Cyber attacks among 'biggest threats' to Canada: Toews

A month-long cyber security campaign by the federal government is urging Canadians to rewire their thinking when it comes to protecting their personal information.
Among other things, the campaign announced Monday by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews urges Canadians to take greater precautions with passwords and to delete suspicious emails.
"Cyber attacks represent one of the biggest threats facing Canada today," Toews said at a news conference.
"All organizations today, whether public, private or not-for-profit, face the prospect that another nation, competitor or individual could potentially use technology to access confidential information or disrupt essential services."
Toews said the threats are growing in frequency as well as the in level of sophistication.
During the campaign, the federal government is running educational ads and publicizing the Public Safety Canada website getcybersafe.ca, which offers resources and tips for boosting cyber security.
The site also strives to educate people about the risks of scams such as phishing, in which an email mimics a legitimate institution asking users to verify private information.
Canada's "competitive position depends on secure infrastructure," Toews said.
David Stewart-Patterson, vice0president of public policy with the Conference Board of Canada, said any initiative that helps Canadians better understand the threat of cybercrime, is a good thing.
"The biggest threat isn't in the wiring of the devices we're carrying around so much as in the wiring between our ears," he told CTV News Channel

See more at: http://m.ctv.ca/topstories/20111003/cyber-security-campaign-111003.html