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WASHINGTON -- The nonprofit Internet Security Alliance has released a downloadable guide for PC users on keeping their systems secure from data theft by viruses and hackers.

The Common Sense Guide for Home and Individual Users has the endorsement of government agencies and representatives of both academia and industry. Their message is to focus on education instead of legislation in promoting cybersecurity--and helping Internet users protect themselves.

The Electronic Industries Alliance is backed by the Federal Trade Commission and a number of corporate sponsors, including IBM, Sony, and Visa.

Nine Guidelines

The 26-page report is truly a commonsense guide, suggesting basic safe-computing strategies. It outlines nine relatively simple guidelines for people who telecommute or surf the Web from home:

• Install and use antivirus programs.
  
  
• Apply patches when they're released.
  
  
• Use care when reading e-mail with attachments.
  
  
• Install and use a firewall program for Internet communication.
  
  
• Install and use a hardware firewall.
  
  
• Make backups of important files and folders.
  
  
• Use unique passwords.
  
  
• Use care when downloading and installing programs.
  
  
• Install and use a file encryption program and access controls.
  
  

"Protecting your computer and the valuable information inside it is just as important as locking your door, placing your jewelry in a safe, or investing in a home or car alarm system," says Susan Grant, vice president of public policy at the National Consumers League.

Cyber-responsibility

PC security has broader implications than theft of identity and personal financial information, notes Dave McCurdy, executive director of the Internet Security Alliance. National security and consumer confidence are also threatened by unprotected PCs, he says.

FTC Commissioner Orson Swindle, who joined McCurdy in introducing the report, says PC users need to be increasingly vigilant.

"The very [part of the] Internet that you're connected to--Bank of America, Visa, the power grid in New York State, the transportation system--they're all hooked up together, and you're a part of it," Swindle says. "You can play a very detrimental role if you don't do certain things.... That computer can literally be turned into a weapons system, and we wouldn't even know about it."

The alliance's report is the second in a series aimed at shoring up cybersecurity. Last July the group released a similar guide for business executives. It plans to publish a "best practices" report regarding wireless devices in the near future.

No New Laws

The FTC is promoting information campaigns like the "Common Sense Guide," rather than legislation, to combat Internet fraud and information theft, according to Swindle.

For example, last fall the FTC launched an education program aimed at children, with a turtle mascot to carry the message of cybersafety.

The lawmaking process can't keep pace with technology, the FTC commissioner says.

"We are dealing with enormously complex technology that is made more complex by the fact that it literally changes on a daily basis," Swindle says. "[The Internet] is truly evolutionary and revolutionary, and the quickest way to slow that sucker down is to have the trial lawyers jump on everything that's done."

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