It was then with great interest that I read about a US Study that found that "Computer crimes made up just 12 per cent of all identity fraud cases in which the cause was known. Of those, half were attributed to spyware"... This is not exactly what the media are letting us know?

This then got me thinking... Can you remember the last time you saw an article where the Internet was "good"? How highschool kids find research for assignments quicker & easier? How many housebound people (invalids etc.) find an accessible interest and means to communicate? Keeping in touch with distant relatives 'cheaply'? Even assisting in Tsunami efforts by quickly allowing friends & loved ones to know the status of those potentially missing? Why do we not hear about these things in the Traditional media? Could the demonisation of the Internet, be a bit of a 'children overboard' situation?

I am sure the motor vehicle when it first came out was terrifying, we all use that now, and phones must have been downright spooky? I wonder if the postal companies did the same sort of scare mongering then? Basically anything that you 'learn' about is not longer a frightening prospect! So please, put the internet back in perspective! Everyone is concerned about hacking, security etc, yet how many people have their "houses burglarised"? We are taught to use locks, secure ourselves, the Internet is no different. So, educate yourself about the Net, it's uses, it's flaws, and you will find your life richer, your children will not overtake you, and you will not be forced out of your job due to lack of knowledge... There are many clubs, friends, even your teenage children can help, you will be pleasantly surprised at the world you might find out there and how wide it really is :)

Best Regards, Noely, Community Site Co-ordinator