JOINT FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION & 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE: OCTOBER 9, 2009 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
Robert Kenny: (202) 418-2668
Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov
Peter Kaplan: (202) 326-2334
  PKaplan@ftc.gov
FCC AND FTC CHAIRMEN JOINTLY ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO TAKE 
SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, THEIR PRIVACY, AND THEIR 
PERSONAL INFORMATION ONLINE
Washington, D.C. – As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski and Federal Trade 
Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz today encouraged the public to take steps to protect 
themselves, their privacy, and their personal information online.  The Internet has connected 
Americans to each other and the rest of the world like never before.  But those connections can 
also be exploited by scammers, so consumers need to be alert for online fraud and safeguard their 
personal information.
FCC Chairman Genachowski said, “The American public increasingly relies on the Internet to 
create, exchange and receive information, news, education, and entertainment and it is critical 
that all consumers take precautions to protect their privacy and ensure their well-being online.  
Consumers should stay alert, recognize the potential risks associated with cyber crimes and take 
some simple precautions to help reduce their chances of falling victim to scams.”
FTC Chairman Leibowitz said, “The Internet presents many opportunities for information and 
entertainment, commerce and communication. But it also comes with risks, such as viruses, 
hackers, and online scams. The FTC is committed to protecting consumers by stopping con 
artists from committing fraud online, working to preserve the privacy of consumers’ sensitive 
personal information, and educating people on how to use technology safely and securely through 
sites like OnguardOnline.gov.  And, the FTC is committed to working with our sister agency, the 
FCC, to promote consumer protection in the online marketplace.”
OnGuardOnline.gov
To promote cyber safety outreach and education, the FCC recently partnered with 
OnGuardOnline.gov, a joint effort of 12 federal agencies and 18 non-government organizations, 
developed and managed by the FTC.  
-more-
OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical and timely tips to help consumers be on guard against 
Internet fraud, secure their computers, and protect their personal information.  Among the 
recommendations that consumers should follow:  
1) Use security software that updates automatically; 
2) Keep operating systems and Web browsers up-to-date; 
3) Keep passwords private and secure; and 
4) Always Back-up important files.
OnGuardOnline.gov features guidance, entertaining games and quizzes on a variety of topics, 
including phishing, social networking, laptop security, and wireless access, and has a special 
section about protecting kids online.  Indeed, the site features a new guide, Net Cetera: Chatting 
with Kids About Being Online with tips about talking to kids, tweens and teens about the risks of 
inappropriate conduct, contact and content.    
For More Information
If you think you've been a victim of an online fraud -- or if you think you have downloaded 
spyware or malware -- file a complaint in English or Spanish with the FTC at www.ftc.gov
or call 1-877-382-4357.  The FTC enters Internet, identity theft and other fraud-related 
complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil 
and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety 
of consumer topics, click http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm.
For information about other telecommunications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the FCC’s Consumer 
Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-
888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232.  News and other information 
about the FCC is available at www.fcc.gov
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