Compromising Business Behaviors: Don't Leave Your Business Exposed; Office Depot Creates Security Solutions Program for Small Businesses with Security Expert Ira Winkler

To help businesses deal with this growing problem, Office Depot(NYSE:ODP) has teamed up with Winkler, author of "Spies Among Us: Howto Stop the Spies, Terrorists, Hackers and Criminals That You Don'tEven Know You Encounter Every Day," to provide businesses withimportant tips, recommendations, and affordable information securitysolutions. A free brochure entitled "Compromising Behaviors: Don'tLeave Your Business Exposed" guides businesses on how to protect theirvaluable information and is available for downloading atwww.officedepot.com/security.

"Most corporate intelligence losses are not a result of high-techcrime. They are the result of human errors or system loopholes thatcan be easily and cost-effectively remedied," explains Winkler,President of the Internet Security Advisors Group, who has also beendubbed a "Modern Day James Bond" because of his keen understanding ofthe high- and low-tech methods used to make businesses susceptible toinformation security breaches.

Yet, according to Winkler, many companies are vulnerable becausethey don't believe they are at risk.

"I frequently come across small and medium sized businesses thatassume information theft does not apply to them and that appropriatesecurity measures are very costly," Winkler said. "Both of theseassumptions just aren't true. In so many cases, there are simpleactions you can take and basic behaviors that you can change that willdramatically improve your approach to information security."

"Compromising Behaviors: Don't Leave Your Business Exposed" offersa variety of recommendations for simple and affordable solutionsincluding:

-- Keep your PC and security software up to date. Just like you put on a seatbelt when driving a car, the most basic security protection for your PC is to make sure the operating system is up to date and utilizing the recommended security updates. Likewise, you should always install antivirus, anti-spyware and a personal firewall to protect computer files. Keep your software updated as new viruses and spyware bugs are released virtually daily. One protective software package is the Office Depot Internet Security Suite available for $49.99, which shields against viruses, spyware, hackers and phishing scams.

-- Always remember that people are listening. While talking on your cell phone outside of the office, be conscious of your surroundings and keep your voice low whenever possible. Practice this same approach for business discussed in public spaces like a restaurant, coffee house or airport. While it's great to take a client out for a meal, an employee from your competitor could be sitting at the next table. If you need to talk business, consider using code words to discuss confidential projects.

-- Be cautious when working with confidential information. Reviewing documents when traveling or working outside the office can maximize productivity, but, if the files include sensitive information, always make sure no one can see what you are working on. A good way to ensure your information remains safe from wandering eyes is to install a laptop privacy filter so only you can see the information. For example, the 3M(TM) Notebook Privacy Filter, available for as low as $59.99, darkens screen data from a side view allowing only the user to view information on-screen.

-- Always use passwords and keep them safe. Passwords are a simple way to protect your information, but make sure you don't use basic passwords like your name, birthday or phone number. If you need to write down your password, keep it in a secure location and do not share it. If you need to share your password, change it as soon as you can. If you have trouble remembering passwords, the Microsoft Fingerprint Reader, available for $39.99, lets you log on to your PC and your favorite Web sites with the touch of your finger -- without having to remember all of your passwords. Simply place your finger on the receiver whenever a password or user name is required. Some laptops, such as the high-performance Toshiba Satellite(R) P105-S6014 wireless notebook which sells for under $1,599, come equipped with an embedded fingerprint reader to provide biometric password protection for simple one-touch access to applications.

-- Put your laptop on lockdown. Secure your notebook from theft by attaching a cable lock, such as the Targus Defcon CL notebook computer cable lock, available for as little as $29.99, which tethers it to a desk or other surface. Cable locks are portable and can go on the road so if you use a laptop at a business center, it can also be secured.

About Ira Winkler

Ira Winkler is president of the Internet Security Advisors Groupand is considered one of the world's most knowledgeable securityprofessionals. A former intelligence specialist at the NationalSecurity Agency (NSA), Winkler's expertise extends to Internetsecurity, information warfare, information-related crimeinvestigation, and industrial espionage. Dubbed a "Modern Day JamesBond," he specializes in penetration testing, where he gains access tocompanies, both technically and physically, to find and repair anorganization's weaknesses. An accomplished author, Winkler's latestbook, "Spies Among Us: How to Stop the Spies, Terrorists, Hackers andCriminals That You Don't Even Know You Encounter Every Day," seeks toeducate companies about their potential vulnerabilities.

About Office Depot

With annual sales of over $14 billion, Office Depot provides moreoffice products and services to more customers in more countries thanany other company. Incorporated in 1986 and headquartered in DelrayBeach, Florida, Office Depot conducts business in 23 countries andemploys about 47,000 people worldwide. The Company operates under theOffice Depot(R), Viking Office Products(R), and Viking Direct(R) brandnames.

Office Depot is a leader in every distribution channel - fromretail stores and contract delivery to catalogs and e-commerce. Withover $3.8 billion of sales, the Company is one of the world's largeste-commerce retailers. As of April 1, 2006, Office Depot had 1,049retail stores in North America. Internationally, the Company conductswholly-or majority-owned operations in 16 countries, and operatesretail stores under joint venture and license arrangements in anotherfive countries.

The company's common stock is listed on the New York StockExchange under the symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index.

Additional press information can be found at:http://mediarelations.officedepot.com.