Mind the gap, watch your step, look both ways, fasten your seat belt, and don’t talk with your mouth full! We are all used to being told what to do from a young age. Often the advice was focused on issues of safety. Let’s face it without our parents or guardians worrying about how we crossed the road as small children many of us would not be here today. What happens though when we become adults? Do we still listen to and accept the practical advice and guidance we need to have a safe and happy life? We are all being bombarded with advice as adults that’s supposed to achieve this very end. Stop smoking, drink less, invest for your retirement, watch your blood pressure, be good to your neighbours, eat five portions of fruit and veg each day. Ultimately the life style decisions we take are ours to make as we deem fit. As adults we have freedom of choice curtailed only by our moral values and the laws of our country. As a results then everyone plays by the rules, right?
Sadly not…….
The internet is an exception to the rules. Here you can be free to express yourself. Under a cloak of anonymity your able to visit the wonders of the world from the comfort of your own home. The only thing to stop you experiencing the very best the internet has to offer is your own imagination. That and thousands of criminals looking to infect your computer, steal your identity, rip you off and generally make your internet life unpleasant.
Fear not…….
The Get Safe Online organisation came into existence to help fix this very problem. A collection of organisations led by Government, supported by law enforcement and backed by commercial companies. I believe it’s fair to say that the solution to getting safe online is an industry one. One company alone cannot fix the problem in the same way the government alone cannot fix the problem. Technology can and will play an important part in the solution. Anti-virus solutions, firewalls, spam filters, encryption techniques, and the like are unable to make the internet a safer place by themselves. Microsoft continues to make deep investments in research and development in these areas.
Security is one of the top priorities of our company. In many respects when it comes to security I feel we have turned the corner and are heading in the right direction. Our Windows, Office, Server and tools products have all made significant changes and improvements in terms of security and reliability. Every day our security development teams wake up and receive reports on criminal exploits on the internet. Then they get to work, keeping one step ahead. We will continue to do our part in securing the products used by millions of people across the world, but we need help. Your help.
Worry not…….
First we need to stop worrying. It’s exceptionally easy to Get Safe Online by following the advice and guidance found on the site. Educate yourself on the latest techniques used by the criminals. Learn how to check your PC is secure. Know the tricks criminals use to obtain your personal data. Keep one step ahead by getting your computer and yourself updated. It does not take that much effort on your part. The Get Safe Online quiz is a great starting point.
Enjoy!!
Our parents and guardians helped us grow from children to adults in the real world. It’s strange then that in the internet world it’s often our children and young people who know more than the adults. They know the fun places to go, things to see, things to do and places to be seen. Their confidence comes from experiencing the internet each and every day. Sadly confidence and experience do not equal knowledge. Wisdom comes from listening, learning and taking the time to become educated. The more you know the safer you will be. The more you help your friends, family and colleagues the safer they will be. So, learn more, protect yourself and enjoy the internet safely! (And don’t forget to wear sunscreen.)
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Very good advice Mr McGrath!