Anti virus and firewall could be mandatory for Internet access

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 22 June 2010 10:48

IT Policy - Regulation

A year long Parliamentary enquiry into cyber crime has concluded with a call for installation of antivirus software and firewalls to be a pre requisite for gaining access to the Internet.

The requirement for end users to install, and keep current, protection software would be incorporated into a mandatory code of practice for ISPs that went beyond the recently adopted voluntary code.

The enquiry, undertaken by the House of Representatives Standing Communications Committee, was initiated by communications minister, senator Stephen Conroy in May 2009. IT received 68 submissions and 22 supplementary submissions and conducted 11 public hearings.

Committee chair, Belinda Neal said: "The Internet service providers should not shoulder a disproportionate amount of the cyber crime burden, but ISPs are in a unique position to inform consumers if their computer is infected. End users must also take responsibility for protecting themselves online to prevent the spread of computer viruses to the rest of the community."

The report calls on the ACMA to take the lead role and work with the Internet Industry Association (which developed the new voluntary code) to immediately develop a more comprehensive code under which ISPs would have to: require all subscribers to install anti-virus software and firewalls before the Internet connection is activated; require their subscribers "to endeavour to keep e-security software protections up to date; and take reasonable steps to remediate their computer(s) when notified of suspected malware compromise."

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