Cybersecurity issues during COVID
There are three levels in which cybersecurity matters can pervade: (1) via the operating system; (2) via the Internet browser; (3) via the app; (4) via malicious software targetting 1-3.
There are some basic things that end-users can do to protect themselves. Each requires that the end user toggle settings; go to privacy and security; and then select each of the checkboxes to “block Ads” and to “turn off Notifications”.
Sometimes there is nothing that the end user can do to protect against such content that is driven by cookies, text files that provide and ID tag with the visitor machine details, unless cookies are turned off and the privacy setting slide bar is high protection against third party apps that record this data to track repeat visits. But sometimes extensions of YouTube or Pandora are targetting by hackers that are exploiting applications “on the fly”.
But what happens when the end-user is a child? Do we expect that children have the capacity to toggle these settings, some of which are buried in about 4 or 5 layers of detail? What if the end user is someone who has cognitive delay? Is it parental responsibility? Is it the responsibility of teachers at school? Or is it the responsibility of the company who offers the software to consumers?
5Rights Foundation provides some guidelines beyond cybersafety, in relation to the rights of children.
Helpful links:
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How to block Ads: https://help.getadblock.com/support/solutions/articles/6000061189-ads-aren-t-being-blocked-on-youtube-or-pandora-in-chrome
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Zoom security tips: https://zoom.us/security
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The following in-meeting security capabilities are available to the meeting host:
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Secure a meeting with end-to-end encryption
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Create Waiting Rooms for attendees
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Require host to be present before meeting starts
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Expel a participant or all participants
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Lock a meeting
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Screen share watermarks
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Enable/disable a participant or all participants to record
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Temporary pause screen-sharing when a new window is opened
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Password protect a meeting
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Only allow individuals with a given e-mail domain to join
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FBI cybersecurity issues during COVID: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/press-releases/fbi-warns-of-teleconferencing-and-online-classroom-hijacking-during-covid-19-pandemic
Source: Katina Michael with Melinda James, 3 April 2020, “Cybersecurity issues facing Children and Employees during COVID”, ABC Illawarra: Breakfast, https://www.abc.net.au/radio/illawarra/programs/breakfast/breakfast/12098922