Assignment

__How Safe Do You Surf?__
Most people believe they are safe when they are online, yet the statistics for computer crimes continue to rise. In this assignment, YOU will create the perfect resource for all things cyber safety! You will use your creativity, navigation skills, research skills, and knowledge to educate your fellow students and your cyber community about how they can protect themselves online.

You will be divided into groups as follows:

Cyb er Bullying
The [|NCSA] defines cyber bullying as "Threats or other offensive behavior sent online to a victim or sent or posted online about the victim for others to see." Your group will discuss what cyber bullying is, why it is a problem, who it primarily affects, and, once cyber bullying is identified, what can be done to prevent it.

Cyber Community Citizenship
Just as Lincoln is your community, you have a community online. If you use e-mail, social networking sites, instant messaging, blogging, forums, or any other communication site, you are in a cyber community. Just as our physical community has rules and acceptable behaviors, your cyber community does, too. Your group will discuss these rules and expected behaviors, dangers, benefits, and safety precautions.

Cyber Predators
There are many horror stories of kids who fall prey to adults using the internet to exploit and abuse children. Could one of your classmates be the next victim? Your group will discuss ways in which cyber predators find their prey, how the grooming process works, and what you can do to stay safe.

Cyber Security
Many dangers face us online today, and your group will discuss some of these and how we can avoid these dangers. Your group will discuss hacking, phishing, spamming, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. You will teach your classmates how they can keep themselves and their computers safe.

Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is the property created in the mind. These creations are generally creative (songs, photographs, etc.) and are protected legally. Owners/creators of intellectual property are granted exclusive rights to this property, which is intangible by nature. Your group will first explain what intellectual property is and why it is protected. You will then develop materials explaining things like P2P networks, illegal downloading, "bootlegging", etc. Explain why these acts are wrong, both legally and morally, and what the consequences are for those who violate the law.

You will post discussion of your topic on the assigned page. More detailed information about the assignment will come at a later date.