Internet security and
online consumer protection websites

Organizations/Agencies/Websites Focused on Internet Security and Online Consumer Protection

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (Non Profit Organization)
A nonprofit consumer education, research and advocacy program based on raising consumers' awareness of how technology affects personal privacy; empowering consumers to take action to control their own personal information. It responds to privacy-related complaints from consumers and advocates for consumers' privacy rights before state, local and federal governments
http://www.privacyrights.org/

National White Collar Crime Center
NW3C is a federally-funded, non-profit corporation that provides nationwide support system for agencies involved in prevention, investigation, and prosecution of economic and high-tech crimes.
http://www.nw3c.org/

National Consumer League (Consumer Organizations)
A private, nonprofit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. NCL provides government, businesses and other organizations with the consumer's perspective on concerns including child labor, food safety, medication information and privacy. NCL's mission is to identify, protect, represent and advance the economic and social interests of consumers and workers, using education, science, investigation, publications, and the public and private sector to accomplish its aims.
http://www.nclnet.org/

Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a nonprofit organization that focuses exclusively on identity theft.
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/

The Center for Democracy and Technology works to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age. With expertise in law, technology, and policy, CDT seeks practical solutions to enhance free expression and privacy in global communications technologies. CDT is dedicated to building consensus among all parties interested in the future of the Internet and other new communications media.
(child online protection, spyware, spam).
http://www.cdt.org/

The Department of Justice’s first priority is to prevent terrorist attacks in order to preserve life and liberty.
http://www.usdoj.gov/index.html

Obscenity Crimes.org - a source for educating the public and for reporting possible violations of Internet obscenity laws.
http://obscenitycrimes.org

CIAC has been providing the U.S. Department of Energy with incident response, reporting, and tracking, along with other computer security support since 1989.
http://www.ciac.org/

Consumer Action
Consumer Action is a non-profit, membership-based organization that serves consumers nationwide by advancing consumer rights, referring consumers to complaint-handling agencies, advocating for consumers in the media and before lawmakers, and comparing prices on credit cards, bank accounts, and long distance services.
http://www.consumer-action.org

HowStuffWorks is widely recognized as a source for clear, reliable explanations of how everything around us actually works.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/identity-theft.htm

The Identity Theft Advisor is a service company ready to give information on how to protect yourself from identity thieves.
http://www.identity-theft-advisor.com/about.htm

http://identityweb.umich.edu/
This website is co-sponsored by several University offices and departments, including the IT User Advocate, Information Technology Central Services, Housing, Department of Public Safety, Office of Student Conflict Resolution, VP for Communications, International Center, the School of Information, and others.

PIRG (Public Interest Research Groups) is an alliance of state-based, citizen-funded organizations that advocate for the public interest. Its mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented activism that protects the environment, encourages a fair marketplace for consumers and fosters responsive, democratic government.
http://pirg.org/

GetNetWise is a public service brought by a wide range of Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations in order to inform people about the use of Internet.
http://kids.getnetwise.org/

Consumer Privacy Guide gives useful tips for protecting people's privacy and helps them control the way their information is used.
http://www.consumerprivacyguide.org/

CyberSource is a worldwide provider of secure electronic payment, credit card fraud management, and verification software and services.
http://www.cybersource.com/

• Reporting agencies
  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). An U.S. government law enforcement agency, part of the Department of Justice.
http://www.fbi.gov/

Federal Trade Commission
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them.
http://www.ftc.gov/

Better Bureau Business
BBB is an organization that serves the companies in their areas. BBB enables people to file a complaint online in case they suspect a crime and to see if there are any negative comments on a company they are particularly interested in.
http://www.bbb.com/

Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG)
A volunteer organization focused on eliminating the identity theft and fraud that result from the growing problem of phishing and email spoofing.
Report a phishing attack at:
http://www.antiphishing.org/report_phishing.html

CERT/CC is a major reporting center for Internet security problems. The CERT® Coordination Center (CERT/CC) also analyzes product vulnerabilities, publishes technical documents, and presents training courses.
http://www.cert.org/

Business Software Alliance (BSA)
BSA is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. It educates consumers on software management and copyright protection, cyber security, trade, e-commerce and other Internet-related issues.
http://www.bsa.org/

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It gives people the right to report any suspicious activity.
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
A private, nonprofit organization that provides services nationwide for families and professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered, and sexually exploited children.
http://www.missingkids.com/

• Report software piracy

The Business Software Alliance (BSA)
BSA is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. It educates consumers on software management and copyright protection, cyber security, trade, e-commerce and other Internet-related issues.
http://www.bsa.org/

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the mainly trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to the leading companies that are setting the pace for the digital age.
You can report software piracy at SIIA. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $50,000.
http://www.siia.net/

• Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs)

Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc., (Equifax). A global service provider with information and solutions to businesses and consumers.
http://www.equifax.co.uk/

Trans Union LLC (Trans Union). A leading global provider of business intelligence services, it offers products and services, as well as facilitating options and opportunities, which promote greater financial health.
http://www.transunion.com/

Experian Information Solutions, Inc. (Experian)
A global solutions company that helps organizations find the best prospects and makes informed decisions to personalize and develop customer relationships.
http://www.experian.com/

• Sites for protecting children

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
A private, non-profit organization that provides services nationwide for families and professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered, and sexually exploited children.
http://www.missingkids.com/

http://www.kids.gov/
Kids' Portal is a website developed and maintained by the Federal Citizen Information Center that provides links to Federal kids' sites along with some of the best kids' sites from other organizations.

• Other resources

Visa
Visa allows you to make a Code 10 authorization request if you’re suspicious of a card or cardholder during a transaction authorization process.
http://usa.visa.com/

Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA)
A non-profit trade organization that represents the interests of Canadian companies that create, manufacture and market sound recordings.
http://www.cria.ca/

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes creative and financial vitality.
http://www.riaa.com/