E-mail for Kids
Setting up Secure E-mail for Kids
Every parent wants their kids to enjoy the internet and its vast resources, but also ensure they are safe.
Doing this requires you to explain to the kids about online threats, how to identify and protect themselves. Education plays a significant role in the child’s learning process, and you have to talk to the kids about malicious sites, cyberbullying, etc. E-mail for kids must be safe, and you can set up secure e-mails for the kids. Here are a few things to ensure your kids stay safe.
E-mail for Kids Security
In 2015, there were 4.5 billion e-mail accounts in the word, and they were projected to increase by an approximate 30% up to 2019. With the advent of smartphones, we have become more actively involved with e-mail. It is easier to check e-mails on your smartphone while on the go. Since e-mail is a huge part of our online personas, more children are opening e-mail accounts for social media. E-mail for kids is not complicated. If they are too young for social media, they can also use it to keep in touch with relatives who live far.
How do you ensure e-mail for kids is secure?
Set Up Two-Step Verification
The two-step verification is the most critical security setting you can add to your child’s e-mail account. This verification adds a protection level to the child’s e-mail. To activate this step, add your phone number to your child’s e-mail account. Every time they log in from a different device, you will receive a code via SMS. Which ensures nobody hacks into the account.
Review any recent security changes, such as password changes and recovery options. Check the devices recently used and scan for any suspicious activity.
E-mail for Kids Password Security
A secure password is complex, with a mix of lower and upper case, numbers, and special characters. Ensure you show your child how to do this, and let the child participate in the activity. The child might forget the password, so you might consider getting a password manager.
Protect Your Smartphone or The Child’s Smartphone
Since the two-factor authentication uses a smartphone, it would be wise to ensure the smartphone stays in safe hands. Have the phone secured by a password that only the parents and children know. Ensure they know the phone should never be given to anyone. The other much better option for e-mail for kids’39; security is to ensure you register your phone number. If your phone is not password protected, it beats the purpose of two-factor authentication as anyone can see the code.
E-mail For Kids Should Never Be Accessed From Public Wi-Fi
E-mail for kids should never be accessed from a public browser. Ensure the browser the child uses is secure and up to date. Hackers love to target outdated browsers. Man-in-the-middle attacks are commonly launched from obsolete browsers. Teach the children the dangers associated with such browsers.
Keep All Software Updated
Up to date, all malware software on your PC or child’s device. Ensure the children understand the dangers of clicking on links received via e-mail. E-mail for kids security starts with them and how much they know, but the software will also block suspicious e-mails and prevent phishing attacks. Phishing involves the sending of malware via e-mail links, which ask the user to click on them. Once the user clicks, they are sent to a bogus site owned by the hackers. They then proceed to ask for login details and hack into the account.
The Kids Should Not Link Apps to Their E-mail
Kids love to download apps. If the child gives Third-party app access to their e-mail, they become vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Hackers are good at hacking e-mail for kids and can compromise the apps and cut them into their accounts.
Install a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts all data from all devices in your home. Encryption makes it hard for hackers to steal data. A VPN masks your child’s identity and hides the ISP address. E-mail for kids is very vulnerable and would greatly benefit from VPN.
Conclusion
E-mail for kids is hard to monitor unless you keep a tight grip on who the child talks to. Teaching them how to recognize phishing scams in critical to their safety. Logging into public Wi-Fi such as in malls and cafes should be discouraged unless you have protection from a VPN. Children need constant reminders, so keep checking what they are up to.