New Edition of Popular Book Helps Internet Users Outmaneuver Spammers, Stalkers and Con Artists

Author J. A. Hitchcock, a cybercrime expert, tells her own story and many others; offers a wealth of easy-to-follow advice for staying safe online.

York, ME (PRWEB) June 1, 2006 -- Do you really think you’re safe online? Anyone, anywhere in the world, of any age or gender, who is connected to the Internet can become a victim. Including you.

Why are Nigerians emailing you?

Have you really won the lottery?

Is online dating safe?

How about online auctions, shopping and banking?

Does my computer really need antivirus and firewall protection?

Someone is stalking me online – what do I do?

Why is a stranger trying to chat with my child?

The answers to these questions and much more are in J.A. Hitchcock’s latest book, Net Crimes & Misdemeanors 2nd Edition: Outmaneuvering Web Spammers, Stalkers, and Con Artists, published by Cyberage Books.

Hitchcock expanded the 2nd edition with 100 pages including two additional chapters and new stories of real-life victims of Internet crimes, plus updated links to web sites mentioned in the book. Vint Cerf, one of the “fathers” of the Internet and Chief Evangelist for Google, wrote the foreword for the book, noting, “Reading this book is a first step toward increasing your ability to stay safe in a cyberworld that has its dark side as well as its sunny one.”

“When the first edition came out in 2002, I was told it would be out of date in a year,” Hitchcock says. “I was truly surprised at how little I really had to update for the 2nd edition. So I made sure this was ‘new and improved’ with more information, new stories and two chapters added about online dating and those Nigerian scammers.”

Living in York, Maine, Hitchcock finds little time to spend at home. She is on the road, not only promoting Net Crimes & Misdemeanors, but also speaking at conferences and training law enforcement worldwide about the latest in cyber crimes. Her talks have expanded to include talking to middle, high school and college students about the dangers of online blogs and social networking sites like Myspace.com and Facebook.

“When I can make 800 students stop talking, then I know my presentation is working,” Hitchcock laughs. “I scare the heck out of them with what I show, but they listen and they end up asking some great questions afterwards.”

Hitchcock is president of Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHOA) and WHOA-KTD (Kids/Teen Division) at haltabuse.org and haltabusektd.org. WHOA is the oldest all-volunteer online safety organization which helps kids, teens and adults worldwide who experience bullying, harassment or stalking online.

She is also the author of seven other books (see jahitchcock.com), is on the editorial board of the International Cyber Crimes Journal at www.cybercrimejournal.co.nr and on the faculty of the University of Maryland University College.

She can be used as an expert for your next news story on the following subjects:

For more information, Hitchcock can be reached at 207-251-0627, 815-550-5059 or by email
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Net Crimes & Misdemeanors 2nd Edition: Outmaneuvering Web Spammers, Stalkers, and Con Artists, May 2006, Cyberage Books, ISBN 0910965722, 459 pages, netcrimes.net.

“Learn how to stay ahead of online criminals and use the Internet safely. A must-read . . .pick it up today!” Montel Williams

Net Crimes & Misdemeanors, Second Edition is loaded with tips, strategies, and techniques, as well as pointers to the laws, organizations, and Web resources that can aid victims and help them fight back. Chapters are:

1.     Cyberstalking Happened to Me
2.     Words Can Hurt
3.     Spam Not in a Can
4.     Urban Legends and Hoaxes: Can They Possibly Be True?
5.     Scams, Safe Shopping, and Online Banking
6.     Auction Caution
7.     Gone Phishing: Nigerian Scams and More
8.     Where the Heartache Is: Adoption Fraud
9.     Cases of Stolen Identity
10. Your Personal Life Exposed
11. Ugly Beasts Lurking Online
12. A Little Harmful Chat
13.    Lookin for Love in All the Online Places
14. Other Ways They Can Get You
15. Protecting the Children
16. Office Know-How: Stay Safe in the Workplace
17. Police Duty: Our Nations Finest Boot Up
18. Universities Catch Up with the Net
19. Encryption Made Easy
20. Protect Your Computer!
21. The Basics of Staying Safe Online: A Review

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