Should infected PCs be banned from the Internet?
 

Dear Forum Members

There have been talk recently in the computer press that users are not doing enough to protect themselves from malware, such as bots and viruses. These people tend to think, or fool themselves into believing, that computer security is someone elses problem, i.e. banks, online retailers, government, etc.

However, there are some people who believe that irresponsible PC owners, who will not protect their machines, should be either cut off from the Internet or, at least, restricted, like the Australian government is planning to do this December.

Here is an American newspaper article that explains the debate that's currently going on:

US studying Australian Internet security program *| ajc.com

Also, here is another article showing the number of windows PCs infected with bots so far this year:

Microsoft: Over 2 million U.S. PCs caught in botnets | Security - CNET News

Bearing in mind the number of PCs being constantly infected with malware and the affect it is having on the wider economy, via stolen IDs, bank and credit card details, do forum members believe that irresponsible PC owners, those that refuse to protect or clean their PCs, should be banned from the Internet?



UK Bob

I would welcome receiving a notice from my ISP if it noticed traffic consistant with botnet infection. I would expect the cost of such monitoring to be included in my monthly service charge (just as I am already paying for whatever security measures they currently employ). But I believe the cost should be shared by the ISP, as it seems that Internet security is as important to ISPs as it is to users. The ISPs could charge an extra fee for "premium" antiviral services, similiar to various others currently available on-line.

ISPs should be able to drop customers who do not remove netbots.

It is amazing how many people falsely believe their computers are not infected, especially now with faster, dual- and quad-core processors, and larger amounts of RAM and bandwidth. Reminds me of the time I drove my car on the freeway for about twenty miles without realizing that my parking brake was engaged.

I have to say no. Anything that can give BIG BROTHER a legitimate excuse to snoop around in my personal stuff, I am highly against.

This is just one of the steps towards 1984.

You know Sleepless

I agree with Blackhorse that ISPs should do more to keep the Internet clean and bot free but I would not like my ISP to monitor my communications, especially my personal and/or financial transactions.

However, something must be done about people who refuse or just don't care enough to protect their PCs. After all, there are so many free protective software out there that it is virtually criminal to go on the Internet without at least an AV (windows comes with a free firewall). Its almost like driving a car without seatbelts (which is illegal in the UK).



UK Bob

Well there are other and far less intrusive ways to make sure everyone is running some kind of protection. For example set a date 2 years from now, where every single computer out there would send a message to the dns with type and version of whatever protective software running upon each first connect. While several computers of course would connect through same modem/router, logic would suggest, that if one is protected, most if not all probably are.