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6.2 Remaining Safe and Secure Online

Also, be especially cautious of financial loss or theft when purchasing game elements using
real cash. The cost of buying “extras” with online games can add up quickly and substantially.
Last, but certainly not least, be careful of developing an online gaming addiction. One of the
biggest dangers of these games is that you can waste many hours playing and actually become
addicted to them and avoid other important aspects of your life (Get Safe Online, 2015).

Pornographic Websites

Pornography can be defined as visual or printed materials that contain explicit displays
or descriptions of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic feelings or sexual
excitement. Because the Internet is international, no one set of laws applies everywhere to
the publication, distribution, purchase, or possession of Internet pornography. In the United
States, the public, lawmakers, and the courts have battled for decades over clearly defining
what is pornographic and whether pornography is protected by the First Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution as free speech or is obscene and not protected.

Child pornography, however, is treated severely under both federal and state laws and is not
protected under First Amendment rights. Federal laws consider child pornography to be a
J.r. Bale/Hemera/Thinkstock
form of child sexual exploitation and define it as any visual depiction of sexually explicit con-
Installing security software isn’t enough to protect
duct involving a minor (someone younger than 18 years old). Federal law prohibits any per-
your computer. You have to take the time to update
son from producing, distributing, importing, receiving, or possessing any image of child por-
the software and scan it regularly.
nography. Violation of these laws is punishable by fines and a prison sentence that can range
from a minimum of 5 years to life imprisonment (U.S. Department of Justice, 2015).
To control access to pornographic material on your computer, you can purchase software
applications called antipornography filters. Examples include NetDogSoft’s Anti-Porn Filter,
which attempts to block sites of this nature from appearing on your computer. Some safety
and security software also allow you to set parental controls on your computers and phone
to control access to certain material, and computer operating systems have privacy settings
and parental control features that can help. However, it is important to realize that no filter is
100% effective in blocking pornography.

Computer Threats

As a public space, the web can be a very useful way to find information, shop, find enter-
tainment, and stay connected with family and friends. However, it can also be a minefield
with hidden dangers you must be aware of and protect yourself against. In addition to pri-
vacy issues and the dangers of identity theft, other safety and security threats are common
in today’s electronic world. In this section, we discuss other types of threats that exist when
you use digital devices and actions you can take to protect yourself and your data to minimize
your chances of becoming a victim.

Some of the hazards you encounter might simply result in inconvenience or temporarily crash
your computer or mobile device. Others, however, can permanently damage your computing
devices or seriously harm you, your family, your reputation, or your finances. The best
defenses are knowledge and preventive action.

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