Last week I spoke at an event in Abilene, Texas hosted by Texans for Economic Progress entitled, "The Power of Connectivity".  This is the second time I've had the privilege of speaking at one of their events.  What I appreciate most about their events is that they offer an opportunity for an open dialogue about the benefits of the Internet while recognizing there are steps consumers need to take to protect ourselves from some of the potential harmful elements of the online world.

Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, the keynote speaker at the event, addressed some of the actions his office is taking to fight ID theft and child predators on the Internet.  One interesting observation General Abbott presented is that "we cannot arrest our way out of these problems".  Law enforcement is there to do what it can, but consumers have to also take the necessary actions to protect themselves online. 

Law enforcement is a critically important partner in the effort to keep the Internet safe, but it's also important for every consumer to be aware of the actions each of us can take to keep safe online.  During my remarks in Abilene, I spoke about the importance of awareness and education ... and provided information about the tools consumers can use to protect themselves online.  You can download a copy of my tips and tools for family online safety here.