Internet Predators

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Who Are Internet Predators?

Internet Predators are like most any other criminals. They rob, steal, cheat and, even, kill. The most highly publicized predators are those who solicit children, but they are far from being the most common.

In the offline world, murderers get the most headlines but they are far from being the most common criminals. We tend to let our guards down. We don't have enough proper information about how to deal with the problems. Or, simply, we don't understand the information we have.

Identify theft was the number one consumer complaint in 2001 and has remained high on the list. Of course, most identity theft is not computer-related. Stolen purses or wallets are very high on the list, and there really are people who search through trash.

However, there are a number of computer schemes designed to steal your identity. We strongly recommend you read our articles:

Spyware is any computer program that captures information about you. It's unfortunate that the good and the bad are all called spyware. Most information tracking cookies simply allow you to have a more pleasurable experience online. You log into your online banking account and a "good cookie" is placed on your computer. It allows you to go from page to page of your bank account without the need to type in your password information on every page.

One of the worst information tracking cookies is called a keylogger. Just as the name implies, its job is to track your keystrokes -- and send that information to someone else. Your keystrokes (what you type) will include your login and password information for sites you visit such as banking, credit cards and investment accounts.

Be sure to read our articles, What is Computer Spyware? and What is a Computer Cookie?

Predators Seeking Children

Arkansas is no different from any other place on earth when it comes to victims of Internet Predators. Thirteen year old Kacie Woody, like thousands of other teenagers, considered her Internet friends to be just that: friends. She provided personal information, including her phone number, to some of her unseen cyber friends. Kacie lived just outside Holland, Arkansas - population 597, not very far from Conway where her body was found.

Nearly everyone involved in this politically charged atmosphere quotes the 1999-2000 study by the Crimes against Children Research Center (CCRC, also mislabeled as CACRC). The CCRC is a project of the University of New Hampshire, and that study found that 1 in 5 children on the Internet had received a sexual solicitation while online.

A 2005 study by the same group found that solicitation had decreased to 1 in 7 but that children viewing "unwanted" images continues to increase. Still, one out of seven (14%) is too many. And viewing "unwanted" images is almost preventable in today's world.

A conclusion of the 2005 survey authors is part of the problem, "Internet providers and host sites need to do more to protect youth from unwanted pornography." NO! Parents need to do more to protect children from that stuff.

Please continue by reading, What Parents Can Do.