Linda's Blog : General

Online Medical Fraud: New Tools for Old Scams

Linda Criddle — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:34:00 GMT

One of the most loathsome forms of online fraud is perpetrated against people struggling with serious illnesses who are eager for a cure from any quarter, no matter how unlikely. Internet health fraud is a growing problem. The FDA describes health fraud...(read more)

Using the Internet – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Linda Criddle — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:26:00 GMT

To counteract the negative messaging that dominates Internet safety news, online safety advocates were asked by Anne Collier to respond to the question: Why do I like Web 2.0 so much? And What don’t I like? Here’s my top 10 list: I like the ability the...(read more)

One Laptop Per Child: More harm than good?

Linda Criddle — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:18:00 GMT

Giving a child Internet access without building in safety or security features for the computer, without having parental supervision in place, and without providing Internet safety education is a well understood recipe for disaster in the U.S. and other...(read more)

Safety tool or pervert’s dream? The Mll Flashcam

Linda Criddle — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:28:00 GMT

The Mll Flashcam is one product getting press coverage at the Consumer Electronics Show currently being held in Las Vegas. The Flashcam looks like a standard flashlight but comes with night vision and a video camera. According to the product’s Web site...(read more)

The Fine Print – Do You Know the Terms You (Or Your Child) Agreed To?

Linda Criddle — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:28:00 GMT

When it comes to your privacy and ownership of your content, not all Web sites are created equal. Though few people enjoy reading the fine print, you may be surprised at how various services -- even within the same category of services -- do or do not...(read more)

Web Address Safety – Think First, Click Later

Linda Criddle — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:44:00 GMT

Most Internet safety tips include advice to be cautious about clicking links -- whether you get them in e-mail or as the result of an online search -- and for good reason. A careless click may leave you or your computer vulnerable. Simply landing on a...(read more)

Facebook’s Lesson: The Demise of Privacy or Will You Fight Back?

Linda Criddle — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:55:00 GMT

Facebook's new advertising feature ‘Beacon’ created a storm of protest for using the personal content their users have posted for advertising purposes. Launched last month, their ads grab users’ photos, personal content, purchases and online actions and...(read more)

Staying safe when you apply for a job online

Linda Criddle — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:47:00 GMT

If you’re looking for a new job, the Internet is a valuable tool both for searching out new opportunities and for letting potential employers learn about you. But as with all things online, you need to look both ways and consider the risks attendant to...(read more)

Cybercrime: How online crooks put us all at risk

Linda Criddle — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:35:00 GMT

This excellent article outlines the scope of cybercrime in this country and around the world. I highly recommend you take the time to read the entire article, and review the visual ‘map’ of how all of this fits together as it will really help your understanding....(read more)

Online gambling problems in teens and college students

Linda Criddle — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:35:00 GMT

On this page Why teens and college students gamble Where there’s unregulated gambling, there's cheating by casinos and dealers Gambling addiction among youth Talking to teens and college students about gambling If you do choose to gamble online, consider...(read more)

The High Cost of Online Vigilantism

Linda Criddle — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:27:00 GMT

Acts of online vigilantism should be seen for what they are – undisciplined displays of vengeance. Frustration with the lack of appropriate and enforceable laws should drive the demand for online laws and standards, not online anarchy . Examples of Internet...(read more)

DonorsChoose.org: A Great Gift for the Holidays – Or Any Other Time

Linda Criddle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:42:00 GMT

Though the news is filled with recounts of Internet crimes, the vast majority of online interactions are overwhelmingly positive experiences that enrich lives If you haven’t already heard of it, let me acquaint you with DonorsChoose.org , one organization...(read more)

Four safety tips for using public computers

Linda Criddle — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:36:00 GMT

My niece used an Internet café in Peru to send a few instant messages. About half an hour after she logged out, I got an IM with salacious remarks and knew she’d just had her account hijacked. To help keep you safe from this form of identity theft, I‘ve...(read more)

Technology at Mugr.com is Only Frightening if its Users Make It So

Linda Criddle — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:02:00 GMT

That's a direct quote from mugr CEO, Dan McClary, who displays a shocking attitude, disowning any responsibility for harm enabled by his new image recognition service. If you haven't yet heard about mugr, it is a face recognition service which...(read more)

Information is Forever on the Internet: Think Before You Post

Linda Criddle — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 23:12:00 GMT

Never before has information had the potential to be so permanent. Imagine, for example, that the library in Alexandria had been stored online, safe from fires, wars, or the damage of time to paper and papyrus. On the Internet, data is stored in many...(read more)