IT Security & Privacy Online

Australian Internet Safety Advisory Body (NetAlert)

NetAlert offers practical advice on Internet safety, parental control and Internet filters for the protection of children, students and families. It is an Australian Federal Government site. www.netalert.net.au

Australian High Tech Crime Centre

Australia's national centre to coordinate the efforts of Australian law enforcement in combating serious crime involving complex technology. Its "Advisory" section helps individuals and organisations better prepare and respond to high tech crime incidents. www.ahtcc.gov.au/advisors.htm

Microsoft's Security Sites and Advice

Most of us use firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware software to help protect computer systems, but a simple, preventative measure is to remove the vulnerabilities which many attackers exploit. For most systems, this can be done by keeping Microsoft software up to date: www.microsoft.com/security

Visit Microsoft's security page regularly to get free security-related software updates to Windows and Microsoft Office products, or add yourself to their "security notifications" email alerts: www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/alerts.mspx

Microsoft also has a security guidance centre which offers detailed advice aimed at developers and IT professionals: www.microsoft.com/security/guidance/default.mspx

Microsoft Windows Anti-spyware ("Defender")
www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware

Microsoft Windows XP "One Care" Beta Antivirus, Firewall, Backup, and tune-up tools. http://beta.windowsonecare.com

DoubleClick and DART

Somewhat "Web 1.0", but they just got acquired by Google and some of the most popular services used by online advertisers to manage, deliver, analyse and optimise campaigns are provided by DoubleClick, including it's DART range of web advertising and email services. DoubleClick is being taken-over by Google, subject to regulatory approval, in 2007.

Amongst other things, DoubleClick uses cookies keep track of some of your online activity ("online profiling") and interacts with online avertising servers to select what seem to be the most relevant adverts to your interests ("online preference marketing").

Most commentators regard DoubleClick's services as reputable, but for individuals wishing to opt out of DoubleClick providing any information about your activity or preferences to its customers (advertisers), DoubleClick offers an opt-out capability at: www.doubleclick.com/us/about_doubleclick/privacy/ad-cookie/

NAI