TM INTERNally: Meet the #Trendterns

You visited ‘Simply Security’ (and thanks for that) but you may be confused about this “TM Internally” headline. Perhaps, you were on Facebook or Twitter in Trend Micro land and you clicked on this #trendtern hashtag for curiosity sake. Either way, welcome to the new program from Trend Micro that is actually benefiting the students of today and the technology leaders of tomorrow.

That’s where I come in.

I am one of the Trender Summer Interns for Trend Micro who specializes in marketing (officially) and wherever anybody needs grunt work done (unofficially, but more literally). I kid, I kid…I’ve actually gotten to do some pretty cool cyber, privacy and security stuff here at Trend Micro so far and it’s only been three weeks.

To introduce myself formally, my name is Keely Clarkson. I am a sophomore at Kansas State University (EMAW!) studying Apparel Marketing, and presently debating a minor in either general marketing or public relations. We’ll see after this summer what I decide after some hardcore technology and real life experiences at Trend Micro.

When I first accepted this position, I knew less than the average employee about Internet security. In fact, if we’re being honest, I didn’t know much about computers in general. Osmosis got me by because my dad is a tech guru, who has worked at several different software companies, fixed everyone’s computers and has bought all the latest technology for us since I could spell “MAC”. Personally, I use the Internet for the basics: Twitter, Instagram and daily Google searches like “one tree hill spoilers” or “Rebecca Minkoff’s new denim line.” However, there is one thing I have been able to glean from my dad – a fair amount about being safe online.

At first, his instruction on privacy and security online sounded more like adults on a Charlie Brown cartoon than wise words from my knowledgeable father that somehow managed to sink in. However, they stuck.

After surviving my first year of college, I noticed the little pieces of knowledge I did retain regarding Internet security were leaps-and-bounds above my peer’s knowledge level. Sharing personal information online, downloading bogus anti-virus, clicking on infected links promising “FREE STUFF” and watching the new pirated Twilight film are just the daily things young adults do to put themselves in danger online. I realize my generation grew up with the Internet, and because of this luxury, we are comfortable enough with it (good and bad) to utilize its features recklessly as a daily tool for all our needs from social networking, to e-commerce, to research. Most of us are completely clueless to the serious danger we put ourselves and our information in by careless usage of computers.

My goal this summer is to expand my knowledge on Internet and computer safety so that I can share the information with my peers, and educate them on how to utilize the Internet in a more secure, safe, private and efficient manner.

In the next few weeks, I look forward to utilizing this blog, social media and other outlets to document my experiences at Trend Micro along my journey as a #Trendtern. I will share what I learn with everyone, but more specifically young adults and college students just like me. And leave this world in a better place, or something sentimental like that my professors at K-State will appreciate.