As parents, we have concerns on Internet safety for all of our family members. This morning I spent some time gathering some of the best published resources out there. Most of these are non-technical and easy-to-understand.
Security is a two part process. Part one is the technical protection associated with anti-virus software, firewalls, Windows Updates, Anti-Spyware, etc. Part two is in the human behavior aspects, where security can be seen as SEC-U-R-IT-Y. The "U-R-IT" part means that "You are it". While the bad guys are the source of the problem, so is ignoring the risk. For example, if you ignore speed limit or stop signs on the highway, you'll run into trouble. It's the same way with computer security.
The best advice I have for parents is "To Teach your Children well". Spend quality time with family members teaching them to avoid email/IM attachments and URLs, recognizing spam (there are no free lunches out there), and most importantly the bad people on the Internet (e.g., predators - which thankfully law enforcement is on the lookout for). The knowledge of Internet risks and how to avoid them is as important as the technical safeguards we employ on our family PCs.
Below are some resources that might help:
SEARCH ENGINES -- There are numerous resources of good pages in google, MSN, or other search engines:
http://www.google.com/search?&q=how+to+stay+safe+on+Internet
http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=how+to+stay+safe+on+Internet
GREAT FAMILY PROTECTION LINKS -- I particularly liked these for both children and in fact it applys to all home users:
http://www.staysafe.org/
http://www.sass.ca/safe.htm
http://www.safekids.com/
http://www.safeteens.com/safeteens.htm
http://www.bettybookmark.com/i/internetsafety.htm
http://www.staysafeonline.info/
http://www.chaminade.org/MIS/WebSafety/30ways.htm
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=76&content=336
http://familyinternet.about.com/cs/internetsafety1/a/aa8safesteps.htm
http://www.wiredsafety.org/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/features/2004/03/internet_safety/index.shtml
http://www.bcentral.co.uk/technology/security/stay-safe-online.mspx
http://www.haltabuse.org/resources/online.shtml
http://www.hubbardtwppd.org/Homeland/online.htm
SAFETY QUIZ -- Below is a 10 question Internet safety quiz that your family members can take in just a couple of minutes:
http://www.iol.ie/~dromore/safety/quiz/quiz.htm
OTHER GREAT RESOURCES - I've always liked the work done by MS "at home", CERT, and Kim Komando:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.mspx
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/home_networks.html
http://www.komando.com/