Computer Safety Experts Say Stop, Think Before You Click

By Courtney Sherwood, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.

Jun. 15–Computer crimes are on the rise, and half of Washington adults don’t even know they’re at risk.

Staying safe is simple, computer experts told a full house at Red Lion Hotel at the Quay on Wednesday.

Just stop, think and click.

There’s a little bit more to it than that, but the best way to protect yourself online is to be thoughtful and aware, Doug Shadel, director of AARP Washington, told roughly 400 people who turned out for the senior advocacy group’s four-hour “Cyber Safety” seminar.

Presenters from the state Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and Microsoft offered tips and suggestions.

“When we bought a new computer, the first thing we did was get the anti-virus and firewall and install it,” said Jeanne Smith of Vancouver, an AARP member who attended Wednesday’s seminar.

“I think we might have had a virus on our old computer,” Smith said. “I came here to learn and review.”

Most of the seniors at the seminar were ahead of the game, already taking precautions that could help them, Shadel said. But by gathering new information and reviewing what they already knew, he hoped they’d pass on the knowledge to children and grandkids.

Getting the word out about computer safety is vital, state Attorney General Rob McKenna said.

“Cybercrime is a large and growing focus of our consumer protection efforts,” McKenna told The Columbian.

“There will never be enough law enforcement to battle all computer crime,” he said. “Consumer education is key. We have to train the public how to protect themselves from consumer fraud.”

If consumers stop and think before they click, many crimes will be averted, Shadel said.

“A lot of scams need participation in order to succeed,” he said.

Courtney Sherwood can be reached at 360-759-8041 or courtney.sherwood@columbian.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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