FCC and FTC Chairman Urge Consumers to Protect Their Privacy Online

The chairmen of the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission on Friday jointly encouraged the public to take safeguards to protect themselves, their privacy, and their personal information online.

In a joint statement, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowsi and FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz stated that while people nowadays are relying on the Internet to stay in contact with people, education, entertainment and news, they need to be more aware of online fraud.

Developed and managed by the FTC, OnGuardOnline.gov is a joint effort of 12 federal agencies and 18 non-government organizations that have recently partnered with the FCC to help promote online safety and security.

This site provides tips to consumers to be on guard when using the Internet. Also included are tips on how consumers should secure their computers, protect their personal information as well as back-up important digital files.

This site also features information about phishing, social networking, laptop security, and wireless access and protection. This site also has a guide for kids, tweens and teens “about the risks of inappropriate conduct, contact and content.”