Cyber Security Forum Held at Ida Lee

A Cyber security forum was held at Ida Lee Park, on Saturday, to teach local families and businesses the importance of staying safe online.

On hand were members of The Leesburg Police Department Crime Prevention Unit and members of the Leesburg Best Buy Geek Squad who helped conduct free security checks for anyone who brought in a router or other wireless device.

“What a lot of people don't know is that someone driving by could sit in front of your house and actually get into your network and look at the things you are doing and connect to your network,” said Best Buy General Manager Susan Berard.

“It's important that the community protects their routers by putting passwords on it and we're here to donate our Geek Squad services so we can protect the consumers against someone doing harmful things on their Internet.”

Director of Information Technology Wendy Wickens said this was the first time the event has been held, which can help the public secure their wireless routers while educating them on several aspects of Internet safety.

Wickens said the event is very important because many people use the Internet across wireless connections that are not secure.

“Not securing your router is like leaving the front door of your house open for others to come in and steal your important stuff,” Wickens said. “We want to be sure that our citizens have as much information as possible to secure their personal information.”

Throughout the day, lessons were given on how to set up a router properly in order to keep your personal information protected.

Online safety tips, including how to decode chat lingo, avoid identity theft and cyber bullying were also provided including two classes, which offered information on how to stay safe when it comes to searching the Internet.

“Cyber security is a big issue, said Leesburg's Master Police Officer C. F. Tidmore. “When you're talking about Cyber security you're also talking about identity theft because there is so much information on our computers. And then there is a lot of fraud within our system. When you talk about children there's tons of pitfalls that need to be avoided. So there are lots of issues.”

Tidmore, who teaches similar classes on a regular basis said that the more people know about Internet safety the better off they'll be, including parents who will have a better handle on teaching their children to stay safe.

For more information on cyber security and what you can do to keep yourself safe, contact Master Police Officer C.F. Tidmore at 703-771-4564 or at ctidmore@leesburgva.gov.

To learn more about the Best Buy Geek Squad, including information on their router check services visit www.geeksquad.com or call 703-669-4100.

Information on Internet safety can also be found www.NetSmartz.org