The moment you connect your computer to the Internet you can access many resources, both positive and harmful. Failing to protect your kids while they are on-line exposes them to many dangers. The dangers can be exposure to inappropriate material or disclosure of personal information. Using the Internet, it is easy for kids to find groups of people who encourage any type of behavior imaginable. There is a nearly unlimited supply of groups your child can get mixed up with. To make matters worse, the natural curiosity of children and the perception of anonymity on the Internet make exploring very easy. Being an interested parent is your first line of defense. A little accountability goes a long way.

This section of the Solomon Consulting Inc. web site is dedicated to the pursuit of keeping kids safe on-line. There are some simple steps you can take that will dramatically reduce the chance that your child will become a victim of on-line abuse.

The steps are simple. They are also similar to the steps we take to secure commercial systems. Follow the following few steps and you can enjoy the many resources available on the Internet today without the worry that the “bad stuff” is creeping into your home.

Most home computers in use today are connected at one time or another to the Internet. Any connection to a public network creates security issues. There are data confidentiality and integrity issues, as well as malicious code that could be transported to your machine via the Internet. In addition, many attackers look for unprotected machines to use as launching platforms for new attacks. You could find investigators knocking on your door and wanting to know why your machine was used to crash ACME's web server.

If you use any home computer program to manage financial or medical information, you have confidential data. Other information you probably store on your home computer, such as addresses and other personal information could be used by attackers to steal identities or create other financial problems. Simply put, you must protect your system's data by protecting your system.

This document discusses some of the common problems that are specific to home computers and how to secure your system. The steps are simple and can be accomplished by almost anyone who can surf the web.