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University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to Host Free Internet Safety Workshops for Adults Aged 50 and Older

Posted on: Thursday, 12 March 2009, 12:37 CDT

Workshops, Funded Through a $25,000 Grant From the Verizon Foundation, to be Held in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla., March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will host a series of free Internet safety workshops designed specifically for computer users aged 50 and older. The sessions will be held at various locations in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota in April and May.

The workshops, funded through a $25,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, will be held to educate people about potential online risks such as credit card and computer fraud, banking transactions and identity theft.

The dates, times and locations for the workshops, and the topics to be discussed, are:

• April 13 - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Renaissance on 9th, 1816 9th St. West, Bradenton (identity theft).
• April 20 - 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., FCCI, 6300 University Parkway, Lakewood Ranch (online banking).
• April 27 - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (credit card fraud).
• May 4 - 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., The Senior Friendship Center, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota (identity theft).
• May 8 - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Selby Library, 1331 1st St., Sarasota (online banking).
• May 11 - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Renaissance on 9th, Bradenton (online banking).
• May 18 - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Renaissance on 9th, Bradenton (credit card fraud).

The USF Sarasota-Manatee faculty will lead the workshops and provide computer users with in-depth information on many key Internet safety issues.

"The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is excited to be partnering with Verizon to conduct important hands-on workshops in the community," said Dr. Arthur Guilford, the university's vice president and CEO. "We are very committed to helping educate our local community on a variety of topics at all age levels."

The university and the Verizon Foundation announced the grant and workshops plan on Feb. 19 at an Internet safety forum in Sarasota.

"Providing a safe online environment for families, particularly the 50-plus adult community, is a priority for Verizon," said Michelle A. Robinson, Verizon's Southeast region president. "We are proud to partner with the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and state and local leaders to bring this valuable information to the community."

Those interested in learning more about the upcoming workshops should contact Barb Bainbridge, development director, USF Sarasota-Manatee, at 941-359-4737 or bbainbridge@sar.usf.edu.

Verizon is engaged in Internet safety on multiple fronts. The company provides customers with an industry-leading slate of online cyber-security tools and education programs to empower all users. Verizon offers a suite of computer security programs that can keep your computer, information and family safe from online threats, including viruses and spyware. Those resources and others, including free parental controls, can be found at http://parentalcenter.verizon.radialpoint.net/.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 80 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 224,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for those with an associate's or bachelor's degree interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master's degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. The regional campus offers the prestige of a nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at Manatee Community College Venice.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon

Source: PR Newswire

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