Cybersecurity for children on the Internet

We all live in an informational environment. Computers, tablets, smartphones, video intercoms, social networks, cloud storages, electronic diaries, contactless payment - it’s hard to imagine a sphere of life into which modern technologies have not yet penetrated. General informatization cannot be stopped, and at the same time one should not ignore the dangers hidden in it. Along with the benefits and opportunities of the latest information technologies, special attention should be paid to information security. Hazards on the Internet can trap anyone. But cybersecurity for children is especially important because they are the most vulnerable to threats in the network and to cyber fraud. According to Kaspersky Lab, Russian kids spend much more time on the Internet than members of the younger generation in Europe and the United States. With the development of the Internet, illegal content is also increasing, the cases of aggressive behavior of some users in relation to others and cyberbullying are becoming more frequent. Many become victims of fraud and malware. CODDY's cybersecurity course for children from school will not only teach safety rules, but also help protect your personal data and confront fraudsters and criminals.

Information safety of children on the Internet

Modern children can’t imagine life without the Internet and their gadgets. At the same time, they are much faster than adults mastering new technologies and more confidently using information resources. However, such confidence in conjunction with the lack of life experience is often the cause of problems. All types of fraud that exist in the real world, are also online. Only there it is practically not controlled due to the anonymity of users. Hacking accounts, phishing, harassment on the network (cyberbullying), gambling, unwanted content, suspicious dating, waste of parental money, viruses - these are just a few things that a child can face on the Internet. A special place is occupied by social networks.

Safety in social networks for children

Most often, children actively use the Internet for communication - social networks and instant messengers account for more than 70% of the activities. Officially, social networks can only be used from the age of 14, but children want to have this opportunity much earlier, so they consciously assign themselves extra years when registering an account. In this case, the child should understand that all information on the network is available to almost anyone. This is used by intruders. The rules for online safety for children are at least the following:

·       When registering on websites, forums or social networks, do not enter confidential personal data (address, phone number, parental bank card number, etc.)

• Carefully read the user agreement
• Less personal photo and video content;
• Do not indicate your location and frequently visited places;
• Do not parade welfare;
• Do not save and periodically change account passwords;
• Carefully refer to friend requests and various online offers.

This is only a small part of what the child learns about safety in social networks for children in our course.

What will a full cybersecurity course give to your child?

Our teachers are confident that it is better to learn security lessons from other people's examples, and not from your own. And they will teach how to turn evil for good. This course is not about how to work as a hacker and hack sites for money. We do not teach future criminals. Much attention is paid to the legality of actions and the moral component of any action.

Our goal is to teach how to defend, not to hack. To do this, it is enough to have a general idea of ​​hacking methods and be able to use protective equipment well.

Usually, having played “hacker” enough in the classroom under the supervision of a teacher, the child quenches his interest in destructive hacking. And the methods of protection remain in the memory for a lifetime. Like the envy of peers to your child's unique experience. Not every adult can boast that he hacked the most popular social networks and postal services, even in the classroom with the permission of the teacher.

The course consists of 4 modules. The first two are designed for children 7-14 years. In these classes, computers will not be needed, because we are with children:

• we will write encryption;
• learn to invent and memorize complex passwords;
• practice social engineering;
• let us analyze in practice the device locks.

The third and fourth modules are designed for children 11-14 years. During these modules classes will be held using computers. We will study in practice:

• the structure of viruses;
• website security;
• various information security tools used today in major companies;
• security when using means of payment.

On a cybersecurity course, your child will already be able to advise you and your friends on information security issues. In a few years, without any difficulty, he will be able to master prestigious and popular profession of the information security specialist.

Guidance when choosing a course

Upon completion of the course, each student receives a personal certificate from CODDY.