PHILADELPHIA — Oct. 17, 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, will stop in Philadelphia for several days, starting today. The multiple-stop tour, with events Oct. 17–19 in the Philadelphia 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.
“I’m delighted that Microsoft and its partners are helping keep our families safe on the Internet,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, who is delivering a keynote at several Get Net Safe tour events. “The commonwealth of Pennsylvania places a high priority on Internet safety. I encourage families to enjoy the Internet as a valuable resource and use the tools Microsoft and its partners have provided to do so more safely.”
“The Get Net Safe tour events will provide information for people to understand how to help protect their PCs, themselves and their families online,” said Michael Ferreri, general manager of the Mid-Atlantic region for Microsoft. “Microsoft recommends four simple steps people can take to help keep themselves safe from the majority of online threats and will teach people how to do them on the tour. They are using a firewall, running regular software updates, and using anti-virus protection and anti-spyware software.”
The tour combines the resources of national organizations to host a series of seminars, luncheons and school assemblies throughout the greater Philadelphia 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.
From May through December, the tour will stop in Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Dallas; Detroit; Los Angeles; New York; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. The following activities are open to the public:
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Wednesday, Oct. 18
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7–8 p.m.
Parent Night, sponsored by NCMEC and Microsoft
New Foundations Charter School, 8001 Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia
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Thursday, Oct. 19
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9:30–11:30 a.m.
Internet Safety Seminar, sponsored by AARP and Microsoft
Palmer Theological Seminary, 6 E. Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, PA -
1–3 p.m.
Internet Safety Seminar, sponsored by the AARP and Microsoft
Community College of Philadelphia, Winnet Student Life Building, Great Hall
1700 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia -
7–8 p.m.
Parent Night, sponsored by i-SAFE and Microsoft
School District of Philadelphia Education Center, atrium
440 North Broad St., Philadelphia
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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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