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Comments from the Capitol: Protecting Ourselves in the Cyber World

October 30, 2007

As printed in the Brenham Banner Press

(Washington D.C.) - Today, just about anything you do involve computers and the internet. When you go to the bank, use your cell phone, deal with any healthcare issues and of course when you use your computer, you rely on the internet and therefore our federal government’s ability to protect that system.

October is Cyber Security Month in America and our government is taking the opportunity to focus extra attention on protecting our nation’s computer infrastructure. This is a time when we all can take a few minutes to consider how important our nation’s cyber security network is and ways we can help improve and defend it from attack. In the past few weeks, our nation’s newspapers have informed us of cyber attacks emanating from outside our country. According to several media reports, China leads the way in attacking our government via the internet. As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber Security, Science and Technology, I am especially aware of these growing threats and am making sure our government is responding.

During this time of increased awareness you have the chance to spend a few minutes making sure you’re information is also protected. Today, when so much of what we do depends on computers and the internet, we all have a responsibility to stay smart and make sure we’re not being taken advantage of. First, never give your personal information out to anyone or any website over the internet, unless you have contacted that person or website to make a purchase. We all are aware of the large amounts of junk e-mail you receive trying to get your personal information. These are kinds of email you should immediately delete from your inbox. Opening these kinds of messages can destroy your hard drive and allow criminals to access your computer and possibly your personal information. However, cyber security is not just about protecting your finances and computer.

Sadly, we have all seen in the news, criminals who have used the internet in efforts to gain access to our children. They will use money, toys, games and any other innocent sounding trick trying to lure our children away from the safety of our homes and into their dangerous arms. According to ProtectKids.Com parents need to make sure their children are following the same rules as adults. For example; children should never give out their name, age, address, school, phone number, picture or any other information about themselves or anyone else without their parent's permission. This goes for chat rooms, instant messages, email, surfing the net and even entering contests or registering for clubs online. ProtectKids.Com also urges children to never meet with someone in person that they meet on the Internet unless a parent has agreed and will go with them. Ultimately, children must come to the realization that people aren't always who they say they are and that an adult can pretend to be a kid online. Along those same lines, our children must know to come to us immediately if they see something online which seems bad or weird, know not to respond, log off and tell their parents right away.

It is an unfortunate reality that our young children need to be aware of the dangers on the internet. However, following a few basic rules can help to keep them and the rest of your family safe while enjoying computers and the internet. For more information about protecting you and your family on line, please visit mccaul.house.gov.