Date: 2009-10-12
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Washington, D.C. – As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz today encouraged the public to take steps to protect themselves, their privacy, and their personal information online. The Internet has connected Americans to each other and the rest of the world like never before.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Washington, D.C. – As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz today encouraged the public to take steps to protect themselves, their privacy, and their personal information online. The Internet has connected Americans to each other and the rest of the world like never before. But those connections can also be exploited by scammers, so consumers need to be alert for online fraud and safeguard their personal information.
FCC Chairman Genachowski said, “The American public increasingly relies on the Internet to
create, exchange and receive information, news, education, and entertainment and it is critical
that all consumers take precautions to protect their privacy and ensure their well-being online.
Consumers should stay alert, recognize the potential risks associated with cyber crimes and take some simple precautions to help reduce their chances of falling victim to scams.”
FTC Chairman Leibowitz said, “The Internet presents many opportunities for information and
entertainment, commerce and communication. But it also comes with risks, such as viruses,
hackers, and online scams. The FTC is committed to protecting consumers by stopping con
artists from committing fraud online, working to preserve the privacy of consumers’ sensitive
personal information, and educating people on how to use technology safely and securely
through sites like OnguardOnline.gov. And, the FTC is committed to working with our sister
agency, the FCC, to promote consumer protection in the online marketplace.”
OnGuardOnline.gov
To promote cyber safety outreach and education, the FCC recently partnered with OnGuardOnline.gov, a joint effort of 12 federal agencies and 18 non-government organizations,
developed and managed by the FTC. OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical and timely tips to help consumers be on guard against Internet fraud, secure their computers, and protect their personal information. Among the recommendations that consumers should follow:
Use security software that updates automatically;
Keep operating systems and Web browsers up-to-date;
Keep passwords private and secure; and
Always back-up important files.
OnGuardOnline.gov features guidance, entertaining games and quizzes on a variety of topics,
including phishing, social networking, laptop security, and wireless access, and has a special
section about protecting kids online. Indeed, the site features a new guide, Net Cetera: Chatting
with Kids About Being Online with tips about talking to kids, tweens and teens about the risks of
inappropriate conduct, contact and content.
For More Information
If you think you've been a victim of an online fraud -- or if you think you have downloaded
spyware or malware -- file a complaint in English or Spanish with the FTC at www.ftc.gov
or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, identity theft and other fraud-related
complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil
and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety
of consumer topics, click http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm.
For information about other telecommunications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the FCC’s Consumer
Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-
888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232. News and other information
about the FCC is available at www.fcc.gov
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
Robert Kenny
(202) 418-2668
Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov
Peter Kaplan
(202) 326-2334
PKaplan@ftc.gov