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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)?"

9 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. how does the average user validate the source? by MrRTFM · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Only problem with email or TXT alerts is that the sender is easily forged.

    Hi, this is your government alert - please download the latest patch from http://www.alerts.gov.uk

    The problem is that (apart from Slashdot users of course) that the hyperlinks are hidden, so any spammer can forge these messages to catch the unwary.

    That alone would bring this thing down - it would only take a few lords or half a dozen grandmas to see goatse (or worse - gator spyware) to cause a public lack of confidence in the entire government program.

    --
    You can't expect to wield supreme executive power, just because some watery tart threw a sword at you
  2. We all know what's next by gowen · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When will we expect the first Trojan masquerading as an update from the "IT Safe" service. The over/under is about 6 hours after the service goes live.

    --
    Athletic Scholarships to universities make as much sense as academic scholarships to sports teams.
  3. doesn't make sense. by jwcorder · · Score: 4, Insightful
    This does not make sense. Almost all anti-virus vendors offer this same alert. All you have to do is go to their website and signup. I know because I get 3-5 of them a day in my inbox. Why the government would want to waste taxpayer dollars on this is beyond me. Of course, I have no reason to talk because I don't live in the UK.

    But when going on the US's past programs like this, any time you get the government involved, things tend to get out of hand.

    I just don't understand the need especially when symantec will do this for free.

    --
    http://jayceecorder.blogspot.com
    1. Re:doesn't make sense. by beset · · Score: 3, Insightful

      We're used to wasting our POUNDS on failed IT ventures. If you've been following the recent upgrade of the NHS (national health service) ITC systems you'll know the government IT projects work something like: 1) Get overpaid consultancy firm to suggest "great idea" 2) Insert Tax Money 3) ??? 4) Insert More Tax Money 5) ??? 6) Abandon project at a massive loss. We're Brits remember, we'll just take it on the chin and have a game of tennis to vent....

      --
      1) Clever Sig 2) ????? 3) Profit!
    2. Re:doesn't make sense. by gowen · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Almost all anti-virus vendors offer this same alert.
      And in 19th century New York, there were any number of competitive Fire Companies you could call if you wanted a blaze extinguished. And yet somehow, it was decided that people with a commercial interest in selling you stuff were not the people you wanted to call for an emergency.

      Governments are flawed, but AV companies have a vested interest in selling you things you don't want.
      --
      Athletic Scholarships to universities make as much sense as academic scholarships to sports teams.
  4. Tax spent to plug holes? by CdXiminez · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Now that the UK is going to spend tax payer's money to prevent problems caused by poor design by private companies, are they going to put extra tax on the purchase of vulnerable products and licenses (mostly Windows)?

    I wouldn't want my tax money being spend on plugging the holes in software I don't use.

  5. Has this been attempted anywhere else? by PHAEDRU5 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The topic asks if this has been attempted anywhere else.

    Well, there is the Computer Emergency Response Team at Carnegie Mellon University, and I like their approach.

    I mean, one way they respond to threats is to contact anti-virus manufacturers. From there, it's a short step patches available via subscription.

    You get the deep pockets of government to maintain the watch, and the rapid response of industry when a threat's been isolated. I like that division of labor.

    --
    668: Neighbour of the Beast
  6. Election coming up? by badfish99 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    There's no useful information on the site, but the front page features a press release and several big pictures of a government minister.

    There's an election coming up, so it looks to me like another useless publicity stunt. I'm sure the web site will be left to wither once it's been reported in all the newspapers that the government is keeping us safe from "cyber-terrorism".

  7. MS Anti Virus? by Barny · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Heard they are considering not releaseing it.

    If they charge money for it, their makeing the industry rely on their buggy software, and then instead of fixing the software sell you "protection", sound familiar?

    If they give it away, will be seen as anti competitive with all the very big business anti virus software manufacturers out there.

    --
    ...
    /me sighs