The federal government and the technology industry have teamed up to create OnGuardOnline.gov, a site to help computer users guard against Internet fraud, secure their computers, and protect their personal information. Consumers can minimize the chance of an Internet mishap by adopting OnGuard Online’s seven practices for safer computing.

The helpful content at OnGuardOnline.gov includes tips, articles, videos, and quizzes. It tells where to report spam or a scam or understand social networking sites, and how to sign up for periodic computer security alerts. And OnGuard Online’s quizzes will help users figure out how savvy they are about computer safety.

In addition to managing OnGuardOnline.gov, the FTC has information on its website at FTC.gov, including a publication about Invention Promotion Firms.

In November 2006, the Federal Trade Commission held hearings on "Protecting Consumers in the Next Tech-ade" to explore the ways in which convergence and the globalization of commerce impact consumer protection. Find our more about the hearings at the FTC's Tech-ade site.