Internet Safety Effort Calls on Orlando to Get Net Safe

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dec. 5, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that the Get Net Safe tour, designed to help people learn how to become more safe and secure on the Internet, has arrived in Orlando for several days, starting today. The final stop on the 12-city tour, with events Dec. 5–7 in the Orlando metropolitan area, will give children, teens, parents, business owners and people over 50 the opportunity to participate in unique forums about how to be better protected online.

The Get Net Safe tour was created by Microsoft and 10 partner organizations to help raise awareness of computing security and Internet safety among PC users. A recent study conducted by Microsoft and RT Strategies Inc. (http://www.rtstrategies.com) found that although 74 percent of respondents believe they have the skills to protect themselves online, more than half (57 percent) are not sure they know enough to effectively protect their information.

“The Get Net Safe tour has been a tremendous opportunity for us to reach people face to face and help them learn how to protect themselves, their families and their PCs on the Internet,” said Kristin Johnsen, senior director of security outreach for the Security Technology Unit at Microsoft. “Part of our goal for the Get Net Safe tour was to empower people to use the information and pass it along to others. The people who committed their time and energy to attend the events to learn something new underscores the need for this type of information and education about safe Internet practices.”

The tour combines the resources of national organizations to host a series of seminars, luncheons and school assemblies throughout the greater Orlando area to heighten awareness and provide people with tools and information for using the Internet more safely. Participating organizations are AARP, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Geek Squad — 24 Hour Computer Support Task Force, GetNetWise, i-SAFE Inc., Microsoft, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Trade Commission’s OnGuard Online, and the Department of Commerce.

Since its launch in May, the tour has stopped in Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Dallas; Detroit; Los Angeles; New York; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. The following activities in Orlando, Fla., are open to the public:

Microsoft® Internet safety seminars, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 10–11:30 a.m. and 1–2:30 p.m. at Beacon College in Leesburg, Fla. Participants will learn how to protect their PCs, identify common Internet scams and keep their personal information secure.

AARP and Microsoft Internet safety seminars, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.–noon and 1–3 p.m. at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., co-sponsored by Microsoft and the AARP. Participants will learn how to protect their PCs, identify common Internet scams and keep their personal information secure.

NCMEC and i-SAFE parent nights, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 6–7:30 p.m. at Legacy Middle School in Orlando, sponsored by i-SAFE; and 6–7:30 p.m. at Lancaster Elementary School in Orlando, sponsored by NCMEC. Parents and guardians will be introduced to the possible dangers of the Internet and learn how to keep kids safe while enjoying the benefits of the Internet.

More information about the Get Net Safe tour and safe Internet practices can be found online at http://www.staysafe.org.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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