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Story: Organised crime behind Sobig - virus expert

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Posted by: Alan Millar (Sunday 24 August 2003, 3:13 AM)

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Over the next few years, the internet will have to evolve in much the same way as the growth of the car industry was forced to.
The analogy is this...
When the first motor cars appeared, anyone could buy one; drive it almost anywhere with no safety standards in place for the driver or pedestrian. No insurance needed for either party. No vehicle safety check. No driving tests!! A new technology with no rules or laws in place to guide it has to be prepared to allow these rules & laws to grow evolve with it.

Similarly, when the net started to grow, anyone could buy a PC; go anywhere, with virtually no operating knowledge, security (virus or credit card being the obvious risks).

We want our freedom on the net while at the same time feeling secure.

Since this "new" technology is used around the globe, all nations will have to get together & fashion some kind of laws against abuse, scams, spam, viruses & other forms of internet misconduct.
It looked as if this would be something that governments would 'get around to' eventually...until the events of the past year or so.
ISP's could be legally required to provide Antivirus & Firewall facilities included in the package sold to the customer, just as car manufacturers are legally required to fit seat belts?
Both limit damage during a crash.
Something along these lines has to be invoked when you consider the past week's events where a children's hospital in Glasgow was victim to one the viruses.
Terrorists also have found a mighty friend in the internet, in so far as communication is concerned.
Similarly, organised crime and unscrupulous marketing & trading companies (and individuals) are almost as safe as houses while carrying out their dodgy & sometimes sordid 'business'.
Safe in the knowledge that, under current legislation, tracing them is almost impossible.
The words 'haystack' and 'needle' come to mind.

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