Sci/Tech US studying Australian Internet security program

[phyrex1an]

The government is reviewing an Australian program that will allow Internet service providers to alert customers if their computers are taken over by hackers and could limit online access if people don't fix the problem.

Obama administration officials have met with industry leaders and experts to find ways to increase online safety while trying to balance securing the Internet and guarding people's privacy and civil liberties.

Experts and U.S. officials are interested in portions of the plan, set to go into effect in Australia in December. But any move toward Internet regulation or monitoring by the U.S. government or industry could trigger fierce opposition from the public.

The discussions come as private, corporate and government computers across the U.S. are increasingly being taken over and exploited by hackers and other computer criminals.

US studying Australian Internet security program that warns users of hacker attacks

WASHINGTON - The government is reviewing an Australian program that will allow Internet service providers to alert customers if their computers are taken over by hackers and could limit online access…

www.lubbockonline.com

 

[FireCat]

Still, it's kinda fucked up idea!

and

They may even be willing to pay a small price each month for the service — much like telephone customers used to pay a minimal monthly charge to cover repairs.

Sounds like a strategy for them to start taxing the internet. And Moar $$$$$

 

[Ninja_sheep]

I just don't think this is necessary.

It really is easy enough to avoid most viruses with free programs.

 

[seph ir oth]

It really is easy enough to avoid most viruses by just avoiding untrusted websites and files.

Fix'd.

 

[Slapshot136]

I just don't think this is necessary.

It really is easy enough to avoid most viruses with free programs.

then botnets wouldn't exist, don't you agree? yet they do, so clearly something is necessary - perhaps its not in the free programs, but something is clearly lacking - an example would be the amount of users still using internet explorer 6

and I really hope they also look into the price/performance of the internet in Australia as well, and then compare that to the current U.S. internet

 

[sqrage]

My ISP already does this... my sister's laptop was hijacked a while back and they just shut off our internet and said to fix the problem about malicious content being up/downloaded so I formatted her comp and it was fine.

 

[BlackRose]

set to go into effect in Australia in December

What? O-o

 

[Jesus4Lyf]

set to go into effect in Australia in December

What? O-o

... I second this. Why is the only way us Aussies hear about this through US news..?
I'm glad my ISP is run by family. :thup:

Actually, what is this gonna cover..? What makes malware malware?

 

[GooS]

To bad many of the solutions for fixing the problem can be found online!