Oh boy this has to be about the highest level of stupidity of the Rudd Government not only do they wish to filter your Internet they will also potentially attempt to ban you if you don't comply. The unanswered question remains that the OS in question (Microsoft Windows) has simply got a lot to answer for, in that its lack of genuine security now making an government believe that the only solution is to attempt the following …

Compulsory computer protection mooted

Providers would also have to tell users when their computer might be infected and offer a "clear policy on graduated access restrictions and, if necessary, disconnection until the infected machine is remediated".

BY DAVID MCLENNAN

23 Jun, 2010 12:00 AM

Australians could be forced to install anti-virus protection on their computers and have their access to the internet shut down if they did not remove software infections, under a proposed crackdown on cyber crime.The Hackers, Fraudsters and Botnets: tackling the problem of cyber crime report, written by a bipartisan parliamentary committee, calls for a new Office of Online Security headed by a Cyber Security Coordinator and a national online cyber crime reporting facility, which would operate 24 hours a day offering help, referrals and free access to scanning software.

The report said cyber crime had grown over the past decade from the "nuisance of the cyber smart hacker into an organised transnational crime committed for vast profit and often with devastating consequences for its victims".

Committee chairwoman Labor MP Belinda Neal said the Australian Communications and Media Authority detected thousands of compromised computers every day, "with many people often unaware that their personal financial information is at risk of theft by criminals operating online".

They could be unknowingly "distributing child pornography or actually interfering with other people's privacy, stealing their identities in internet fraud".

The report said Australia needed to apply the "same energy and commitment given to national security" to the cyber crime threats that impacted on society more generally.

The committee called for a new voluntary code of practice for internet service providers to be made mandatory.

"The private sector must also play its part. The internet industry has to accept that commercial gains also carry social responsibilities," it said.

It said internet service providers should have to provide basic security advice when accounts were set up, and not allow new users to log on to the internet until they had installed anti-virus software and firewalls.

See original article from www.canberratimes.com.au here

So are we to accept this potential flawed policy, or are we to challenge it should it even be given the time of day in parliament. Its getting clear the our current government doesn't trust us nor do they even think that we can be responsible Internet users. We may have had Kevin 07 but if the Labor party are really serious on this then I doubt that there will be a Kevin 10/11 (when ever he dare call the next election) So its time to pose the question to your local Federal M.P what their stance is on such policy, and ensure that its not just you that believes this to be a complete load of CRAP!  😐