Worried about falling prey to a phishing scam? Wonder how to lower the risk of your computer being infected with spyware? Want to know about the latest online nuisance, known as SPIT - spam over Internet telephony?
Consumers now have two great weapons to help fight Internet fraud, secure computers and protect personal information. Two new Web sites, OnGuardOnline.gov and StaySafeOnline.org, offer a wealth of information and practical tips about the constantly evolving threats that exploit today's information technologies.

Launched in October as part of National Cyber Security Month, OnGuardOnline.gov includes videos, tutorials and interactive quizzes on a wide range of computer-security and online-safety topics. Easy to navigate and offered in English and Spanish, the Web site also tells consumers how to file complaints about various types of Internet-related problems.

Maintained by the Federal Trade Commission, the site is part of a broad public-awareness campaign that also includes TV, print and online ads. The campaign is a collaboration between government agencies, consumer groups, technology companies and industry associations.

Among the collaborators is the National Cyber Security Alliance, a public-private partnership that provides online-safety tools and resources for the home, small businesses and schools. The NCSA's own StaySafeOnline.org site is a great complement to OnGuardOnline.gov - both are trustworthy guides to safely enjoying technology's many great benefits.

The FTC deserves praise for its leadership in working to protect consumers online, through education and effective law enforcement in the United States and - in cooperation with other governments - around the world. We in the technology industry will continue to support such efforts, as we continue to help protect consumers through improvements and innovations in our products and services.

Working together, government and the private sector can accomplish far more than we could ever achieve separately. Add an informed, prepared and vigilant citizenry, and the cybercriminals will have a tougher time of it.