Union Technologist #29
May 1998

The Underside of the Internet

Some recent internet/email problems underscore the need for education and prudence when using online resources. As you allow your students to use the internet, it is important to also remind them that laws, school rules and ethics apply to the new electronic communication just as they would to any other form of communication.

It is important to be mindful of the negative aspects of electronic communication while putting into perspective the likelyhood of these things happening to you. There are many positive reasons to participate on the Internet. Be prepared to deal with a problem rather than avoid using these new communication tools. Be aware that even if you do not use the Internet, some of your personal information is readily available electronically.

These are some broad areas to watch out for:

1. Harassment. As with any communication medium, angry people can invade your personal space. If you receive harassing communication via email, handle it the same as you would a written communication or phone call. If it is school related, report it to school administration and the Union. The school district Rights and Responsibilities Policy 5133 applies to electronic forms of communication. Federal State and local statutes related to stalking, harassment, fraud, etc. can also apply. Serious infractions should be reported to the police.

   For more information read the recent ZDNet Anchor Desk article: CyberCrime Prevention Kit (http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_2022.html).

2. Unsolicited e-mail (SPAM): I have seen a recent increase in the number of unsolicited emails attempting to sell me something. These are just as annoying as the dinner time phone calls I seem to get every evening. Companies search web pages for e-mail addresses and then add them to mailing lists that they use or sell to others. In our free society, there is a constant give and take between encouraging communication and abuse of privacy. Laws dealing with unsolicited commercial email are currently being considered in Congress.

   If you are getting repeat messages from the same company or person, there are ways to filter those messages before you see them. This can be done at either the mail server or within your e-mail reader. If you are having a severe problem, you should let the postmaster of your email account know about it.

   The district maintains a searchable database of every employee's email address. Your school e-mail address is publicly available but not in a form that can be harvested automatically by direct marketers.

   More and more web sites are asking you to provide your email address and other personal information. Make sure you know what that site's policy is for use of that information before you provide it.

   For more information read the email abuse FAQ (http://members.aol.com/emailfaq/emailfaq.html); The Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email (HTTP://www.cauce.org/); and Help! I've been Spammed! What do I do? A guide for the beginner (http://www.tezcat.com/~gbyshenk/ive.been.spammed.html).

3. Protect your password(s). You have some responsibility for what others do in your name. You should never share your account or password with someone else. if you feel your password has been compromised, change it or ask your account administrator to assign you a new one.

   There are many web sites that ask you for a username and password in order to personalize your access. Don't use the same password everywhere. I have a "low security" username and password that I use at sites where no damage would be done if someone found out my access code. I have separate passwords for sites that have sensitive information, allow me to make purchases or perform administrative tasks. I am much more careful with these "high security" passwords.

4. Impostors and Hoaxes: It is easy to forge an e-mail. You cannot assume that all messages you receive are legitimate. Don't assume that an odd or inappropriate message actually came from the person listed in the From line. There is tracking information in the full header of a message that can help in determining where a message originated. Most email programs have a way to look at this additional header information. If you are unsure of the validity of a message seek help.

   A common email hoax requests that you forward a message on to ten or more of your friends. These are chain letters or multi-level marketing schemes. If money or items of value are involved it is illegal. In all cases, it is wasteful of everyone's time and Internet resources. If you would like to know more about hoaxes that have been perpetrated on the Internet, check out the Urban Legends web site: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/

5. Protect personal information: Assume that any public posting is probably archived, indexed and available to anyone for the foreseeable future. Even "private" e-mail messages are often archived and could be forwarded by the person you sent them to. Don't share information or make comments that you would not want the world to know. Never give out your social security number, that can be the key to your personal and financial information. These concerns apply doubly to personal information about your students. You have a professional and legal obligation to protect your students' privacy.

   Your e-mail signature appears at the bottom of every message you send. You can choose to include a physical address and telephone number. I suggest using your school address and phone number. Although it is not difficult for anyone to look up your telephone directory information, it is not necessary to publicize it in every e-mail you send.

The highly networked world we are entering provides both extraordinary opportunities for worthwhile communication and the possibility of abuse. Being "CyberStreetSmart" will help make it a pleasant experience.