Did you know that October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month? A number of organizations, including ConsumerReports.org, are joining forces to help promote safe computing practices and educate consumers about the threats of online fraud and identity theft. (For more information, click on the image at right to go to the National Cyber Security Alliance's web site, StaySafeOnline.org.)

As part of the effort, we've created a new, free Online Security Guide, which includes the following features:

• Reports on viruses, spyware, phishing e-mails, ID theft, and kids safety online.
• Results from a new consumer survey on auction fraud by ConsumerWebWatch, the Internet integrity division of Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports.
• Free advice, including: 7 Online Blunders to Avoid, 19 tips to stay safe online, and our 2008 State of the Net findings.
• Software Ratings: Security Suites and Anti-phishing toolbars (available to subscribers only).
• An entertaining, educational musical video about e-mail phishing from ConsumerWebWatch.
• A quiz that tests your ability to tell fake e-mails from real ones.
• Links to our discussion forums where you can discuss with others about online security and privacy issues.

In the next few days, and throughout October, we’ll provide more details and news related to Cyber Security Awareness Month on our Electronics Blog and Online Security Blog.

—Jeff Fox