• by Amy Corr , Staff Writer, July 20, 2006

Proving that even security can be a laughing matter, software provider Symantec took a comedic path to educate about online theft.

The company hired Night Agency to create the microsite SafetyTown.com, where users can watch "Phished," a movie series divided into four episodes to be found exclusively online. The Webisodes follow a victim of phishing and his outlandish efforts to find the person who stole his credit card number.

The story begins with a man making an online purchase. When he gets a phone call from his bank about some suspicious charges, he views everyone as a suspect  even his 7-year-old son. Soon the man leaves his home wearing a down jacket over his  pajamas to find the site of the dubious purchase: an Arkansas sporting goods store.

After further tribulations, he locates the culprit, a blond woman dressed as a ninja.

The site has a movie-theater feel as you watch. Try the exit door and you're led to a concession stand where you can sign up for e-mail alerts, download wallpapers and tunes from the movie, or buy Symantec products.

New episodes will launch every quarter through the end of the year.