Preface

I was inspired to write Own Your Space when the two teenagers in MY house managed to destroy what I thought was a pretty darn secure home computer network. I was more inspired when I realized that Douglas and Eric weren't looking to break things or even trying to impress me when they brought down systems on our network. They were just using the Internet the way normal teenagers do.

After that, I started keeping a closer eye on the boys' online lives. I noticed that unlike many adults I know, the boys were hyperaware of things such as low bandwidth and slowing connection speeds. While they weren't yet aware that those symptoms often reflected an infestation of adware or malicious code, they were astoundingly tuned in to even minor changes in their online capabilities. It occurred to me that nowhere would I find an audience more in need of computer security advice. Even better, nowhere would I find an audience more likely to not only understand but actually implement proper security measures. After all, the boys weren't protecting anything as esoteric as critical corporate data. This was a major part of their social lives—something REALLY important.

Who This Book Is For

This is a book for every teen and is an essential resource for every parent. Especially though, this is a book for the computer-savvy, keyboard-comfy teens who use the Net every day and want to know how to secure their systems, lifestyles on the Net, and their data. This book provides important details to keep those teens, their privacy, and their identities safe in cyberspace.

This is a book for normal teenagers like you. I realize that you understand quite a bit about computers, probably a lot more than your parents. I also know from my own teens where the gaps in your computer knowledge tend to fall. I've written this book to address those gaps.

Because I know your time is limited, I've kept it short and tried to focus on the important aspects of security. I've also included examples and case studies of real teenagers just like you.

Even if you're a power user, this book is still for you! Sure, you'll know a number of the details I'll be covering. Still, I'm willing to bet that you'll find a number of details you weren't aware of before. And you'll certainly find a lot of detailed information you should share with a less enlightened friend, sibling, or parent. Therefore, if you already know everything in this book, please pass it to your parents!

Who This Book Is Still For, Just Not Quite 100% For

You'll find that while this is a book full of details, it isn't a book full of numbered instructions, and I tried to keep screenshots to a minimum. I wanted to write a book you would want to sit down and read, not another 400-page technical manual filled with screenshots. To any Mac users, I apologize for including only screenshots based on Microsoft XP. Much as I wanted to include all variations, I didn't want to stress the seams on your backpack in the process. Still, 80% of this book applies every bit as much to Mac users as everyone else.

As you're reading through, keep that in mind. Hackers tend not to target Macs as often as PCs, but when they do the results are every bit as annoying and potentially devastating. However, expect the bad guys to start targeting Macs simply because they can as that platform continues to expand. Therefore, Mac users need to follow the same security procedures—installing firewalls, updating antivirus software, and so on. You simply need to do so using software designed for the Mac.

What You'll Learn

This book is designed for any teen who is:

• In fear of drive-by downloads of nasty adware, spyware, and viruses

• Trying to stay safe on MySpace

• Worried about online predators and identity thieves

• Scattering secrets to the wind in favorite hotspots

• Shopping online without protecting parental credit card and financial data

• Blogging alone and in the dark

Need to know about these topics? If you're online at any time, you bet you do.

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