'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

Comments

[starrylizard]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.