Online Safety for Autistic People
Online Safety for Autistic People
From email to online shopping to discussion forums, the internet has become an essential part of our lives. It can also be a wonderful social outlet for autistic people because they are able to communicate with other people without the need to read body language or make eye contact. However, because autistic people may have difficulty detecting signs of deception, they may also be at risk for online scams. Here, we discuss some do’s and do nots for online safety for autistic people.
Dos:
- Install security software on your personal computer such as Windows Defender, and keep it up to date.
- Keep your web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge) up to date. All browsers have security vulnerabilities, but over time, browser manufacturers release updates to fill in security gaps. If your browser goes out-of-date, it will be vulnerable to known security weak-points.
- If you are using a mobile phone, keep your applications and operating system up to date using official methods, such as automatic updates.
- Create filters in your email to identify junk and spam. Unscrupulous people sometimes send out official looking emails that ask you to click on a link. When you click on that link, bad actors might get personal information about you and your device, or you may inadvertently download malware. Sorting junk and spam into separate folders reduces the likelihood that you will accidently get scammed.
- Report emails that appear to be junk or spam (i.e. emails suggesting that you won a free trip or mail from someone you do not know). Most email services (gmail, Outlook, etc…) have options for reporting junk/spam emails. Google “how to report junk (or spam) emails” for the service that you use. This will ensure that you don’t receive emails from those sources again.
- If you do receive an official-looking email that asks you to do something or click on something, click on “show details” for the sender’s information. If the sender’s email does not match the company supposedly emailing you, the email is probably a scam. For example, someone from your credit card company is not going to email you using a gmail account.
- Look for signs of legitimacy by looking for contact information and if the website is secure (i.e. a green lock icon in the URL/address bar of the web browser and a private policy link on the website).
- Choose complex passwords that are different for each website you access. This is especially important for your physician, banking, and similar websites
Don’ts:
- Accept a friend request from someone you do not know or a friend request from someone you have already befriended (these are likely scams so confirm with your friend via phone call or text if they made a new account before proceeding).
- Repeatedly message someone. Wait at least a day to send another message, and if they do not respond after three messages, do not send more messages until they respond.
- Share personal information such as your social security number or banking information.
- Use inappropriate language or post /upload inappropriate pictures.
- Search for information about illegal drugs, weapons and bombs, murder, and assassination.
What information should you not share online?
As a general rule, you should never share the following information online:
- Social security number
- Financial information
- Health status
There may be appropriate times to share other types of information, such as your phone number, email, address, and credit/debit card. For example, if you are messaging your doctor, you may need to talk about health conditions, or if you are buying something online, you may have to enter your credit card information. However, in those cases, sharing information should be done through a secure website (look for a lock icon next to the search bar and an “https” in the web address).
If you are unsure, discuss with your banking or health provider in person or via their company phone number directly.
How do you know if you are being cyberbullied and what do you do about it?
Cyberbullying is when someone repeatedly harasses, mistreats, or makes fun of you online. Approximately 37% of middle and high school students have reported being cyberbullied. If you are being cyberbullied, confide in someone you trust and show them the messages that the bully has been sending you. If the person continues messaging you rude comments, block them. As a last resort, consider reporting the individual to the local authorities.
Some examples of cyberbullying include the following:
- Receiving mean or threatening messages, calls, or emails. This may start off as playful “teasing” but comments made about your appearance, personality, interests, etc., but it can become more frequent and harmful.
- Spreading secrets or rumors about you to tarnish your reputation.
- Posting embarrassing pictures of you. This can include pictures you asked a friend not to post or photoshopped images that poke fun at you.
- Creating fake accounts to ridicule you.
- Impersonating someone else to learn information about you and sharing that information with other people.
How can you recognize catfishing or scams?
Catfishing is when someone disguises themselves as someone else to take advantage of another person. Often, catfishers will create a fake profile using pictures that are not their own in order to manipulate other people. Therefore, one thing that you can do to determine if someone is catfishing you is search the images on their profile to see if those images are being used for another profile. To do an image search, right click on the image and click on “copy image link.” Then, go to google.com and click on the “search by image” option (looks like a colorful camera on the search bar). Paste the image link into the search bar and search. This information can 1) show you who may have created the fake profile, and/or 2) confirm to you that the profile is fake.
Catfishers usually ask their targets for money, gifts, or inappropriate pictures. So, if you are talking to someone online that you don’t personally know and they ask you for any of those things, block them and alert the police. Be sure to never send money or inappropriate pictures of yourself, even if you think you know the person.
Money extortion is also a common form of exploitation done online and is when someone tries to scam or blackmail someone into giving them money. Unfortunately, it has been estimated that about 50% of adults with autism have been tricked into giving their money or possessions away because of an online scam. As a general rule, if anyone asks you for money online, don’t give it to them and ask someone that you trust for guidance.
Article by: Nicole Steel and The Autism ToolKit
Resources
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sarrc-online-safety-manual_3-e.pdf
Other resources you may be interested in
Please enjoy our articles and contact us if there’s a topic you would like more information about.