Linda's Blog

Protecting Children From Online Sexual Predators

Linda Criddle — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:44:00 GMT

I recently asked “how can parents help protect their children from sexual predators online?”. The answer is, the same way you help keep them away from predators everywhere else. Protect children when young, arm them with the skills they need to value...(read more)

Cellphones Help Connect Families

Linda Criddle — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:59:00 GMT

N ew research confirms what many families already knew – cellphones help them stay closer. While most news articles focus on the negative aspects of new technologies and Internet services, the benefits we reap as a society, as couples, as families, and...(read more)

LOOKBOTHWAYS and CyberPatrol Launch Internet Safety Video Series

Linda Criddle — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:09:00 GMT

October 6, 2008 In recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, LOOK BOTH WAYS and CyberPatrol have created four family-oriented Internet safety videos that give parents, educators and others, quick and accessible advice on how to protect children...(read more)

Crime in the Cyber’hood – Teens and Trouble

Linda Criddle — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:01:00 GMT

Parents so frequently say “my kid wouldn’t even know how to commit a _(fill in the blank_) crime” that it’s time once again to help educate adults on the Internet-and-crime-connection. It used to be that the best training ground and recruitment site for...(read more)

Senate Bill 1738: Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2008

Linda Criddle — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:38:00 GMT

The Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2008 is coming to a vote in the senate. This bill needs to be approved. Law enforcement agencies are valiantly struggling against the tide of online criminal activities with antiquated laws and severe underfunding....(read more)

Back-To-School with Internet Safety

Linda Criddle — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:05:00 GMT

Aug 28 th 2008 The phrase back-to-school conjures up thoughts of trying on clothes to see what fits and what doesn’t, and purchasing the notebooks, pens, and other paraphernalia your student needs for the year ahead. However, new to most parents is the...(read more)

New Scam Type – The ‘News Alert Scam’

Linda Criddle — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:53:00 GMT

If you receive news alerts for various news topics, you may have seen this latest form of spam that grabs pieces from current news stories, and then mixes them with common search terms to return fraudulent results among your legitimate news feed search...(read more)

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)

Human Trafficking

Linda Criddle — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:55:00 GMT

On this page Understanding human trafficking Follow the money: the Internet's role in sex trafficking Take action More information about human trafficking Human Trafficking and the Internet Slavery isn't a relic of history; it is the third most lucrative...(read more)

Free trials may have big hidden costs

Linda Criddle — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:39:00 GMT

The first time you discover you’re being charged for a free trial service is often when your review your credit card statement. Many companies practice this nasty tactic, and it often takes calling the company directly to find out that free may not really...(read more)

The financial and emotional impact of identity theft

Linda Criddle — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:08:00 GMT

The theft of your Identity can have an impact on your financial security, your medical history, and your basic sense of security. It also leaves you vulnerable to new attacks in the future. Identity thieves still steal most information using old fashioned...(read more)

Wedding Registries – What you need to know before you begin

Linda Criddle — Wed, 21 May 2008 06:05:00 GMT

We’re fast approaching wedding season, and wedding registry sites are humming with action. These wedding sites have advanced far past the simple registry of gifts of old; they now typically include blogs where brides, grooms, families and friends can...(read more)

When did you last compare browsers?

Linda Criddle — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:45:00 GMT

I am frequently asked for advice about which browser is safest, so I finally put my biases aside (13 years at Microsoft) and compared Internet Explorer (IE) 7 to Firefox 2 . I found that in spite of my familiarity with IE, I’ve come to agree CNET’s...(read more)

How friends can expose you online

Linda Criddle — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:31:00 GMT

There is a great deal of discussion about how users – and the focus is usually on teens – out themselves at risk online by sharing too much information. Less discussed, but of equal concern, is the inadvertent leak of information by friends...(read more)

Keep spyware off your computer for free

Linda Criddle — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:19:00 GMT

If you don’t have an antispyware program on your computer, get one NOW. Spyware is so prevalent today that it will contaminate every Internet connected computer that is not protected from it. It will slow your computer, corrupt your hard drive,...(read more)