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Internet Safety Effort Calls on Chicago to Get Net Safe


WEBWIRE

Microsoft’s Get Net Safe tour to deliver Internet safety guidance and tools to help secure area residents.

CHICAGO — Sept. 12, 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 Chicago for several days, starting tomorrow. The multiple-stop tour — with events Sept. 12–14 in the Chicago 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 events will provide information for people to understand how to help protect their PCs, themselves, and their families online,” said Mike Porter, Midwest area general manager for the Small and Midmarket Solutions & Partners Group at Microsoft. “Microsoft recommends four simple steps people can take to keep themselves safe from the majority of online threats and will teach people how to do them on the tour. This includes 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 Chicago 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, NCMEC, National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Trade Commission’s OnGuard Online, and the Department of Commerce.

“i-SAFE is training an entire generation of cyber-safe citizens. Our programs combine a unique blend of interactive classroom instruction and youth empowerment activities that spread awareness beyond the home to the community,” said Teri Schroeder, CEO of i-SAFE, Inc. “The Get Net Safe Tour is an innovative way of spreading that message beyond the community, from coast to coast.”

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:
• Tuesday, Sept. 12
• 7–8:30 p.m.: Parent Night sponsored by i-SAFEJohn Whistler Elementary School
11533 S. Ada Street, Chicago
• Wednesday, Sept. 13
• 9:30–11:30 a.m.: Internet Safety Seminar sponsored by AARP and Microsoft
The Community House
415 W. Eighth Street, Hinsdale
• 7 p.m.: Parent Night sponsored by NCMEC Queen of Angels School
4520 N. Western, Chicago
• 7 p.m.: Parent Night sponsored by i-SAFE
Montini Catholic High School
19W070 16th Street, Lombard
• Thursday, Sept. 14
• 9–11 a.m.: Internet Safety Seminar sponsored by AARP and Microsoft Southeast (Atlas) Community Center
1767 E. 79th St., Chicago
• 4–7 p.m.: Boys & Girls Clubs Internet Safety Fair
Louis L. Valentine Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
3400 S. Emerald, Chicago

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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