Consumer Security Expert Offers Tips, Advice for Online Safety

According to Microsoft® experts, some of the biggest threats facing consumers online this year are fraud-related attacks that criminals use to trick consumers, who think they are dealing with a trusted source, into revealing personal information. Despite the growth of online crime, the survey found that more than half of online U.S. adults age 18 and over (58 percent) admitted they had little to no knowledge of current online threats and scams.

Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to building technology solutions that help people have a safer and more secure online experience has proved to be a valuable component in helping people evade online threats, but the survey results reveal the continued need to educate consumers on ways to avoid these crimes. Microsoft can discuss the following:

•Key findings from Microsoft’s consumer online fraud survey
•How men and women differ in survey results — who claims to be more knowledgeable, who is a more frequent victim, and other facts
•What are the major online threats and cybercrime techniques being used today?
•How can people better secure their PCs and their personal information?
•How can parents better protect their children on the Internet?
•What resources are available to help consumers evaluate potential threats and secure protective technology?

Adrienne Hall, consumer security expert, Microsoft

Adrienne Hall, a 17-year Microsoft veteran, is senior director of communications and marketing for Trustworthy Computing, a Microsoft initiative focused on providing secure, private and reliable computing experiences for everyone.

Interviews are now available. To schedule one, contact Margeau Lebeau, (425) 638-7120, mlebeau@waggeneredstrom.com. -Microsoft