A development across the Tasman could have implications in
this country given the closeness of our relationship with
Australia and the fact the country remains New Zealand's
largest export market.
A new industry code to control Australia's plague of
contaminated PCs could mean computers infected with viruses
could be "expelled" from the internet.
The Australian newspaper reported the Internet Industry
Association - whose members include major internet service
providers Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, AAPT, Virgin and
Hutchison 3G, as well as industry giants Facebook, Google and
Microsoft - is preparing a voluntary industry code to come
into force this year.
The move follows industry intelligence that Australia now
hosts the world's third-highest number of "zombie" computers
- that is computers infected with malicious software that can
attack other PCs, send spam, store child pornography or steal
the user's identity.
A daft copy of the voluntary code says the service providers
should identify affected computers and try to contact the
users, by telephone or email.
It proposes service providers apply an "abuse" plan to slow
down the speed of the customer's infected computer, or to
change the customer's password so they are forced to call the
help desk.
Another action could be to provide the customer with a
timeframe in which to take remedial action and, if this is
not adhered to, terminate service.
Those are fighting words and when you consider the membership
of the Australian industry association, it does not take a
major leap to see the implications for New Zealand.
Telstra, Vodafone and AAPT are represented in New Zealand
through TelstraClear, Vodafone and Telecom, respectively.
Microsoft has a large presence in New Zealand, with offices
in Auckland and Christchurch, and Facebook and Google have
growing numbers of representatives.
If the industry code is adopted in Australia, voluntarily or
not, it will not take much to shift it lock, stock and barrel
across the Tasman Sea.
Australia accounts for 6.3% of the world's "new zombies",
compared with 18% from the United States and 12.2% from
China.
Chances are that if Australia has a high infection rate, then
New Zealand must, on a comparative basis, be getting up
there.
The best advice around is keep your virus protection up to
date.
Mack-Line is trying Avast (www.avast.com) on a netbook.
So far, it has been more than impressive.
It is free, friendly and fast.
A "voice"alerts you to updates.
It is worth a try.
