It would be hard to envision a world without the capabilities we now have with the Internet. Users can, among many other things, make financial transactions, take online classes and connect with long-lost friends.

Increased security measures, such as sophisticated encryption and decryption capabilities, have made the Internet a safe and secure place to conduct business and interact with the outside world. The new state of the Web has created an environment where users must be able to leverage new technology to their advantage. While this isn’t incredibly difficult, navigating the plethora of ways the Internet can be used can prove overwhelming.

1. Social Networking – While social networking is commonly used to simply connect with old friends, it has recently become much more than that. It can now be used as a tool for students and working professionals to branch out and network with like-minded people within a class or professional field. In the educational world, students can use group chat features of popular social networks like Google+ and Facebook, to collaborate and study. Businesses are using social media as a way to connect with current and potential customers, a practice proving extremely beneficial for connecting with a wider demographic.

2. Online Banking – Nearly every financial institution imaginable has an online banking option. This is usually found on a bank’s website, which allows customers to check balances, pay bills, manage accounts and investments, as well as make transactions online. Sophisticated security measures have made the Web a safe place to carry out all kinds of financial transactions.

Online Banking

3. Online Education – The digital world we live in has changed just about every facet of everyday life, and education is no exception. Many colleges and universities offer educational options for working professionals who don’t have the luxury of taking full-time courses during the day. Students can potentially earn an associate degree, and in some cases a Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or a doctorate. The Web has created an environment where just about anyone can further their education without sacrificing their current livelihood to do so.

4. Photo Editing & Sharing – Just about any task that can be done on personal computer can now be done safely and securely online. Photo sharing is among the most highly engaging activities on the Internet. New Web- or cloud-based applications allow users to upload, edit and share photos to a large audience online, and have even moved into the mobile sphere. This includes high-powered photo editing; even industry-standard programs like Adobe are creating Web-based versions of their software.

5. Music & Video Streaming – The Web has dramatically changed even the recording, TV and film industries. In fact, the future of digital media is not as much about ownership as it is about access. This means that millions of songs, movies and TV shows can be streamed from various Web-based services. Among the most popular digital media streaming services are Netflix and Hulu for videos and Spotify, Rdio and Grooveshark for music streaming.

Whether a Web user’s end goal is practical, educational or for entertainment purposes, there are virtually unlimited ways to put the Internet to use. Online tools and services are always created with the end user in mind, which often means the Web is safer than it ever was for the average user.

About the author: Lindsey Harper Mac is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area. She specializes in writing guest posts on social media and education on behalf of Colorado Technical University. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree.

We would like to thank our guest writers on The CHW Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in our CyberHood, we all live in…
help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch® Partners

Dave Ballard & Bill Wardell

Radio Security Journalists

© 2006 – 2012 CyberHood Watch®

Raj Goelis a regular guest of CHWRadio, and Dave & Bill, the CyberHood Watch Partners, and our loyal readers consider ourselves better informed, and a bit wiser with each interview.

Raj Goel on CyberHood Watch Radio With Dave & Bill

We began our discussion with the recent hack of Medicaid that occurred right in our own backyard; Utah. Getting hacked is never a good thing, and I asked Raj what he thought might be the fallout from the hack. According to Raj, in the short term, Medicaid can expect to pay penalties and fines. The clincher is that in the long term we can expect our State taxes to increase according to Raj.

Raj points out that this is not uncommon to see large organizations being hacked; however, the government has made progress by mandating and implementing better compliancy regulations making it more difficult for hackers to target larger organizations,. What Raj found interesting is a recent case involving a Phoenix cardiology group, consisting of two cardiologists, who had agreed to pay a hundred thousand dollar ($100,000.00) fine for using cloud computing in their medical practice. Turns out the doctors were using a web based calendaring and scheduling system and neither cardiologist had done any due diligence on their vendors to verify if the technology complied with HIPAA privacy and security rules.

Now, the attention of hackers are turning to the smaller medical practices, smaller accounting firms; those who need to be HIPAA, PCI, or GLBA compliant. Many businesses are not compliant, and are trading short term savings for long term liabilities. In addition, businesses owners fail to understand the loss of customer value when an incident occurs. It will become more and more expensive for businesses not to meet the standard of practices than the cost to assure you are in compliance.

The Line Between On and Off Has Been Washed Away...You Are Knee Deep In It!

It all boils down to implementing good security practices. If a breach occurs and you can show that you are following the standard of best practices, it will greatly increase your odds of avoiding devastating penalties, fines, and loss of customer trust.

Take the time to understand what the law requires of you. The following link provides a PDF created by Raj depicting a number of great case studies in failure. The information will definitely make you think about who’s Internet is it anyway, and who’s got your back when it comes to your personal information.

The criminal hackers are now targeting the low hanging fruit…Small professional businesses, home offices, and the individual end-user.  In addition to the information that is available on your computer, it’s the theft of that power and speed, and the ability to command as a Zombie PC and combine it with thousands of other computers (Botnet) to attack other businesses, websites (DoS – Denial of Service), competitors, large corporations, government, infrastructure, etc.), all because too few understand or implement digital safe practices.

The, “I am to small mentality doesn’t hold water any longer”, said Raj. The law does not require perfection, but it does require you to follow best practices for the business you are in, and reduce your risk footprint.

We switched gears and addressed the recent incident of Kimberly Hester being fired for refusing to give her employer her Facebook password. The way Raj addressed it was the employer would have to be insanely stupid to follow that thinking. You can listen to additional comments about this discussion at time stamp 00:26:26

I asked Raj what he thought about our digital footprints becoming more like full body imprints likened to snow angels we made as kids. How, is all this abundance of information influencing law enforcement practices here in the US? Time stamp 00:28:59.  Raj’s response took us back to how some of the profitable businesses today got their start as aggregators collecting massive amounts of personal information and selling it to the US Government. It will surprise you the amount personal information that has been collected and sold about US citizens to the US government since 1940’s.

Here is something for everyone to think about, what are your thoughts about the iPad dictation function being sent to Apple servers, or HDTV capability of watching you watch TV? How about Samsung and other manufactures that have built in cameras and microphones that are always turned on and capable of watching the viewers? Television, radio, and cars are next.

There is a great deal more for you to listen to…download the interview. There is always good, solid, and usable information to be mindful about, as well as implement.

Your, CyberHood Watch Partner.

DigitalDave

david c ballard

FIGHTERS on CHWRadio - Fight The New Drug

It began with a few college entrepreneurs sitting together sharing ideas of how they could make their mark on the future. An unlikely idea that sprang up from the group was, “Hey let’s put up an anti-pornography site.” This was the beginnings of Fight The New Drug and the new FIGHTERS Ryan Werner, Beau Lewis, Clay Olsen, and Cam Lee began an entrepreneurs dream. Not what you would consider the typical stereo type of young technology entrepreneurs.

However; it did strike a chord with Clay Olsen, and the memory of an unfortunate tragedy he shared about a cousin who had been exposed to pornography at the age of eight, which eventually led to his incarceration. As Clay described the incident, it was as disruptive as a stick of dynamite exploding, affecting the entire family.

Later, after his cousin’s release, in a conversation with Clay, he commented, “If only I had known…”

Many times we have heard our guests comment about hearing parents say, “I never thought this would happen to me.” Well, it does happen…bad things do happen, and one reason why the CyberHood Watch subtitle reads, “Through Communication & Awareness”. Parents need to be aware and share with their kids.

Clay Olsen Talks About the Effects of Pornography on the Brain

As Clay explains, we have anti-drugs, and anti-tobacco, anti-addiction campaigns, but we avoid the issue of anti-pornography. Because pornography is a sensitive issue we tend to skirt the issue. The avoidance of addressing pornography is exactly what gives strength to the pornography industry.

Fight The New Drug takes the approach of empowering kids through understanding what addiction is, and how addiction establishes a foothold. Clay’s and the Fighters frame the conversation of pornography outside the issue of morality, and more on the science of addiction.  Think of it more as a public health issue.

A paradigm shift and a real issue facing our children today is the sexual assault on our kid’s development brought about through the advent of the Internet and the explosion of mobile technology and its access to the Internet.

There now exist sufficient evidence, and a solid scientific leg to stand on that establishes the common elements of addiction. The same pleasure chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and epinephrine) released through other narcotics, which affect the reward pathways are the same chemicals released while viewing pornography.  The addiction begins with the need to satisfy the reward pathways, and regularly viewing of pornography continuously overexposes the reward pathways demanding the need for more and more; hence, the addiction process.

Pornography Addiction Infographic

The effects of pornography are powerful and direct. Pornography viewed through the eyes, imprints directly to the brain, releasing pleasure chemicals, while changing attitudes, behavior, which influences everything around you.

The pornography industries understand this addiction, and are masters of manipulating its viewers who are now as young as six and seven. I do not think the community fully understands the affects pornography has on the long term development of our youth, never before have they been exposed to so much and so graphic material.

The only thing addiction cares about is satisfying the addiction…

Fight The New Drug tries to separate the addiction from the individual. Unfortunately, society views porn addiction differently than other addictions. We tend to shun the victim, unlike other addictions where we offer support.

Clay Olsen points out that the youth want to talk about this problem, and adult care takers need to understand the assault our children are under from the porn industry.  Eighty percent of exposure to pornography occurs in the home.

If parents are unwilling to teach their kids about pornography, be assured the pornography industry will.

When delivering a presentation to parents and asked how many use filtering software, the typical response is thirty percent. I can’t imagine equating about seven cents a day to help assure my children’s well-being. However, in addition to the technology protection, parents need to instill a personal conviction in his or her child; it all boils down to that decisive moment when your child is faced with making a critical choice when you are not there.

Pornography Addicted Kids Are Crying Out for Help...Fortify Answers the Call

Pornographers know it is addictive, so they start small intentionally, enticing with free teasers, creating stealth sites, misspelled sites, flash games, free games that all lead to that one peek knowing what instantly takes place in the brain.

Clay addresses the 4As of what makes it easy for the pornography industry:

• Accessible…Anywhere the Internet connects to a mobile device or computer
• Affordable…Free teasers
• Anonymous…No one is watching
• Addictive…Direct from the eyes to imprinting the brain

Another issue that Clay has become acutely aware of is the problem of “sexting”, kids sending inappropriate pictures of them to another. What helps our youth to understand the severity of this problem is to explain the association of sexting to child pornography and the illegal implications that will impact them.  Not to mention the permanent nature of the event, and the understanding that you are contributing to passing around something addictive to your peers.

We need our kids to change the message from, “Dude check this out.” To, “Dude that’s messed up.”

Be sure to either download the show or listen to Clay Olsen on CHWRadio right now…click on the show below.

I urge everyone to check out Fight The New Drug and their program, “Fortify”! It will change the lives of our youth who are dealing with the addiction of pornography. The program is free, and kids are challenged with not having the finances to seek professional help, and they will not go to their parents because of the stigma associated with porn addiction.

Fortify is their chance to seek help…you can help support Fortify with a small donation.

Your CyberHood Watch Partner,

DigitalDave

david c ballard

Radio Security Journalist

It's Your Privacy at Stake...Do Something!

They are referring to CISPA as the evil twin sister of SOPA and PIPA. There is a great deal of concern regarding the Internet and the security vulnerabilities we face as a Nation, which must be addressed and resolved. In addition to the security of our U.S. citizens there is another very important issue to consider and be mindful about. I just read a statistic that said the porn industry is a $97 billion dollar a year business. My question is, what do believe the value of the Internet (in currency) is worth? My next question is, do you believe there are powerful conglomerates and  industries that would like to control the assets of the Internet? Possibly governments?

I have come to the realization that as citizens, we will always have to be mindful and take an active personal interest in the well-being of the Internet. The Internet is a global asset that belongs to the human race and not any one organization and/or industrial entity. Unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of complacency, making that choice assures we will be fighting for our freedoms all over again.

“The American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other groups are leading a week of protests against CISPA, which they warn could lead companies to hand over private user information to spy agencies.”

My point being…we need to accept the fact that we are all responsible for the Internet and its future outcome. The undisclosed desires for control and power of the Internet are very real concerns. The introduction of CISPA along with the defeat of SOPA and PIPA only demonstrates the continued attempts to control the Internet and our personal liberties.

Do you due diligence and make an informed educated decision before it is made for you.

Your CyberHood Watch Partner,

DigitalDave

david c ballard

Radio Security Journalist

PS: Be sure to tune in to the CHWRadio on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 when I will ask Raj Goel to talk about CISPA

Buzzy Martin Privatization Of Prisons Who’s Investing In Them and who is CCA, after writing his book… Buzzy has become an advocate for everyone in the wrong side of the prison system and what it means to parents and their children! To learn more about: “Buzzy Martin – Musician Musician, Youth Advocate, Author.”

Listen below:

PRIVATE PRISONS ARE BACK…

Outlawed at the beginning of the 20th Century, private corporations are once again owning and operating prisons for profit. A controversial issue which dates back to the days that followed the Emancipation Proclamation, CORRECTIONS examines its re-appearance today amidst globalization and the most awesome growth of prisons in all of modern history, painting a complex portrait of what many are calling the “prison industrial complex.”

THE PRIVATE PRISON

In the mid-1980′s, fifteen years of massive and unprecedented growth within the US prison system hit a snag — it ran out of money.

When the state wants to build a new prison, it traditionally asks the voters to approve the cost through a bond issue. But this time, voters throughout the country began to say no.

So many turned to private investment, to venture capital, both to fund new prison projects and to run the prisons themselves for costs around $30 to $60 per bed, per day. This began what we know today as the for-profit, PRIVATE PRISON INDUSTRY.

THE PRISON BOOM PRODUCES PRISON PRIVATIZATION 1970 : 280,000 prisoners | 2000 : 2,000,000 prisoners. Read more about CCA

We both want to thank Buzzy Martin… What a great show with Buzzy, he shared with our audience some ridicules systems that are in place with the prison and the inmates and how we can really make a difference… just by getting a case of his book and giving the schools and/or juvenile halls, we can save one child at a time… just like the starfish story!!!

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,

“Well, I made a difference to that one!”

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved. – adapted from the Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley

Also, take a look at this information on Orange County Juvenile Hall is a 380-bed institution for juvenile law violators operated by the Orange County Probation Department in the City of Orange.

It houses boys and girls, generally between ages 12 and 18, who are detained pending Juvenile Court hearings in the adjacent Betty Lou Lamoreaux Juvenile Justice Center or who remain in custody by order of the Juvenile Court. Read more

Get your copy of Buzzy’s book here, click the cover:

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

 
Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2012 CyberHood Watch® Blog

Go to The CyberHood Watch on iTunes to listen to over 400 world-wide professionals & experts helping parents everywhere, by Keeping Our Children Safe online, click below to learn how-to protect yourself!!!

If digital parenting, raising our families, and/or running a business in today’s economy isn’t enough to keep us all busy, now more than ever you have to vigilant protecting the undermining of our Constitutional rights under the guise of “Cybersecurity”.  CISPA (Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011) the sister of SOPA and PIPA is quietly trying to gain access throught he back door. It’s tough being a digital parent and it’s feeling just as tough to hang on to our Constitutional rights that our parents before us bought with their lives.

SOPA was recently turned away, even witht he support of Industry giants. Not so anymore, SOPA and PIPA’s sister, CISPA has captured the support of the same Industry giants that we thought had our interest, and who are now publically making their support known.

Now is the time to defend your rights in the Digital World. The Electronic Frontier Foundation further sums up what is happening in the following article: “Don’t Let Congress Use “Cybersecurity” Fears to Trample on Civil Liberties.”

Following is an “Infographic” that explains and portrays the evil twin sister of SOPA:

Infographic designed by Lumin Consulting

Your CyberHood Watch Partner,

DigitalDave

david c ballard

Radio Security Journalist

Here at the CyberHood Watch we’ve had several interviews and discussions regarding human trafficking for several years. Fathers need to talk with their sons about their sisters or the little girls that touch their lives, and the significance in treating little girls with respect, not objects of our desires. Not only will we provide for a more nurturing society, we will help prevent the loss of innocence, and raise respected men.

Your CyberHood Watch Partners,

DigitalDave

david c ballard
Radio Security Journalist

PocketFinder's CEO, Dave Morse Visits Dave & Bill on CHWRadio

PocketFinder may not be as old as a 100 year old Oreo Cookie brand, but they are literally just as BIG in size and satisfaction.

Don’t look at products – look @ needs…Commented CEO, Dave Morse, of PocketFinder. Surely (look at the needs) is a simple, yet powerful concept… Dave spent twenty years in the telecommunications industry, beginning his career with the military, continuing on with AT&T, and retiring from the Consumer Organization as Vice President of California.

Dave’s insight and twenty years of experience in the telecommunications industry without question allowed him to recognize the value of PocketFinder to fulfill a need.

As a dedicated leader in the telecommunications industry, Dave passionately studied society and the consumer market to identify how they used GPS technology and how they would like to use it. After extensive conversations with consumers, Dave’s team discovered a genuine need and a clear message shared by consumers to optimize the way people connect with each other, their children, their pets, and things they value and care about when using GPS technology.

“We are all about peace of mind,” said Dave. Today we are an extremely mobile society, so when you can’t be there knowing where your children are throughout the day, leaves the door ajar for unwanted events and/or unpleasant situations to occur. PocketFinder is a tool that allows you peace of mind to know the when and where of your loved ones at any moment. I would venture to guess that every parent has experienced a moment when he or she calls her child and they don’t answer the phone knowing they should be available…Did your anxiety level jump just a little bit?

Family Friendly | Family Focused

PocketFinder is one of those tools that will keep discovering new applications as consumers begin implementing its use, it is not function specific. Cutting-edge mobile implementation of GPS technology in society, and consumers application of it is in its early adoptive stages. GPS typically informs you of where you are; however, PocketFinder takes it a step further allowing you to transmit that GPS information directly to your account (family or business). Imagine knowing exactly when your child enters or leaves the geo zone parameters you have set up around the school, the babysitters, grandparents, the mall, or anyone involved in the care of your child.

Think it won’t happen to you…It just may happen. Several previous legal and law enforcement professionals, interviewed on CHWRadio have commented on the number of times they have heard a loved one say, “I never thought it would happen to me.”  I hope if I ever find myself in that position it was not from lack of prevention.

Earlier I mentioned about the increase in anxiety when you call your child and there is no answer…What was your anxiety level when you handed your child the keys to the car the first time? PocketFinder not only gives you the peace of mind knowing your child is in the prescribed geo zone you have set up, but also tracks his or her driving habits. Speed is a main factor contributing to accidents…Knowing your child’s driving habits, whereabouts, and being notified that your son or daughter is driving too fast can be valuable information for teaching moments. As a parent I would want to know…Trust, but verify.

Unfortunately, your child’s driving skills do not match their level of confidence. Knowing their driving behaviors allows you to coach using real data, which may be one contributing factor thatalign their driving skills with their confidence level. It is a parent’s opportunity and ability to be in your child’s daily life even when you can’t physically be there; an optimal use of GPS technology.

CyberHood Watch Approved

“It gives me a reason to say no”, was the comment a mother shared with Dave about what her daughter said to her. Let me explain, it’s about peer pressure and how kids push beyond their permitted boundaries…The proverbial “Joy Ride”. PocketFinder had been installed in the car, and when Mom asked her daughter how she was doing knowing the device was in her car she said, “Mom, I Love it because it gives me a reason to say no”.  When her friends prodded her to take that joy ride she was able to tell them she can’t because her parents knew where she has driven and how fast.

I played devil’s advocate with Dave regarding the question of GPS and Location Based Technology (LBS), and when does it become intrusive. Too often these great cutting-edge technologies are a double-edged sword, for example the Internet. You can listen to Dave’s response at time stamp: 00:23:49

Our interview with Dave Morse uncovered many wonderful stories, and how PocketFinder intervened or could have intervened in preventing family tragedies, be sure to listen to Dave’s stories.

PocketFinder will record and track a monumental event for all times. Carmel, New York to Carmel, California – Ground Zero Steel – Firefighter to Firefighter initiates Carmel 911 Memorial Resolve and Remembrance event for the west coast. Beginning in Carmel, New York one of the last remaining pieces of steel from the World Trade Center will be physically handed-off from firefighter to firefighter on a journey across the United States from Carmel, New York to Carmel, California to establish the west coast memorial in remembrance of 9-11.

PocketFinder is donating $9.11 for every PocketFinder purchased during the event.

I asked Dave to share his personal observation of where we might see the future of location based technology and its applications.

• Retail marketing
• Proximity marketing
• Global behavioral effects…better driving habits, less fuel consumption

It used to be, “Can you hear me now?” We can all hear very well, but more importantly, what is the question being asked? A study conducted by AT&T indicated that 60% of calls are made to ask, “Where you at?” or “Where are you?” to coordinate linking up with one another. Now, as we move into the future products like PocketFinder are going to make it easier to locate those we care about easier and easier.

“The balance point is going to be privacy”, said Dave Morse. “You need the capability to be able to decide when you want to be seen and when you don’t”, continued Dave. All the information is encrypted.

Let me leave you with this thought regarding credibility of PocketFinder. Apple approached PocketFinder after they literally scanned the globe looking for a location device they liked that fit their model of products. Apple determined that this is one of the fastest growing segments available in the global market, and Apple wanted a device that would allow families and businesses to better connect with each other. Apple picked PocketFinder.

Your CyberHood Watch Partner,

DigitalDave

PS: Be sure to vote below…

david c ballard

Radio Security Journalist

We were very excited to have Cammie on the CHWR live show today!!! As a fellow online security entrepreneur and internet safety advocate for children everywhere… listen to her interview below.

Cammie Moise Internet Safety Advocate and Educator has been providing families up to date, internet safety education in today’s online world. CSF helps parents understand their Digital Parenting role.

Providing community education on using the internet and digital devices safely while maintaining an online reputation. Find more information fro Cammie and her CyberSafeFamily network here:

FaceBook | Cammie Moise | CyberSafeFamily | Cammie’s Blog | @twitter and the CyberSafeFamily.com website!

“Digital Dinner Time”. Take time to talk about your personal digital environment… everyday with your family!

She, shared this quote… for the CHW Magic Wand Question, and many more wonderful tips, ideas and advice for our listening audience! Listen to the complete interview, below:

and… as a thank you Cammie has made available her: CyberSafeFamily Family Internet Contract for the CyberHood Watch listeners, audience and followers click the button below, to get your free copy!

Dave and Bill would like to thank Cammie for being on our show today, it was awesome!!! as I IM’d Dave after the show and said you were great, Dave replied back… saying, she was real and I have to totally agree, one of the best shows all year, a TOP Tenner! Thanks again Cammie for everything… and if you every need anything that Dave and I can do for you, please let us know!!!

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

 
Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2012 CyberHood Watch® Blog

Go to The CyberHood Watch on iTunes to listen to over 400 world-wide professionals & experts helping parents everywhere, by Keeping Our Children Safe online, click below to learn how-to protect yourself!!!