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Internet Usage Tax to Combat Viruses?
When Internet users catch a virus there is really no process in place to help quarantine the machine, or any system at all. Without a proper mitigation plan in place nasty Internet viruses can spread like wild fire. In real life, when a case of a serious virus infection is reported, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would storm in and quarantine the infected. But, in the online word it is nothing like this. Since there is no such organisation in place for the Web, viruses usually tend to spread fairly easily and quickly across a multitude of methods. Microsoft has already spent millions in patching the Windows operating system on a constant basis. According to PC World, Microsoft is suggesting a new strategy to put some structure around fighting the many Web viruses that still continue to exist.
Microsoft’s VP for Trustworthy Computer, Scott Charney recently stated that the IT industry needs to start thinking about leveraging “social solutions” against hackers. Charney also commented that the health care model is a good example of how the industry can combat viruses and hackers. He stated that with health care there are programs to not only educate but also to inspect and quarantine the sick. Charney believes that a similar model could work to fight computer viruses too. He stated, “You’re not just accepting it [virus] for yourself, you’re contaminating everyone around you.”
Of course the question is – who would be responsible and pay for the service? Charney believes that an Internet usage tax may help cover the cost of ISPs providing this service. He stated, “You could say it’s a public safety issue and do it with general taxation.”
Its definitely a difficult proposition to raise as almost everyone cringes at the thought of another mandatory tax, which is completely understandable. However, with hackers getting smarter and no foundation or corporation to combat them, this may not be such a bad idea in the long run - you could end up owing the security of your computer to this new system, just as you would your health in the hands of the health care sector.
Your thoughts?
Tags: internet, microsoft, security, tax
Views: 11
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by SniperKitten on -
Maybe the tax should be payed by those who gain money with the internet, because let's face it, internet is also a success because it's free, it's wild, like the WildWest the WorldWildWeb ;-)
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Permalink Reply by David King on -
Fair point to be honest, but then if not by tax to the consumer, how do we combat the problem? The sheer scale of social media surely requires a coordinated and effective management system now.. it's not like you can ignore it any more.
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Permalink Reply by David King on
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That's true, but it's probably the case that they can't afford to do that..
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Permalink Reply by David King on
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Probably won't, and yeah, so inevitable really.
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Permalink Reply by SniperKitten on
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We pay our ISP, we pay our gear, pay our software
and if we are smart we pay for a virusscanner and antimalware filter, backup system (which is mostely included in the OS these days)
no problems, no tax needed
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Permalink Reply by David King on
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Clearly there are problems because despite that, there is still loads of malware and viruses around, and there will always be someone who will create something that can bypass these filters.
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Permalink Reply by SniperKitten on
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So he replaces his virus infected system with a nice backup...
And hackers getting smarter? I'm not so sure, my experience our company has less hack attempts but our users at home pc's have more... And we even still have an NT server running (ssst hidding carefully in the network)
Anyone statistics about this? Or experiencing the same? -
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Permalink Reply by ChuckysChild on -
completely agree. take comcast it cost them about 7 dollars to provide their 15mbps service, but their average price for the service is 46 dollars. that is a 550% plus profit. companies do not need profits like this.
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Permalink Reply by Anubis on -
people need to get more pro-active, I am sick of this idea that government has to do every damn thing for us, people need to take some responsibility, get a good anti virus program, secure your data, etc.
The reason the internet is so great is because the government is largely uninvolved, I am not saying there shouldn't be police out there catching the nuts on the internet or tracking the hackers. But we are taxed and intruded upon enough.
-Anubis
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Boone on -
Dude, if you ever decide you want to have a litter of kittens... I'm down...
Users SHOULD be more pro-active. Government getting their grubby little hands in the way only means the content value of the internet will drop. After-all, the internet falls under the safety of "Freedom of Speech", let the government get too much of a finger-hold and they'll start blocking what they (yes, I used they, as in MIB) see as being fit and unfit. That hasn't worked out exactly like the Aussies had hoped from what I'm understanding, at least not from the writers at The Register.
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Permalink Reply by David King on
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Agreeing on legislation would definitely be a major step forward.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Whitcomb on -
the government shouldn't do this and shouldn't be able to do this because nobody owns the internet, we pay ISPs to access it, but they don't own it. the internet is a world wide network of computers, the only ones who have problems with viruses and hackers are the people who are to ignorant to even be allowed near a computer. just like universal health care, the people who work hard and know what they are doing are going to have to pay for the stupid lazy people who sit around and let viruses infect and destroy either their pc or their body.
© 2012 Created by Chris Pirillo.
