FBI Director’s call for a united front to combat cyber threats hits home

Last February, director Robert Mueller, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation said spoke at the RSA Cyber Security Conference in San Francisco.

“We need to abandon the belief that better defenses alone will be sufficient,” Mueller said. “Instead of just building better defenses, we must build better relationships. If we do these things, and if we bring to these tasks the sense of urgency that this threat demands,” he added, “I am confident that we can and will defeat cyber threats, now and in the years to come.”

This advice translates to the family network.

When we form a united front with our children about using the technology in ways that are consistent with our values, and honoring the house rules for personal security, the cyber threats perpetrated by individuals in the network have less potential to cause harm.

Don Vilfer, President of Califorensics (a Sacramento firm specializing in cyber-related investigations), agrees, especially when it comes to mobile devices, which potentially expose individuals to pedophiles, extortion, identity theft, cyber thieves, and bullying. In particular he warns parents and children to consider the additional security risk behind photos, which can be used to exploit children and track down their location.

“Once something is sent from their device (phone, iPad etc) they lose control of it. Sending the sexy picture could have consequences or in up in the wrong hands later,” Vilfer said. “Photos also often contain location data (GPS) that could lead a stranger to your exact location.”

Vilfer also encourages parents to have tools in place for the likely event that a mobile device is lost or stolen. “Emails, photos, location data could be accessed by the unscrupulous if they find or steal your phone or your child's phone,” Vilfer said. “Many phones and phone service companies offer the ability to remotely wipe your device once it is lost.”

Parent Resources

• Banana Moments: Help for Parenting in the Network Culture
• Receive Banana Moments quarterly and monthly updates via email
• The Authority In Me
• Californensics
• Sacramento FBI
• CyberParenting Topics on The Fish 103.9FM Tuesdays
• Follow Joanna @CyberParenting
• Like Banana Moments
• Like Three Moms and a Mike

(Ref: 833-e)