Colombia. Have you received any strange text messages requesting your personal data?, do you know who is chatting with your children?, have you ever left your social networks open in an internet café?, have you made online purchases through unknown public networks?
If any of your answers are yes, you may not be safe online. For this reason, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) presents a series of tips to be "stacked" in digital life, on the occasion of the International Day of Computer Security that is celebrated this November 30.
It is very important that we have safe behaviors in our digital lives, just as we do in the real one. It is also relevant that we stay informed about the different ways that cybercriminals use to take advantage of these oversights, which can bring us serious consequences.
Batteries in social networks
Everything that is published on social networks automatically loses its quality of privacy.
Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know.
Do not exchange intimate photographs or messages through these platforms as they could be used for different types of abuse (pornography, sexual abuse, bullying, grooming, extortion, among others).
Avoid revealing on these platforms the sites where your children study and the schedules they handle, as this information can be useful for those who wish to commit a crime.
Use different passwords on each social network, to reduce the impact if any of your accounts are breached.
Do not reveal your daily routines through social media, as you may be the target of intelligence by some criminal.
Avoid making encounters with people you have met on social networks, as their profiles may be fake.
Regularly review the privacy and security policies of the social networks to which you belong, as these vary.
Avoid accessing links of dubious provenance that are posted on social media.
Stacks with scams on the network
Phishing is a very popular crime, with which through emails the recipient is deceived into visiting fake websites with the aim of stealing information and money.
Please note that your bank will NEVER ask you for sensitive information by email, or by phone.
Avoid using public establishments to conduct business transactions, better do it from a trusted site.
Be wary of messages with supposed "free" subscriptions, companies that give away their products or offer very well-paid jobs without any requirements.
During a purchase process, provide only the absolutely essential information.
Turn off the 'autocomplete' option if you access from a computer other than the usual one or share your computer with others.
Log out when finished and NEVER save your username and password.
If possible use an anti-fraud tool to carry out transactions, commonly antivirus already offers these services.
When you are going to make a purchase, a padlock should appear in the upper left of your browser and when you click on it, it should appear that the connection is secure.
If this is the case, report
The National Government has set up channels such as the virtual CAI Page www.caivirtual.policia.gov.co and the User Service Line 018000910600 in case of being a victim of fraud.
Stacks with sexual abusers on the web
Grooming is the name given to the harassment for sexual purposes of which some people are victims by another on the web.
It starts with a simple virtual conversation, in which one person impersonates another. Normally, by one of the same age as the victim. In this way, he pretends to have more affinity with her, gains her trust and strengthens a supposed friendship.
By being "friends" and exchanging information and stories, the victim easily lets his guard down, to the point that he talks about personal issues, sends photos or turns on the webcam.
This is taken advantage of by the abuser to include sexual themes in conversations, exchange erotic images or make invitations to meet personally.
Grooming does not happen overnight, it can take weeks to materialize.
The adult abuser promises gifts, sends pornographic images to provoke children to do the same, steals their personal data, and saves their photos to blackmail them.
To prevent this, check the device (computer, tablet or cell phone) to verify that there is no system that steals information (malware). Regularly change access keys.
Locate the computer in a visible place in the house.
Manage privacy options across all social networks.
Check the social media friends list and delete the unknown contacts.
Report
Cases related to children and adolescents must be reported through the channel Te Protejo www.teprotejo.org, also available in application for free download, this channel supports with the legal procedures and follows up on the case.
Additionally, the complaint can be filed with the National Police in www.caivirtual.policia.gov.co, at the Attorney General's Office www.fiscalia.gov.co or through line 141 of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare ICBF.
As the holiday season and the holidays approach, be even more careful to follow these guidelines as online transactions and time spent on the Internet increase around this time.
Text prepared by the Ministry of ICT of Colombia.
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