Safety and security 

8.1 Physical Safety

Safety Issues:

• Electrocution (spills, live cables):

  • Causes: Spilling liquids on electronic devices or equipment with exposed wires can lead to electrocution. Using faulty cables or improperly grounded equipment increases the risk.

  • Prevention Strategies:

    • Keep drinks and liquids away from electrical devices.

    • Use cables and equipment with proper insulation.

    • Ensure that outlets and power strips are properly grounded.

    • Install circuit breakers to protect against electrical faults.

• Fire (overloaded sockets, overheating):

  • Causes: Overloading electrical outlets with too many devices, or leaving electronic equipment on for long periods, can cause overheating and potential fires.

  • Prevention Strategies:

    • Never overload power strips or electrical outlets.

    • Turn off devices when not in use.

    • Use equipment that has proper safety certifications.

    • Ensure adequate ventilation for electronic devices to prevent overheating.

• Tripping (trailing cables):

  • Causes: Cables left on the floor or in walkways can cause people to trip and fall.

  • Prevention Strategies:

    • Keep cables organized and out of pathways.

    • Use cable management systems or cable covers to avoid tripping hazards.

    • Regularly check and maintain cables to prevent tangling.

• Injuries (falling equipment):

  • Causes: Equipment or devices not properly secured may fall and cause injury.

  • Prevention Strategies:

    • Secure heavy equipment and devices on shelves or desks to avoid falling.

    • Use stable furniture to support heavy electronics.

    • Ensure cables and devices are safely stored to avoid accidental falls.

8.2 eSafety

Data Protection:

• Principles of Data Protection Acts:

  • These laws set out the rules for how personal data should be collected, stored, and used. They emphasize data security, user consent, and transparency.

  • Need for Data Protection Legislation:

    • Ensures individuals' personal data is kept safe.

    • Protects people from misuse of their data and prevents data breaches.

Personal Data:

• Characteristics of Personal and Sensitive Data:

  • Personal Data: Information that can identify an individual, such as name, address, date of birth, and photos.

  • Sensitive Data: Information that requires more protection, such as medical history, religious beliefs, and financial information.

  • Need for Confidentiality and Protection:

    • Personal and sensitive data must be protected to prevent misuse, identity theft, and breaches of privacy.

eSafety:

• Need for eSafety:

  • Protecting individuals while they use the internet, email, social media, and engage in online gaming is essential to prevent harm, fraud, and abuse.

• Minimizing Dangers:

  • Internet:

    • Trusted Websites: Ensure that websites visited are legitimate and secure (look for HTTPS).

    • Age-appropriate Search Engines: Use search engines designed for children to filter inappropriate content.

  • Email:

    • Unknown Senders: Avoid opening emails or attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.

    • Personal Data/Image Risks: Never share personal information or sensitive images through email unless it's to a trusted recipient.

  • Social Media:

    • Blocking/Reporting: Block or report individuals engaging in harmful or inappropriate behavior.

    • Meeting Online Contacts: Be cautious when meeting online contacts in real life, ensuring safety and security.

    • Inappropriate Content: Protect children from inappropriate content through privacy settings and parental controls.

    • Inappropriate Language: Promote respectful communication, discourage hate speech and bullying.

    • Confidentiality: Avoid sharing confidential information on social media platforms.

  • Online Gaming:

    • Real Names: Avoid using real names in online gaming to protect privacy.

    • Personal/Financial Data: Never share personal or financial information while gaming online, as it may be exploited.

8.3 Security of Data

Threats to Data:

• Hacking:

  • Protective Measures: Use firewalls, secure passwords, encryption, and regular software updates to defend against hacking attempts.

• Phishing, Pharming, Smishing, Vishing:

  • Phishing: Fraudulent attempts to steal personal information via fake websites or emails.

  • Pharming: Redirecting users to fraudulent websites to steal personal data.

  • Smishing: Phishing attempts via SMS or text messages.

  • Vishing: Voice phishing, where attackers impersonate legitimate organizations to steal data over the phone.

  • Prevention Methods: Be cautious of unsolicited messages, use multi-factor authentication (MFA), verify the authenticity of contacts or requests, and do not click on suspicious links.

• Viruses, Malware:

  • Preventative Actions: Install and update antivirus software, avoid downloading files from untrusted sources, and be cautious with email attachments.

• Card Fraud:

  • Shoulder Surfing: Protect PINs and card information from prying eyes.

  • Cloning: Use anti-cloning devices and regularly monitor your bank statements.

  • Key Logging: Use on-screen keyboards or encryption software to avoid keylogging.

Protection of Data:

• Biometrics:

  • Use of Biometric Data: Fingerprints, face recognition, iris scans, etc., are used for authentication and enhancing security.

• Digital Certificates:

  • Purpose and Contents: A digital certificate verifies the identity of a website or individual in online transactions. It contains a public key and the identity of the certificate holder.

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL):

  • Encrypted Links: SSL creates secure, encrypted connections between a web server and a browser, ensuring that sensitive data (like credit card info) is transmitted securely.

• Encryption:

  • Purpose for Data Protection: Encryption converts data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. It’s especially important for protecting sensitive data during storage or transmission.

• Firewalls:

  • Purpose: Firewalls filter incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking potential security threats from external sources.

• Two-factor Authentication (2FA):

  • Purpose and Function: Requires two forms of verification (e.g., a password and a code sent to your phone) to access an account, adding an extra layer of security.

• User ID and Password:

  • How They Increase Security: Ensuring strong, unique passwords (and using a combination of both letters, numbers, and symbols) prevents unauthorized access to accounts. Regularly updating passwords and avoiding reusing them across multiple sites also increases security.

Summary:

• Physical safety around technology involves ensuring that devices and cables are safely managed to prevent electrocution, fire, and tripping hazards.

• eSafety involves protecting personal data online, minimizing risks from internet activities, email, social media, and online gaming, while also encouraging responsible behavior online.

• Security of data includes protecting sensitive information from threats like hacking, phishing, viruses, and card fraud, using tools like encryption, firewalls, and biometrics to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.