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Idaho Transportation
Department

Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
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Stay safe: Don't surf with computer sharks

How do you remain safe while surfing? Avoid shark-infested waters. That same principle applies to surfing the Internet as much as it does the ocean. Stay away from the sharks who are determined to steal your identity, rob your bank account or lure you to unwanted places.

During this, National Cyber Security Awareness Month, ITD employees are encouraged to take basic precautionary measures when browsing the Internet or reading e-mail, whether at work of at home, explains Forrest Anderson of ITD’s Information Services

He recommends that employees become familiar with and use eight practical guidelines provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). The not-for-profit organization serves as cyber security resource for awareness and education. Its services apply to home users, small businesses and education alliances.

“Much of this we do automatically behind the scenes for our ITD users,” Anderson said. “But it good to raise awareness of our employees for both work and home use. There is some particularly good information about protecting our children online (see recommendation No. 8 below).

A public-private partnership, NCSA sponsors include the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Trade Commission, and many private-sector corporations and organizations. The organization provides tools and resources to empower home users, small businesses, and schools, colleges, and universities to stay safe online. For more information, visit the alliance Web site at www.staysafeonline.org.

The organization’s super eight security recommendations are: (Click on each of the topics for more details.)

1. Protect your personal information. It's valuable.

2. Know who you're dealing with online. And know what you're getting into.

3. Use anti-virus software, a firewall, and anti-spyware software to help keep your computer safe and secure.

4. Be sure to set up your operating system and Web browser software properly, and update them regularly.


5. Use strong passwords or strong authentication technology to help protect your personal information.

6. Back up important files.

7. Learn what to do if something goes wrong.

8. Protect your children online.