Digital

The Fairfax Community Library understands
we live in an age of ever-increasing digital tools and platforms,
and navigating these media can be difficult.

Page Contents: In Our Collections | Resources – Scam Prevention & Recovery | – Internet Safety | – Information Credibility

In Our Collections

Content forthcoming–check back often!

Resources

Scam Prevention & Recovery

Scam Prevention Plan, courtesy of the Vermont State Attorney General’s Office.
Fraud Watch Network by AARP

AARP Fraud Watch Network(TM) is a free resource for all. With AARP as your partner, you’ll learn how to proactively spot scams, get guidance from our fraud specialists if you’ve been targeted, and feel more secure knowing that we advocate at the federal, state, and local levels to protect consumers and enforce the law.”

Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)

“The ITRC is a non-profit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime.”

Scam Prevention Through Awareness and Education from the Vermont State Attorney General’s Office

“Your report helps us track scam trends and alert the public about scams. If you experienced monetary loss or provided the scammer with sensitive personal information, our office [of the State Attorney General] can offer support.”

Scam Recovery Information from the Vermont State Attorney General’s Office

“You are not alone.” Find vital steps to respond to and recover from after scammed.

VT-ALERT

Receive scam alerts.

Internet Safety

Internet Safety Tips by the National Domestic Violence Hotline

Important digital and internet safety information for everyone to know.

Internet Safety Tips by UNICEF Parenting

Important digital and internet safety information for everyone to know.

Digital Defense Fund (DDF)

“Our mission is to leverage technology to defend and secure access human rights movements working for autonomy and liberation. We envision a future where technology and innovation support secure, autonomous decisions, free from stigma.

“We work to accomplish our mission by providing digital security and technology support to organizations and individuals working across movements. Our small but mighty team works hand in hand with our grantees as partner, service provider, and funder to ensure they have the solutions they need to achieve their goals.”

KidzSearch

“KidzSearch offers a unique solution to this important problem [of age- and otherwise-inappropriate content appearing in Google results when searched by kids]. When a search is done on KidzSearch.com, it can only return Google ‘strict’ search results and is not dependent on any computer, cookie or browser settings. The same trusted high-quality search results as Google are returned, but without adult content mixed in them.  In fact, the results are actually from Google via our direct partnership with them. We just enforce that they are fully filtered for students. Further, KidzSearch maintains a constantly updated list of banned keywords and adult site names that go beyond what Google SafeSearch filters for added protection.”

Right To Be

“Right To Be’s work ranges widely, but our goal is simple: we want to build a world where everyone has the Right To Be who they are, wherever they are. A world that’s free of harassment and filled with humanity.

“Our mission is to build safe, inclusive public spaces by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination.

“We carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.”

Surveillance Self-Defense (SSD) by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

“Surveillance Self-Defense (SSD) is EFF’s online guide to defending yourself and your friends from surveillance by using secure technology and developing careful practices. In addition to tutorials for installing and using security-friendly software, SSD walks you through concepts like making a security plan, the importance of strong passwords, and protecting metadata.”

Information Credibility

Fact-checking and reliable, credible, unbiased information is more important than ever, whether for a (school) research project or for understanding current events and the news.

Fact vs. Fiction–Determining Credibility by BFA-Fairfax Library

Guides your review of sources of information and helps you determine if said sources are credible and why (or why not).​

International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at Poynter

“The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at Poynter was launched in 2015 to bring together the growing community of fact-checkers around the world. The network advocates for information integrity in the global fight against misinformation and supports fact-checkers through networking, capacity building and collaboration. IFCN’s network reaches more than 170 fact-checking organizations worldwide through advocacy, training and global events. Our team monitors trends in the fact-checking field to offer resources to fact-checkers, contribute to public discourse and provide support for new projects and initiatives that advance accountability in journalism.

“We believe truth and transparency can help people be better informed and equipped to navigate harmful misinformation.”

Snopes

“When misinformation obscures the truth and readers don’t know what to trust, Snopes’ fact-checking and original investigative reporting lights the way to evidence-based and contextualized analysis. We always link to and document our sources so readers are empowered to do independent research and make up their own minds.

“Snopes got its start in 1994, investigating urban legends, hoaxes, and folklore. As demand for reliable fact checks grew, so did Snopes. Now it’s the oldest and largest fact-checking site online, widely regarded by journalists, folklorists, and readers as an invaluable research companion. Snopes.com is an independent publication under the company ‘Snopes Media Group Inc.,’ which is owned by Chris Richmond and Drew Schoentrup (each owning 50%).

“Snopes is a member of IFCN and in compliance with the International Fact Checking Network’s highest standards of combating misinformation online.”