how social media platforms typically have a feature for reporting issues.
Students also learned about online privacy and the importance of keeping personal information secure. What they post on social media could be used to access their personal accounts, they were told, and password hints can be gleaned from personal information to answer account recovery questions.
Many websites can be used to find an address or phone number, they were advised, and posting pictures from vacation spots can let others know their home is unoccupied. Sharing passwords, meanwhile, or using the same passwords across multiple sites can make users vulnerable to identity theft.
Online activity is out there forever, and students were encouraged to use strategies to mitigate their risk. For one thing, colleges may do a quick social media check on prospective students, as may landlords for prospective tenants. They were also advised about online background checks and criminal records.
Students asked about what to do if an account is hacked or if posting online about an interest in horror makeup would be a concern. To the latter question, the presenters said the context matters.
Other topics discussed were spam and phishing emails, technology to record voice samples over the phone fraudulent use, the risk of using location services on mobile devices, tracking and reporting unauthorized Airtags nearby, and the impact of technology on mental health. For that last issue, students were advised to prioritize face-to-face conversation.
Regarding online predators, the investigators advised students that if they don’t know who they are talking to, they shouldn’t be talking to them.
The workshop was scheduled to be presented again on Jan. 28 at SWBOCES' Rye Lake Campus Middle-High School and to be repeated at Irvington High School in mid-February.
