4. Stress is a real factor...

Profiles of perpetrators suggest that high stress levels are commonly experienced just prior to an act of violence says Worthington J. Hurrell, in 1999 in an article entitled: "Job stress, gender, and workplace violence Analysis of assault experiences of state employees". Dr. Frank Ghinassi, PhD, and assistant professor of psychiatry at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said that start of war can bring on feelings of anxiety over personal safety, financial security and safety of loved ones in military service. He stressed that it was possible that many would experience feelings of increased stress and anxiety. I believe aggressive intervention and security awareness are essential to interdiction of potentially explosive situation.

5. The President comes to rescue...

Challenging effectiveness of an aggressive Workplace Violence Interdiction Program was 1999 Federal Trade Commission Fair Credit Reporting opinion that prohibited employers' use of outside professional investigators in cases of suspected employee misconduct unless same requirements used in credit investigations were satisfied. This meant that worker suspected of misconduct had to be notified before any investigation. In addition, FTC required that employer provide a complete copy of investigation's results to suspect employee, including names and comments of witnesses.

Thanks to yeoman efforts of ASIS (Association of Security Industrial Society), U. S. Chamber of Commerce, SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) and National Council of Investigation and Security Services, President Bush signed a bill into law Dec. 4, 2003 re-authorizing Fair Credit Reporting Act, which includes a provision that removes workplace misconduct investigations from notice and disclosure requirements of FCRA. This re-authorization aids workplace security intervention. ASIS officials said these barriers were overlooked by Congress until Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) perceived possible threat posed to security and safety of employees and consumers by FTC opinion. Sarah Pierce, SHRM manager of employment policy, said, "the FTC's 1999 interpretation was problematic because it contradicted numerous other laws that were specifically tailored to apply to workplace." "Because of changes, employers can now hire outside experts to investigate incidents of workplace misconduct without fear of liability", said Josh Ulman, Director, Labor Law Policy for U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The re-authorization restores employer's right to maintain a safe and secure workplace and insures a suspect's right to a professional, thorough and impartial investigation.

6. Corporate America takes responsibility and accountability...

Employers who take responsibility and accountability for hostile conduct of its employees are employers who follow their Security Policy, Plans and Programs. Merely disciplining perpetrator without a thorough knowledge of facts and circumstances does not do justice to adverse potential to morale, performance, production, future compensation claims and security. It fails to identify root cause or contributing behavior of participants. Remember, every catastrophe has a precursor event before triggering action. Knowing Risk Indicators warns all of suspicious intentions. When there are clear reporting requirements all involved will benefit from early warning and collaboration. Corporate America can again regain lost turf. Being able to conduct a proper investigation, take corrective measures will assist with rehabilitation process.

Also true for Firewall program updates.

Today’s major scourge, however, seems to be rampant spread of spyware (keyloggers, adware, malicious software known as ‘malware’, all designed to be invisible, often self propagating).

Spyware seeks information about you and your computer-use habits that are private and personal. It is a threat that can often lead to loss of a person’s identity, bank accounts, reputation and employment.

There are major efforts on an international basis to stop spread of SPAM (unwanted email), that has been responsible for much of virus epidemic.

Viruses are spread in other ways, too. Downloaded music files, downloaded programs and information gained from Chat Room visits, hidden worms that activate just by clicking on links in some unsolicited emails and pop-ups, are just a few.

There are other protective tools available at no cost (FREE) from many of software manufacturers of Firewalls, anti-virus and spyware searching programs. Many are included with email services provided by AOL, Earthlink, MSN, etc.

These are primarily Pop-up blockers and virus scanners. The ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) also scan for and filter out email messages that look suspicious before being passed on to you.

Pop-up blockers, spam filters, message blockers, and other protective defenses can be installed on everyone’s personal computer. They are often free, or relatively inexpensive.

Our friends now know a lot more about protecting themselves from all of dangers lurking in Cyber-Jungle.

To clean out their infected computer, which required a clean wipe of their hard drive, re-installation of their Operating System, and an updated anti-virus program, they were charged $180.00!

Needless to say, they have increased their defenses with updated virus-scanning software, Firewall, and spyware scanners and cleaners.

They learned a lesson hard way, and they’ll help their friends avoid problems they experienced by sharing their story and encouraging them to get their computers up to date and prepared for ever increasing threats by spammers, hackers and virus writers.

If you use internet regularly, a subscription to one of security oriented newsletters can alert you to latest threats and provide helpful information for maintaining a secure, virus free computer and avoiding potential identity theft.

The “Security Alert News Reporter” published through Firewalls and Virus Protection website is free, it’s distributed about once each month and is written in an easy to understand, non-technical style.

A few minutes browsing there now might save you many hours of agony and grief later.

(You can take part in Computer Security Awareness Campaign by Sharing this with a friend.)