Free WiFi: Why you should avoid it

© Provided by: Capital.gr

• First -European-wide- the Greeks in online gaming. Almost last in their knowledge of the internet
• 70% of Greeks are connected to the internet “on the go” via a portable device. The overwhelming majority (9 out of 10) are young, aged 16-27
• 90% of young people aged 16-24 are connected daily with social networks (facebook, twitter, snapchat, etc.) for more than 4 hours
• A large percentage of photos in social media that show children in their daily activities end up in a pedophile site!

The President and Founder of the Cyber ​​Security International Institute (CSIi), Mr. Manos Sfakianakis, presented a series of important data and information on the spread of Internet use and misuse throughout the world, as well as in our country (Greece), during a lecture entitled: “Internet: Crime and Security”, held at the Institute of Public Health of the American College of Greece, in the framework of the 3rd Public Health Lecture Circle.

The former Commander of the Electronic Crime Prosecution Service of the General Police Directorate referred to the benefits of the internet and to the dangers of the gigantism of the digital crime phenomenon, while at the same time indicated to the public useful and practical ways of preventing them.

Myths and Realities:

“Do not connect to the Internet via free Wi-Fi networks,”

stressed Mr. Sfakianakis, who added that free Internet is a gentle and easy way to steal personal data (photos, videos, etc.) from mobile devices:

“Use free Wi-Fi only in places you trust, e.g. in your home and not in public places, “

highlighted and clarified myths and misconceptions about the use of the Internet:

• We are not anonymous on the internet, but every action of ours leaves electronic tracks!
• Whatever we publish on the web is never erased, even if we delete it!
• Everything we read on the internet is not true and we must always verify the source!
• There is no 100% Internet protection!

“The only secured computer is the turned off computer,”

said Mr. Sfakianakis.

Minors and Grooming:

Speaking about the phenomenon of minors’ deceiving by strangers on the internet, the CSIi president stressed the need for parents to communicate properly with their children. Mr. Manos Sfakianakis said -advising the audience- that it is better the computer cameras located in the rooms of the houses and especially of the children’s (rooms) to be covered with a sticker, as the interested people have a way to see through them, even if the computer is turned off. He also stressed that parents should not be too strict with their children, so they feel comfortable trusting them.

Pornography of minors:

Child pornography ranks second in crime worldwide after arms trade. In Greece, possession, trafficking and -under conditions- viewing child pornography files are punishable. However, as Mr Sfakianakis argued, although the legislation is strict, few are actually punished. Nevertheless, between 2004 and 2016, more than 1,000 criminal cases were prosecuted in pedophiles. The president of the Internet Security Institute (CSIi) advised parents not to upload their children’s photos to social networks, as these pictures that show children -even in their daily activities- often end up in pedophile sites, as proved by a large research in Australia.

Source: www.capital.gr