Because of its popularity, the internet has become an ideal target for advertising. As a result, spyware, or adware, has become increasingly prevalent. When troubleshooting problems with your computer, you may discover that the source of the problem is spyware software that has been installed on your machine without your knowledge.

 
Emergency Management and Response
Information Sharing and Analysis Center
(EMR-ISAC)
INFOGRAM 49-09    December 17, 2009

Suspicious Holiday Cards, Letters, and Packages

During this holiday season, it is reasonable to expect that some Emergency Service Sector (ESS) departments and agencies may receive cards, letters, and packages recognizing the service and sacrifices of local emergency responders.  Unfortunately, the possibility exists that the season’s greetings could contain explosives, chemicals, or biological agents.  Although there is no known threat against ESS organizations, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) shares the following typical characteristics of mail and packages that should trigger suspicion:

·         Sent by an unexpected or an unknown person or source.
·         Contain no return address or an address that cannot be verified as legitimate.
·         Have protruding wires or aluminum foil, strange odors or stains.
·         Show a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address.
·         Are of unusual weight given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
·         Marked with threatening language.
·         Labeled in an inappropriate or unusual manner.
·         Include excessive postage or packaging material, such as masking tape and string.
·         Contain misspellings or common words.
·         Addressed to someone no longer with the organization or used other outdated information.
·         Titled incorrectly or without a name.
·         Are not addressed to a specific person.
·         Have hand-written or poorly typed addresses.

See the following web sites for additional information about suspicious mail:

·        Federal Bureau of Investigation
·        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF, 241 Kb)

Here in Florida we're expecting record or near record high temperatures today. But for much of the US, winter weather presents a significant current hazard.

Winter weather too often catches people unprepared. Researchers say that 70 percent of the fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and about 25 percent of all winter related fatalities are people that are caught off guard, out in the storm.

Being aware of the hazards and informed about conditions for your area goes a long way in keeping you safe!

Some simple winter weather tips:

• Stay indoors during a storm.
• If you must go outside, layers of clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Wear gloves or mittens and a hat to prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks.
• If you shovel snow, be extremely careful. It is physically strenuous work. Take frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion – heart attacks from shoveling heavy snow are a leading cause of deaths during winter.
• Avoid traveling by car, but if you must, keep the gas tank full for emergency use and to keep your fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, the route you are taking, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
• If you do get stuck, stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna for rescuers to see. Start the car and use the heater for about ten minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes don’t back up in the car. Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so you can be seen. As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and stay warm. Keep one window open to let in air.
• After the storm, avoid driving until conditions have improved. Listen to local radio and television stations for updates. Help a neighbor who may require special assistance, especially families with infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.