Dave and Bill  

Show Notes

• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 9/15/2008 6:09 AM UTC

  The CyberHood Watch Is Ringing The Bell For Utah’s Attorney General – Are You Listening?
  

  My partner Bill Wardell, posted to The CyberHood Watch about our conversation with Utah’s Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff, from a very personal point of view that you can read here.

  Some may notice that our guests are asked to share with our listeners what comes to mind when they hear the phrase, “Responsible CyberCitizen”. We believe the more the question is asked and the more our listeners hear the question and the answers that follow, the more viral “Responsible CyberCitizen” becomes.

  When we asked Utah’s Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff, he echoed what other authorities in their field have shared with us this past year. The common thread of advice that runs throughout is being non complacent – education – prevention – awareness and communication. When you look at these common threads, they are not specific to being a responsible cybercitizen, they are what help to effect behavioral changes.

  We discussed one of the fastest growing white collar crimes worldwide and that is Identity Theft. The Attorney Generals Office has built one of the more efficient websites, IRIS (Identity Theft Reporting Information System) to help the citizens of Utah with a one-stop-site on how to file an identity theft incident and what measures to take to restore your good name. It’s like Mark alluded to his Grandma’s and Shakespeare’s reference to the value of one’s good name.

  This is jumping ahead in our conversation a bit with Mark, but the youth today, as tech savvy as they may be, are unfortunately, not seasoned with the years to understand how valuable their good name is and the implied integrity attached to it. Our children today have been drawn into the vortex of the Internet and the New Net-Generation of social media. Many parents were drawn into the panacea of the Internet, myself included, and failed to realize with this powerful new media, also came a swift response from nefarious individuals to aid in the corruption of our children. It’s not just the concerns of children giving out personal identifying information; teens can create their own problems and find ways to tarnish their good name and their future reputation for a lifetime. For example, the recent problem with “sex teens” in which teens will send inappropriate pictures of themselves or others to the web or friends. It’s a permanent record for all to see, all over the world, even their future grandchildren.

  Utah recently passed a law that if you suspect or have been notified that your identity has been compromised, you can freeze your credit account. What’s unique about this law is you can unfreeze your credit in fifteen minutes if plan on applying for a loan.

  We talked about “Phishing” scams and the issues dealing with jurisdiction, something that was covered extensively by Ben Wilson of Xcera Consulting.

  Another tool created by the Attorney General’s office has been Crime Reports. This site allows communities to know what is happening in their neighborhoods. It allows concerned neighbors to have a thumb on the pulse of what criminal activities are occurring in their perspective communities, it creates awareness with activities you may not have been aware of.

  As Winn Schwartau indicated, Bill and I (Dave & Bill) may never see the full impact of our efforts, but an effort we must make, if we are to effect change. Mark Shurtleff, Utah’s Attorney General, certainly understands the challenge and has joined the New Net-Generation of Responsible CyberCitizens. Mark is an example of what the State AGs across the United States can accomplish if they take his lead in being proactive on the Internet.

  The CyberHood Watch appreciates Mark’s support and commitment to recommend us to our States AGs Nationally. Both Bill and I knew from the onset, what we would accomplish would not be of our own fruition alone. It takes individuals who understand the challenge, like Mark Shurtleff, who can help get the message heard by his peers.

   

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  • Attorney General Mar
  • Utah Attorney Genera
  • IRIS
  • Responsible CyberCit
  • Crime Reports
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