'Secure your PC or lose the net'

[starrylizard]

And Just to prove (even without Conroy's input!) the Australian Government will continue to come up with fun ways to regulate Australian internet users... *facepalm*

'Secure your PC or lose the net' ~ The Age

Australians would be unable to access the internet without having anti-virus and firewall programs installed and a virus-free machine under a new plan put forward by a year-long parliamentary cyber-crime inquiry.

Well that's my parents off the web. And then...

"There is software available, which could be on end-user machines, that would allow my ISP, as I log in, to check that I have my firewall turned on, that I have an antivirus that [it] approves or recommends installed on my computer, and that my operating system and browser are patched. And if those things aren't met, then [my ISP would not] give me [access]," MacGibbon said.

Colin Jacobs, chairman of the online users' lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia, complained that this would be the equivalent of installing "spyware" on users' computers.

You think? *facepalm*

I also hate to be so cynical, but I wonder how much a company would have to pay to be an "approved" antivirus or firewall provider?

Comments

[lark_ascends]

"That my operating system and browser are patched"--there goes most of the computers in my house. LOL.

Oi. I can understand it on one level, but on the other--no. Just no.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't work. Education, yes! Get people like my parents to understand why it is important to both install and update virus protection, but to legislate that ISP providers check it before allowing you internet access is just... odd. Seriously.

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling that the Australian gov has absolutely no idea how the internet works...

ETA: I'm on a Mac, I DON'T NEED anti-virus! As a matter of fact, it tends to fuck up my machine when I have it!

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Yeah. They seem afraid of it. But they obviously never use it or they'd know where the real dangers lie rather than just making up new ones. *eyeroll*

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

To be fair, at this stage this is not anything from the actual government. It's a report from a committee which has MPs from all parties involved.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

True, I understand that. I also get that it's only one small part of the overall report that is rather unworkable. But from past experience, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they decided to try to implement it.

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

Most of the people commenting at the article don't seem to :\

And double kitties!

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Just to add more kitties!

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

Frankly, between having to deal with this government's policy in immigration everyday in my job, I'm really not incline to give them too much credit...

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

Agreed, there's plenty enough to complain about. And Conroy needs a serious reality check. But when you look at the other side :(

I was such a political junkie, but these days I'm just pissed off with those I had hope for, and scared to death of the increasing possibility of the alternative.

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

Going to hell in a handbasket, that's the term that pops into my head when I start to think about politics.

And for someone who actually hates politics and wanted nothing to do with it, I deal with a lot of fallout in terms of immigration and related policies. Urgh.

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

It's not the actual government suggesting this (at this stage), it's just another recommendation from another report from a committee (which has MPs from all parties involved). Most of these never get anywhere, and I'm thinking this one would be particularly difficult to implement.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I also hate to be so cynical, but I wonder how much a company would have to pay to be an "approved" antivirus or firewall provider?

omg! Just the thought of that..... :(

This is all scary stuff.

I kinda love that the government is freaked out by the "freedom" the internet provides. They really want an off switch and it just don't exist (well, at the moment - or maybe I'm being cynical) Spyware.... most definitely.

OT, but a very, very belated congrats on your awards. I saw your post and wanted to say that ages ago. So - yay! Congrats!
xx

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

They are only suggestions to the government at the moment, but on past track record, I'm already getting antsy. Can't help it.

OT, but a very, very belated congrats on your awards
Thanks hon! Crystal and I got one fro Dear Diary too. In the Secondary Characters one. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Crystal and I got one fro Dear Diary too. In the Secondary Characters one.

Oh yay! I really love what you guys did with that vid. Congrats. \o/

[reedfem.livejournal.com]

Oh hey, while they're in there, they could go ahead and check all your files for anything the government has decided you shouldn't see, or just copy the lot and send it off to the government to sift through and make sure you're not dangerous or anything. For your protection.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

I know, right. So far it's only one suggestion in a report to the Government, but it does pique my paranoia, especially given our Government's track record this year for trying to regulate us poor net users.

[smuffster.livejournal.com]

Seriously? Are they on crack up there?

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Well at least it's just a suggestion in a paper at the moment. They aren't implementing it.... yet.