Executive summary

Today, more than 1 billion people routinely use the Internet, more than twice the number of people who were online four years ago and nearly 50 times the number that were online in 1995. People are using the Internet for both work and pleasure. As nearly every country has access to the Internet, online security and safety is a critical, global issue that is best addressed through cooperative partnerships among organizations, enterprises, and governments at all levels.

Using the Internet is a convenient way to stay in touch with friends and family, browse and shop for goods and services in a global marketplace, and learn more about the world around us. It provides access to an array of educational and cultural resources as well as real-time data related to news, weather, business, and other topics. In addition, it provides children with the opportunity to research information for school projects, play educational games, and communicate with their peers around the world.

As the power and global reach of the Internet has grown, unfortunately so has the sophistication and organization of online criminal activity, including phishing schemes, "zombie" attacks, worms, and spyware. Junk e-mail, more commonly known as spam, has become widespread, filling up e-mail inboxes. People may not be who they say they are. Criminals impersonate legitimate companies to perpetrate identity theft. Child predators prey upon unsuspecting minors and remain undetected by adults. Furthermore, viruses and malicious software are becoming increasingly potent and sophisticated. The global nature of the Internet means that harm can be inflicted across international borders and on a massive scale. In the U.S. alone, consumer losses for Internet-related fraud was more than U.S.$265 million in 2004¹. From March to September 2005, 50 percent of Internet users reported a spyware infection².

It is the shared responsibility of governments, industry leaders, non-government organizations, and private enterprises to establish clear national policies that recognize the seriousness of computer-facilitated crimes against children and penalties that match the seriousness of these crimes. A recent survey conducted by Microsoft in conjunction with RT Strategies found that 44 percent of those surveyed felt that the value and potential of the Internet was significantly compromised for them by the existence of online threats. That sense of vulnerability led people to wall themselves off from some of the vital capabilities and resources of the Internet. In fact, of those surveyed, most avoided chat rooms (80 percent), refused to explore unfamiliar Web sites (74 percent), and declined e-mail attachments or downloadable files (66 percent). In addition, nearly half of the respondents (46 percent) said they avoided making financial transactions online. While chat rooms, new Web sites, e-mail attachments, and online transactions, in and of themselves, can be valuable assets, the majority of those surveyed denied themselves access to these activities simply because they just didn't feel safe.

But there is good news. According to a recent survey, 79 percent of people want to learn more about how to protect themselves from viruses and spyware³. The private and public sectors must, therefore, work in partnership with social organizations to promote coordination and cooperation, and support consumer Internet safety and computing security across geographical borders. Technology companies are taking the lead by creating innovative technology solutions to help protect computers and software. Technology companies are also teaming up with organizations that work to protect children by driving education and awareness among consumers, families, and children. Together, they share a common goal: to promote healthy computing habits and support the development of a digital economy.

Nothing can guarantee complete safety in cyberspace, but much can be done to help users understand and minimize their exposure to risk. That is why Microsoft Corporation has created Internet Safety resources to serve as a guide for raising public awareness of computing security and Internet safety through education and guidance. These resources are part of a broader initiative to help governments, policy makers, industry leaders, parents, teachers, and social organizations empower children and adults alike to better protect their computers, their families, and themselves when using technology and the Internet.

1 Identity Theft Clearinghouse 2004, Federal Trade Commission
2 Online Survival Guide, Consumer Reports, September 2005
3 Internet Security Threats, Better Business Bureau, November 22, 2005