I know some of you are probably sick and tired of hearing me harp about security, but I continue to talk about it because the threat is real and it is growing. In keeping with our "Teach a man to fish" philosophy, I believe that because we all have different levels of private information on our computers, different web surfing habits, different interests in online content, etc. each of us must develop a personal "security strategy" based on our security needs. The only way to accomplish this is to understand what and where the threats are so we know how to address them.

For the next two or three months, we will be doing a series of programs, SIGs, seminars, newsletter articles, and classes aimed at helping you understand, and deal with, the numerous threats to your privacy and security both on and offline…and we're off like a herd of turtles.

Online Editor's Note: Following is the portion of the article inadvertently omitted in the original publication.

To start with, you don't have to be connected to the Internet to have security risks. If you keep any type of personal information or anything you consider important to you in your computer files, you have security risks! What if your hard drive fails? We've all read Clarence's newsletter articles about the importance of backing up our data. Did you pay attention, or did you think to yourself…Oh, I don't have any important personal information stored in my computer!? Do you have a current backup of your e-mail address book, or would you have to manually re-enter all those names and numbers?

Just a short time ago, when you checked your e-mail, you felt confident that your recently updated anti-virus software would protect you from even the latest worm, trojan, or virus. In today's world there are 10 to 12 new viruses each day, and don't forget the variants of the ones that were new yesterday, or last week. Oh yeah, that quilters' group newsletter you subscribe to...the clickable link the editor included in this month's edition is surely safe…isn't it? While we're at it, that funny joke, or religious tract, or petition to your senator that had 273 other names and e-mail addresses displayed in the "To" line…Puh-leeese don't forward it to me!!!

Do you wonder why you get all those e-mails offering cheap prescription drugs, body part enhancements, or low mortgage rates...even though you so carefully checked out that banner ad you clicked on to learn how to eliminate spam? Or could that have been caused by clicking the "Sponsored Link" you found when you Googled that search for low air fares to Miami?

With all your caution about making purchases or paying bills online, you might be surprised how easy it is for "data miners" to collect a lot of information about you and your personal interests.

As I said, we are going to attempt to lead you through the steps necessary to protect yourself from the baddies.

Online Editor's Note: You can see the planned schedule of Focus on Security events here.

Safe Computing,
Terry