VOLUME 58

   ISSUE 58

27 May  2016

The Internet is a wonderful tool that allows us to communicate, build relationships, gain and share knowledge and express ourselves. However, in recent years we have seen an increase in internet related crime, especially those targeting women and children. In a recent study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, it was found that cyberbullying is now a �serious public health problem� with 7-15% of teenagers experiencing online abuse. The anonymity provided by the internet has fueled the spread of cybercrimes, particularly the online variants of offline crime such as cyber bullying.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services defines cyberbullying as �bullying that takes place using electronic technology�. In another definition by stopcyberbullying.org it is explained as �when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.� According to the above definition, cyberbullying is more relevant to minors or children and when adults get involved, it becomes cyber-harassment or cyberstalking, not cyberbullying.
Children could become victims of cyberbullying through emails, text messages and via social media sites. A more comprehensive classification of cyberbullying attacks is as follows.


Table 1: Types of cyberbullying (Based on http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/how_it_works/index.html)

There are many methods to prevent cyberbullying. Described below are some of the methods that can be used to respond to and prevent cyberbullying.
However, these are only cases the FBI is aware of.
 

Table 2: Methods of preventing and responding to cyberbullying (Based on Hinduja & Patchin, 2012)

Being bullied whether online or offline is not a pleasant experience. Cyberbullying intensities the feeling of helplessness and sense of security because bullies can easily hide their online identities. Children are specially at risk because cyberbullying can lead to depression, anxiety and affect self -esteem in the victim. Therefore, when using the internet be mindful about your own safety and respect the privacy, human dignity and freedom of others.

Dr. Hemamali Tennakoon

Research and Policy Development Specialist, Sri Lanka CERT|CC

References

DDoS Attacks: Bigger, Stronger, Scarier

"...Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a target with activity so that websites can�t be accessed by legitimate traffic. In other words, your bank, entertainment company, newspaper, e-commerce portal�even your Internet connection where you�re killing it on Xbox Live�slows to a crawl or crashes.

DDoS attacks have been widely reported since 2000, and increase year-over-year in size, number, and intensity. They are time-tested, nearly impossible to prevent, very cheap to rent, and can have devastating, lasting consequences...."

'...As usual, the principal OS X update applies to the current flavour of the operating system, El Capitan (OS 10.11), with a separate security update to patch the two versions before that, Mavericks (10.9.5) and Yosemite (10.10.5).

Users of OS X 10.8 and earlier are out of luck: those versions are in the same boat as Windows XP when it comes to security � unsupported and unpatched...'

AUDIT: DHS EMPLOYEES NOT FOOLED BY PHISHING SCAMS

'....First, the good news: Recent �social engineering� tests undertaken by an independent auditor reveal Homeland Security Department employees are getting savvier about basic cybersecurity.

But the bad news: Some employees are still leaving sensitive paper documents strewn about their cubicles.....'

'....Virtual reality�s ability to immerse viewers in new worlds has fueled talk of a fundamental change in how consumers experience media. While interest is growing in the emerging technology, and companies are racing to ship virtual reality headsets and content, one of the most popular areas of media consumption � sports � is unlikely to see major changes...'

'...The role of network engineer is changing as companies undergo digital transformations. To keep pace with the changes, Cisco is refreshing its core routing and switching certification to ensure that certified network pros have the right skills as companies move toward Internet of Things, cloud computing, network programmability and policy-based network management......'