Three-dimensional image of Internet safety zone. Zip the Internet safety police car zooms into the picture. Car door opens and camera zooms in on laptop screen in car. Camera zooms in to white screen.

Internet 101

Surfing safely

Naviguez en sécurité

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Black text on white screen.

Getting to Know Your Computer

Presented by Internet 101

Police and partners . . . working together to web-proof our communities.

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Image of trees, grass and water.

Music begins (plays throughout presentation).

Camera retreats and image becomes view out of a window. Camera continues retreating to show 3D image of a classroom with chalkboards, chairs, desks and computers.

Woman’s voice (speaks throughout presentation): Getting to know how your computer works is a good idea. For one, the more you use it, the more you’ll be prepared to troubleshoot any problems that arise.

Camera swings around classroom.

As your computer know-how increases, those technical glitches won’t seem so mysterious anymore.

But more importantly, being aware of the power of your computer and how people are using it, is the best knowledge of all.

Camera zooms in on chalkboard with writing on it.

The more comfortable you are with the way your computer works, the easier it will be for you to detect if your computer has been infected with a virus. You should pay particular attention to the following.

Text appears superimposed overtop of chalkboard.

your computer takes more time to start

your computer seems to be operating more slowly

programs you are not familiar with are loading on their own

hyperlinks have been added to your list of favorites without your knowledge

the default start-up page of your Internet browser has been changed

you notice that a new tool bar is being displayed on your Internet browser

shortcuts have suddenly appeared on your task bar

your firewall warns you that a program is attempting to access the Internet without your knowledge

your cursor is moving on its own on your screen

- your computer takes more time to start,

- your computer seems to be operating more slowly,

- programs you are not familiar with are loading on their own,

- hyperlinks have been added to your list of favorites without your knowledge,

- the default start-up page of your Internet browser has been changed,

- you notice that a new tool bar is being displayed on your Internet browser,

- shortcuts have suddenly appeared on your task bar,

- your firewall warns you that a program is attempting to access the Internet without your knowledge,

- your cursor is moving on its own on your screen.

Chalkboard fades and camera swings around 3D image of classroom.

These are just a few unusual occurrences. Your computer may act strangely in other ways, depending on what type of malicious software has infected it.

Camera zooms in on chalkboard with writing on it.

To protect your computer against a malicious software or spyware attack, you should take the following precautions.

3D image of paper airplane flies onto screen and flies out. Text is superimposed overtop.

Anti-virus

!?virus?!

up to three times a week

maximum protection

perform automatic updates

Install anti-virus software from a reputable company and make sure that it’s updated regularly. There are thousands of viruses circulating the Internet, new ones are created every day. Anti-virus software makers may update their software up to three times a week. To guarantee your computer has maximum protection against new viruses, update your software regularly. Today’s anti-virus software can even be programmed to perform automatic updates.

3D image of paper airplane flies onto screen and flies out. Text is superimposed overtop.

Update Operating System

regular updates that address flaws

perform these tasks automatically

Update your Operating System. Microsoft Windows issues regular updates that address flaws in its operating system. It is also possible to adjust your operating system to perform these tasks automatically.

3D image of paper airplane flies onto screen and flies out. Text is superimposed overtop.

Anti-spyware

to rid your computer of programs that execute unwanted actions

“pop-up” advertising

eliminate a hidden program

personal data or modify your computer’s configuration without your permission

Install a software such as Ad-aware to block unwanted ads and spyware. This type of software will allow you to rid your computer of programs that execute unwanted actions, such as displaying pop-up advertising. It can also eliminate a hidden program that extracts your personal data or modifies your computer’s configuration without your permission.

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Make it a habit to check specific folders on your computer regularly. Doing so will not only make you wiser about your computer’s behaviour, it will give you some insight about the habits of other people using your computer.

Camera zooms in on chalkboard with writing on it.

Moreover, the contents of some of these folders may hinder your computer from performing at its best.

Close up of chalkboard with writing on it.

The following is a list of seven folders you should get into the habit of checking on a regular basis.

Checkmarks appear beside each line of text on chalkboard.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

Text appears superimposed overtop of chalkboard, then fades away.

operating system

Windows 98

Millenium

XP

Depending on your operating system (such as Windows 98, Millenium, XP), the names and locations of the folders may vary. You may try to locate them on your computer using the search function.

Chalkboard fades to image of desktop on computer screen. Animated arrow clicks on Start button and chooses Explore.

To access these folders, you must use Windows Explorer. There are different ways to access them, but the following is the easiest: Right click on the Start button. Left click on Explore.

Image of Windows Explorer with two window panes.

Here is an overview of what Windows Explorer looks like. You will find two window panes containing several folders and their contents.

In the left pane, we see folders from your computer. When you click on one of those folders you will see, in the right pane, its files and other contents.

New image of Window Explorer. Arrow clicks on folders, opening them.

With Windows XP, each user has his own profile. You will notice, in the left pane, the user’s folders. Those folders reveal the user’s activities and habits while on the computer.

New image of Windows Explorer.

To examine some of your computer’s important folders, you must first ensure that all folders are visible, since a user may opt to make some folders completely invisible.

Arrow clicks on Tools and Folder Options window appears. Arrow clicks on View tab, then clicks on Show Hidden Files and Folders.

Select Tools in the menu and click Folder Options. Select the View tab. Under the Hidden Files and Folders heading select Show Hidden Files and Folders.

Arrow clicks on Hide Protected Operating System Files. Arrow clicks on OK, and window disappears.

It is preferable to uncheck the Hide Protected Operating System Files option. Now you can be sure that you are actually seeing all the files and folders on your computer.

Image of Windows Explorer fades to image of chalkboard with writing on it. Checkmark appears beside first line of text. Chalkboard fades to image of Windows Explorer.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

Instant messaging programs such as MSN Messenger can generate files containing archives of online conversations for all of the computer’s users.

Animation runs of various windows opening to demonstrate archive feature.

This archiving however is optional. Not only is a user able to choose where the conversations will be saved, the user may also configure the instant messaging program so that it does not archive the conversations at all.

When archived conversations exist, they will be found in a folder called History which is within another folder called My Received Files.

Returns to image of Windows Explorer. Arrow opens History folder.

Right click on Start, chose Explore go to: C:\documents and settings\ user name\my documents\my received files\user’s e-mail address\history.

Image of list of archived conversations appears.

Here is what archived conversations may look like. Keep in mind that the content may vary depending on the instant messaging program you are using. In this example, the pane on the right side displays a list of files identified by e-mail addresses.

Arrow clicks on one of the archived conversations listed, and a new window filled with text appears.

By double-clicking on one of the files, all the conversations that took place between both users can be viewed. These conversations contain the date and time when they took place.

Image of folder fades to image of chalkboard with writing on it. Checkmarks appears beside first and second lines of text. Chalkboard fades to image of Windows Explorer.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

Among important folders to be aware of, one is called Cookies. A cookie is a small text file that is automatically installed on your computer’s hard drive as a result of visiting a website.

Arrow opens Cookies folder.

Cookies are harmless to your computer. They cannot extract information from your hard drive.

Image of Cookies folder fades to image of Google’s website.

Websites use cookies to monitor traffic to their sites and in turn, this information may be used for marketing purposes and to personalize the site according to your preferences.

Google website fades to image of Internet 101 website, with choice of English or French.

english

français

For example, when you visit a website for the first time, you may be prompted to choose a language of preference in which to view the site.

The cookie, which will be installed on your computer as a result of this visit to the site, will automatically store your preferences.

Arrow chooses English and new page of Internet 101 website appears in English.

Upon subsequent visits, the website will be uploaded in the language of your choice without any prompting on your part.

Image of website fades to image of Internet Explorer and Cookies folder.

As mentioned earlier, cookies have no real value. They may, however, serve to indicate websites visited by the various users of your computer.

Arrow highlights one of the websites listed in the folder.

In this example it is easy to determine that the user visited the chumcity website on February 25th, 2006 at 08:53 PM.

New image of Window Explorer and Cookies folder.

Cookies may be deleted from your computer. In doing so, you will enhance your computer’s performance. Your computer will perform certain tasks more quickly.

Arrow highlights all the websites listed, right clicks and chooses Delete option.

Highlight all the cookies in the right hand pane, right click and choose the Delete option.

New window appears, arrow clicks on Yes.

You will be prompted to confirm that you want all these items sent to the Recycle Bin, click on Yes.

Image of Windows Explorer fades to image of chalkboard with writing on it. Checkmarks appear beside first three lines of text.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

The Favorites folder is useful in identifying a user’s interests and preferences.

The purpose of the Favorites folder is to allow a user to quickly access websites by choosing book marked sites therefore eliminating the need to type out the website’s address every time.

Chalkboard fades to image of Windows Explorer. Arrow opens Favorites folder.

This folder is may be located by going to:

C:\documents and settings\user name\favorites.

Arrow clicks on one of the websites listed in the Favorites folder, chooses Properties.

To obtain more information on any of the book marked addresses, right click on any one of them and choose Properties.

New window appears showing Internet address of the site, and date time site last accessed.

Under the Web Documents tab you will see the Internet address of the chosen site. Under the tab labeled General you will find the date and time the site was last accessed.

Window disappears.

It’s important to note that the name assigned to a bookmark does not necessarily represent that website.

The user may have named a bookmark PrIzEe.com - GaMeSs and FuN but in fact the bookmark leads you to sexchat.com.

Arrow clicks on one of the websites, chooses Properties. Window with website’s information appears.

To discover the real link associated to a bookmark you can simply right click on the bookmark, click on Properties and under the Web Document tab, you will see the name of the actual website.

Image of Windows Explorer fades to image of chalkboard with writing on it. Checkmarks appear beside first four lines of text.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

A document may be saved anywhere on a computer. The My Documents folder is an example of a folder within which the user may save documents.

It is a popular folder for storing documents as it is the default location provided by the operating system.

Chalkboard fades to image of Windows Explorer. Arrow opens My Documents folder.

My Documents folder can be found at: C:\documents and settings\user name\my documents.

Image of Windows Explorer fades to image of chalkboard with writing on it. Checkmarks appear beside first five lines of text.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

The My Recent Documents folder is, as its name implies, a folder where the most recently accessed documents may be found.

Chalkboard fades to image of Windows Explorer. Arrow opens My Recent Documents folder.

My Recent Documents folder may be found by going to: C:\documents and settings\user name\my recent documents.

Arrow double clicks one on of the entries listed in the window. Photo of man appears on screen.

By double clicking on one of the entries in the right hand pane, if the information still resides on the computer, the document will automatically open.

Photo of man fades to image of chalkboard with writing on it. Checkmarks appear beside first six lines of text. Chalkboard fades to image of Windows Explorer. Arrow opens History folder.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

The History folder contains a list of websites a user has visited. This folder is found at: C:\documents and settings\user name\local settings\history.

Arrow clicks on different entries in folder.

You will note the information is divided and clearly identified in terms of the time frame within which it was collected. Let’s take a closer look at what each of theses folders contains.

Click on one of the entries to see which websites the user visited on the Internet. Some of these sites may serve to reveal more information as to the interests of the user.

Much like the Cookies folder, the contents of the History folder may be deleted.

Arrow opens another folder and highlights several entries.

This folder may become filled with unnecessary information, which, in the long run, will slow down your computer.

Arrow right clicks and chooses Delete option. New window appears, arrow clicks on Yes.

Deleting the contents of the History folder will serve to increase your computer’s performance.

Image of Windows Explorer fades to image of chalkboard with writing on it. Checkmarks appear beside all seven lines of text.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

The folder named Temporary Internet Files contains a collection of photos, banners and other graphics from Internet sites visited by the user.

Chalkboard fades to image of Windows Explorer. Arrow opens Temporary Internet Files folder.

It may be found at the following location: C:\documents and settings\user name\local settings\temporary internet files.

Arrow double clicks to open one of the entries in the folder.

This folder keeps website information in memory on the computer. Each time a user visits the same website, only new information added to the site since the last visit needs to be loaded.

Image of website appears on screen. Image of website fades back to image of Temporary Internet Files folder.

This considerably speeds up the process of downloading websites. Regularly deleting the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder is a good habit to get into.

Arrow scrolls through list of entries in folder.

The large quantity of data contained in this folder may drastically reduce your computer’s processing speed.

Arrow highlights all the websites listed, right clicks and chooses Delete option.

Highlight all the files in the right hand pane, right click and choose the delete option. These files are now deleted.

Image of Windows Explorer fades to image of chalkboard with writing on it. Checkmarks appear beside all seven lines of text. Camera begins zooming out from chalkboard.

- My chat log

- Cookies

- Favorites

- My Documents

- My Recent Documents

- History

- Temporary Internet Files

As you can see, your computer can provide you with lots of information as to why it is not functioning properly or about the use others have been making of it.

Camera continues zooming out, showing the chairs, desks and computes in the 3D classroom.

Putting into practice some of the tips provided in this presentation, will allow you to protect your computer against malicious software and viruses.

Furthermore, by deleting the contents of specific files, you will enhance your computer’s speed in completing certain tasks.

Camera finishes zooming out to show whole classroom.

You will notice an immediate improvement in your computer’s overall performance.

Your computer is like a vehicle, it must receive regular maintenance in order to operate at peak performance.

Camera zooms back into classroom and focuses on window showing trees, grass and water. Text appears superimposed overtop.

Narration

Monique Beauchamp

Text/Original Concept

Robert Bisson

With assistance from

Yvon Brault

Dana Townsend

Daniel Mulligan

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CyberWise.ca

MPF - FPM

Canada’s SchoolNet

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Lafbros Multimedia

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