• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, October 17, 2011

Google has launched a campaign to increase awareness of online security threats in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau in the United Kingdom, but the universal advice could come in handy for advertisers and consumers worldwide.

The marketing and creative materials for the Good to Know campaign, produced in part by M&C Saatchi, range from search ads to display ads on non-YouTube sites, as well as YouTube videos on Google's privacy channel, according to a Google spokesperson.

The U.K. campaign could become a starting point for a global initiative educating consumers and advertisers.

"We're new to this kind of advertising, and we want to make sure the ads are useful to consumers," the spokesperson said. "We're starting in the U.K. If British consumers find the ads accessible and actionable, we hope to extend the geography and scope of the campaign."

A four-minute video on interest-based advertisingdescribes how Google serves up online search ads across the Web. It details how cookies with random numbers and letters are stored in browsers to remember the searcher's visit. If the person visits Web sites containing travel-related information, Google puts the browser-related cookie number in the travel interest category. When the searcher visits Web sites with interest-based Ads by Google, the search engine recognizes the Google cookie number and serves up travel-related ads.

Advertiser partners also can identify the number to deliver related ads across Google's search network.

In the video, Google emphasizes that targeting does not rely on any sensitive or personal information, as well as information stored in email accounts. Consumers also can opt out. While a YouTube video describes how search information is used by advertisers and Google to serve up ads, the campaign focuses on broader security concerns and safeguards.

A series of cartoons in videos are being used to simplify the complicated issues, but Google emphasizes that it doesn't take the topics lightly. Most videos describe IP addresses, search logs, malwares, and cookies in short 30- to 60-second informational snippets. They also highlight the best way to use a safe browser, set passwords, and prevent phishing attacks.