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    The Government was stepping up its educational campaign to enhance public awareness of the problem of spam and to foster better co-operation between the community and the Government to tackle spamming, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang said today (August 12).  

    Speaking at the launch ceremony of the Anti-Spam Roving Exhibition, Mr Tsang said that in February this year the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau (CITB) launched an anti-spam campaign entitled "STEPS" comprising a basket of measures which were being implemented.

    Noting that education was the most effective means to combat spam, Mr Tsang said six programmes had been mounted as follows:

(a) Broadcasting a series of one-minute episode over the radio to offer the public tips on how to prevent and handle different types of spam. A new series of six episodes has been on air since August 8.

(b) A dedicated anti-spam website at www.antispam.gov.hk was set up with a revamped version containing richer content and more interesting elements and launched on August 12.

(c) An anti-spam roving exhibition being organised at various popular shopping centres throughout the territory.

(d) Leaflets on how to handle different types of spam. Apart from the exhibition venues, the leaflets are also available at public libraries and the District Offices of the Home Affairs Department.

(e) A set of CD-ROM teaching aids for primary and secondary students has been designed. Adopting a lively approach, the package will be distributed to the community halls and youth centres, as well as all primary and secondary schools.

(f) Organising seminars and workshops jointly with business associations on the importance of information security and ways to tackle spamming. They will also be reminded on how they can avoid becoming spammers themselves.

    Mr Tsang hoped that such educational activities could raise awareness and understanding among members of the public and businesses about the spam problem. "We all have a part to play in fighting the spam problem," Mr Tsang said.

    Also officiating at the ceremony were the Chairman of Hong Kong Internet Service Providers Association, Mr York Mok; the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Howard Dickson; and Acting Director General of Telecommunications, Ms Gracie Foo.

    The first round of the Anti-Spam Roving Exhibition started in August. The exhibition will feature various measures under the STEPS campaign; tips for consumers and business organisations on how to prevent and handle the spam problem; guidelines for e-marketers; and advices to protect personal computer from virus attacks.

    Another highlight of the exhibition is an interactive computer game to help people understand the problem of spam. Visitors can also use the computers at the exhibition booth to visit the dedicated anti-spam website.

    Details of the first round of the exhibitions are as follows:

Venue Date Time

Open Piazza, G/F August 12-14 11am-8pm

Times Square

Causeway Bay

Main Atrium, 1/F August 23-25 11am-8pm

Phase 1

Tuen Mun Town Plaza

Tuen Mun

Star Atrium, 1/F September 17-19 11am-8pm

Hollywood Plaza

Diamond Hill

Ends/Friday, August 12, 2005

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