MPs build £2m security awareness website

The government is to launch a £2m joint initiative with banks, IT vendors and online companies to promote internet security to the public.

The Cabinet Office is building getsafeonline.org.uk - a security awareness website that has already been backed by the likes of eBay, Dell, HSBC, LloydsTSB, MessageLabs and Microsoft. The companies have all donated £150,000 to match the Cabinet Office's investment in the project.

The government is aiming to collect £2m-worth of private sponsorship for the website, which is set to launch in October, the Cabinet Office confirmed.

Jim Murphy, the Cabinet Office minister, is reported to have told the FT: "Government and the private sector have a mutual interest in getting both business and individuals to behave safely online. We hope to take this service to the widest possible audience."

The website will provide plain-English advice on topics such as viruses, phishing attacks and how to prevent hacking attacks, and will promote free security software downloads.

The National Hi-Tech Crime Unit has also backed the campaign.

Earlier this year, the Home Office launched www.itsafe.gov.uk - another plain-English security awareness website to advise home and small-business users how to protect their computers.