While many parents would like to protect their children from the dangers of going online by simply disallowing any computer time, this is just not an option in today’s world. With more school demanding Internet-based homework and more educational materials making their way online, it’s practically impossible to avoid. Even elementary school children need access to the internet these days to do Mathletics for example.

So, how can parents ensure their children get their schoolwork done while making sure their online time is safe? Here are some tips to enable both working and surfing in an safer environment:

• Monitor all online activity personally – Try to make sure a child’s computer – even a teenager’s – is placed in a location where parents can keep their eyes on activity. Many families place computers in their dens or create a family office where everyone can work and play.
• Use an online protection program – Programs like Norton 360 offer parental controls so parents can easily set what websites a child can visit and ban others from a particular machine. This is an excellent way to help protect children – and a computer – from the dangers that lurk online.
• Consider keyloggers – There are some programs parents can access that will enable them to see and read everything their children say in chat rooms and other potentially dangerous locations.
• Demand access to all user names and passwords – Do not allow children to create online accounts without permission – even for school. This includes email addresses, social media accounts and so on. Be sure to keep a list of all user names and passwords and check a child’s account frequently for any worrisome correspondence.
• Lay ground rules – Parents can and should lay ground rules for online use. Children should be made aware of those rules and they should adhere to them. The rules might include limiting online time for schoolwork only, setting a certain amount of “play” time and so on.
• Talk to children about the dangers – Children need to be made aware of the kinds of dangers that lurk online. For example, they should know that not everyone on a social media website or in a chat room might be who they say they are. Be frank and straightforward when discussing the potential dangers.

The internet is becoming a necessary tool for daily life, even for children. Parents can take measures to ensure kids are safe when they’re online. When the right moves are enacted, the benefits of the internet can be enjoyed without opening the door to the potential perils.

Consumers looking for a way to protect their computers from viruses while making sure their identities are protected have a new option from Symantec. The company has recently rolled out its Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta testing program.

The program enables would-be buyers to try on Norton 360 Version 6.0 before they buy it. In addition, they can also provide Norton with valuable feedback about the program’s operation, usefulness, user friendliness and more. In exchange for feedback, users are given an opportunity to buy the final release version at a discount.

So, what is offered in Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta that makes it worth the look? Here are the four focal points of this software package:

• PC Security – Like other products created by this PC security software leader, Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta offers a robust system of protections against viruses, Trojans, worms, bots and other potential threats. The program includes a smart, two-way firewall and a host of other features that are designed to lock a machine against threats. In addition, it provides continuous updates to ensure users have the latest antivirus protocols installed on their machines.
• Identity Protection – With cybercrime on the rise, protecting personal identity is critical for anyone with a computer. Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta does this by offering a variety of features that are mean to safeguard users online. Some of the features include stored passwords, alerts against fraudulent websites and more.
• Backup protection – No matter how secure a machine is, data can be lost. Norton recognizes this and responds. The Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta program offers a variety of backup options, including facilitation of backups to other devices. In addition, users will find offsite storage is also available in limited capacity. Upgrades are feasible as is the case with other Norton backup packages.
• PC Tuneup – Making sure Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta continues to offer the holistic coverage that previous versions of the program provided was important to programmers. With this in mind, this particular version still offers the same tune up tools that are designed to speed up PC performance and enhance user experience.

Now, what is new for this software is this:

• Norton Identity Safe in the Cloud,
• Norton Management,
• Download Insight Stability Ratings, and
• Bandwidth Management.

Norton 360 Version 6.0 provides computer users with a well-rounded suite of protections. This program is designed not only to put a lock on security, but also to help users enjoy their online and offline experiences more. Beta testing is available for a limited time. After that, computer owners will be able to purchase the full version at standard retail rates.

 

With more than 8 million known victims in 2010 alone, identity theft is a concern that just about everyone needs to be aware of. The bad guys are willing to use a variety of attacks to gain the information they want, so their potential victims need to be aware and proactive to avoid them.

Unfortunately, some people falsely believe that identity theft only occurs on the Internet. With this in mind, they don’t enact protections for themselves or others in their lives. To better understand just who needs identity theft protection, it helps to have a clear picture of what these thieves do and what information they go after.

Just What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft involves the unauthorized access and use of a person’s personal information. The information may include Social Security numbers, bank account information, credit card numbers and more. Identity thieves seek to use their information for their own personal financial gain. Even in the case of a newborn, there is a potential vulnerability. A Social Security number, for example, can be stolen and then used to establish an “identity” and set up accounts under a fabricated persona.

Identity thieves use the information they gather in a variety of ways. They include:

• Straight theft – Capture a credit card number and other identifying information and a thief can easily use these things to make purchases that are charged to another. They can also take bank account information and use it to drain accounts to their own advantage.
• Elaborate theft – That newborn’s Social Security number is a good example of a more elaborate scheme. In this type of case, the thief might use the information to create a whole persona that can be used to establish new accounts that can be used for financial gain. The parents of the newborn might not even know the theft is going on until years later.

The Dangers

While most banking institutions and credit card companies have mechanisms in place to protect their clients from undue losses related to identity theft, victims often find their good names, credit and lives have been violated and even ruined. It can take a great deal of time to straighten out theft when it happens. In the meantime, victims might have trouble gaining credit, landing employment and more.

Identity theft is a concern for everyone. Since attacks and be high-tech and low-tech alike, the reality is no one is immune to the need for protection. Programs such as Norton 360, Norton Internet Security, and LifeLock identity theft protection and others are potentially valuable tools that can help protect against this type of crime.

The Norton 360 security software from Symantec provides confirmed performance. It offers you a light and fast all-in-one solution for PC and online protection. With Norton 360, you are protected against botnets, hackers, worms and viruses. In addition, you are safe from online identity theft, all of your important files are protected and your PC will always run at top performance. All you need is a single subscription and up to three of your PCs will be under Norton’s protection.
Here are some of the questions that people are asking about Norton 360:

• What exactly is different about the Norton 360 Premier Edition?
  The difference between the Norton 360 regular edition and the Norton 360 Premier Edition is the online storage space, which is included in the package subscription. The subscription to the regular edition comes with two gigabytes of storage space and you have the option to buy more if you so choose. On the other hand, the Norton 360 Premier Edition comes with twenty-five gigabytes of online storage space and you still have the option to purchase even more.
• Can I use coupons when buying Norton 360?
  Yes, you can use coupons when you are shopping for Norton 360. The product coupons can be applied subsequently to putting items in your online shopping cart on the Norton website. Once you enter the coupon code in the designated field, just click on the button to apply. If the coupon code you use is valid, you will see the price of your order change. Visit the Norton Coupons page to find some great moneysaving offers.
• If I have already installed Norton 360 on three PCs, can I remove it from one and install it on a different computer?
  The Norton 360 security software can only be installed on three computers at a single time. If you have another computer on which you wish to install Norton 360 and you do not want to purchase an additional license, you have to uninstall it from one of the existing PCs before you can install it on the new computer.
• If I already have an older version of Norton 360, am I eligible for an upgrade?
  Yes, if you have a valid subscription for an older version of Norton 360, you are eligible to receive a free upgrade to the most recent version. However, it is not an automatic upgrade. You must install the latest version manually. Begin by downloading the most recent version available at the Norton Update Center. Then simply install it and use your existing Norton 360 product key.

More frequently asked questions with answers can be found at this Norton 360 FAQ page.