CIRA and Media Awareness Network Launch Guide to Avoiding Risks Online

April 4, 2011 (Ottawa) – The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), in partnership with Media Awareness Network (MNet), is proud to introduce a Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet, a guide to avoiding risks online.

As the Internet has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, so too have the number and severity of potential risks we face each day. With increasing accessibility to digital technologies, Internet literacy programs are, now more than ever, essential to protecting Internet users and their computers.

Recognizing the need for such programs, CIRA and MNet have developed a Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet to help Canadians take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their computers from cyber risks.

"The Internet has become a central tool in the lives of Canadians," says Byron Holland, President and CEO of CIRA, "making it more critical than ever that we provide the information and resources necessary for people to protect themselves."

MNet focuses its efforts on equipping adults with information and tools to help young people develop the critical thinking skills required to understand the extent to which they, as consumers and citizens, are being well informed. CIRA supports these efforts through an annual sponsorship of MNet's activities.

"We are proud to be partnering with CIRA to provide Canadians with the digital literacy skills and knowledge they need to use the Internet with confidence," says Cathy Wing, Media Awareness Network's Co-Executive Director.

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About CIRA
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority is the member-driven organization that manages Canada's .CA domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community, and represents the .CA registry internationally.

About MNet
Media Awareness Network (MNet) is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for media literacy and digital literacy. Its vision is that young people have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. (/)

For additional information, contact:

Jennifer Austin
Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing
(613) 237-5335 ext. 296, jennifer.austin@cira.ca

Ann Marie Paquet
Communications Officer, Media Awareness Network
613-224-7721 ext. 231, apaquet@media-awareness.ca