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UK Government Launches Virus Alert Service

Posted by Zonk on from the had-this-been-an-actual-virus-pr0n-would-have-appeared dept.

Phil1 writes "The BBC is reporting that a rapid alerting service that tells home computer users about serious internet security problems is being launched by the UK government. Has this been attempted anywhere else in the world? Was it successful? And will they be plugging the Microsoft Anti-Spyware package (once it leaves beta)?"

6 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. Anti-Virus package? by DaHat · · Score: 5, Informative

    You linked to the Anti-Spyware app... and mentioned the AV app... have they already released a beta of the AV? I know it's been purchased and in the process of rebranding... but come on!

    --
    Help Brendan pay off his student loans
  2. Re:how does the average user validate the source? by Folmer · · Score: 4, Informative

    When you sign up for the ITsafe mail, you will have to provide a "ITsafe word" which will be in the subject of the email, and therefor its easy to see if its a forged mail..
    read more here: http://www.itsafe.gov.uk/terms/itsafeword.html

  3. The Dutch are doing this for 2 years already by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    The Dutch Government CSIRT is doing this for two years already. So you can chill out to a cool Legowelt CD and get warned when there's a new threat.

  4. Also avaible for Non-UK'ers by Folmer · · Score: 3, Informative

    On the site: http://www.itsafe.gov.uk/ theres no check to see if you are an UK citizen.. Also theres no mention of it being for UK'ers only on the site or in the press release...
    Although i migth just use the service from DK-cert or some anti virus company..

  5. Spain is running this kind of service by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    for the las 3 years. At Alerta Antivirus

  6. Belgium has this: BIPT by wimbor · · Score: 5, Informative

    Since a few years the Belgian regulatory body for postal services and telecommunication (BIPT), has a special unit that tracks and warns for (possible) virus attacks.

    Sometimes you get a warning of the BIPT in the radio news or during the traffic information announcements.

    http://www.bipt.be/bipt_E.htm

    I do not know how they work or how they are structured, and if it helps at all, but the UK is not the first country to do this...