Your Weakest Security Link? Your Children

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[Commentary] It’s a fact of life online: a network is only as strong as its weakest link. For many people, that weakest link is their children. They inadvertently download viruses. They work around security to visit sites their parents don’t want them to. They run up huge bills using their parents’ one-click ordering. And, most frustrating of all, many of them are far ahead of their parents’ ability to keep them from making mischief -- in fact, many of them act as the family’s de facto tech support. There are plenty of steps that not only will ensure your security but also make you a useful guide to your child. Here’s a look at the measures you should take:

  • Assess your tech -- and your children: Well-behaved 5-year-olds and rebellious 15-year-olds represent radically different security risks.
  • Beef up your security.
  • Clean up messes right: While good security practices can reduce your overall level of risk, you also need a plan for when that plan fails.

[Dr. Samuel is a technology researcher and the author of "Work Smarter with Social Media"]


Your Weakest Security Link? Your Children