Crime Expert Backs Call For "License To Compute" 327
The Cable Guy writes to mention that Russel Smith, one of Australia's principal criminologists, is pushing for first-time computer users to be required to earn a license to browse the web. "The Australian Computer Society launched computer driver's licenses in 1999. It aimed to give users a basic level of competency before they started using PCs. But the growth in cybercrime has led to IT security experts such as Eugene Kaspersky to call for more formalized recognition of a user's identity so they can travel the net safely. Last week Dr. Smith sat in front of a Federal Government Inquiry into cybercrime and advised Australia's senior politicians on initiatives in train to fight cybercrime. He said that education was secondary to better technology solutions."
In Soviet Australia: (Score:4, Funny)
Computers license YOU !
Yours In Ulyanovsk,
Kilgore Trout
Re:WTF? (Score:5, Funny)
How does letting THEM, know who I am, make ME safer?
The same way painting your car red makes it go faster.
Basic safety steps - Saving AU $500k in dev cost (Score:5, Funny)
Dear Australia:
1. Get a hardware firewall and configure it properly.
2. Don't open unexpected attachments, even if you're trying to help because those strata minutes must have been sent to you by mistake and you should read them to find out who to send them to.
3. Don't click the banners.
4. No, it's not true. Don't forward the email.
5. If a computer asks you for information, lie.
6. It's not your bank. It's NEVER your bank. It's also never paypal, amazon, your ISP, or the police.
Love,
1999.
Re:WTF? (Score:2, Funny)
(1) "devise technology that makes it difficult or impossible for people to be defrauded"
So some sort of mind control/constraint device for people then? Ha, ha.
(2) "At the moment we have drivers licences for cars, and cars are very dangerous machines. Computers are also quite dangerous"
Haven't seen anyone run over by a computer recently. I wonder what is the death toll caused by poor "driving" of a computer these days?
Re:Nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
Honestly I'd like to see them create separate tests for Linux, Mac and Windows
That's hardly an inclusive list. I'm not going to bother reading the article, the idea of an internet license has been floated for a long time now, but they probably need to add smart phones too.
If this actually makes sense (I do not think it does), the obvious next step is to require people to purchase internet insurance in case they get into an accident/install malware and spread SPAM or DDOS attacks.
Sigh.
Re:WTF? (Score:5, Funny)
Agreed. Look at these particularly stupid statements: (1) "devise technology that makes it difficult or impossible for people to be defrauded" So some sort of mind control/constraint device for people then? Ha, ha. (2) "At the moment we have drivers licences for cars, and cars are very dangerous machines. Computers are also quite dangerous" Haven't seen anyone run over by a computer recently. I wonder what is the death toll caused by poor "driving" of a computer these days?
blatant plagiarizing is breathtakingly stupid
...from the comments in the origional story
A duo of breathtakingly stupid statements: (1) "devise technology that makes it difficult or impossible for people to be defrauded" Oh right. So some sort of mind control/constraint device for people then? (2) "At the moment we have drivers licences for cars, and cars are very dangerous machines. Computers are also quite dangerous" Haven't seen anyone run over by a computer recently. What exactly is the death toll caused by poor "driving" of a computer these days?
nice try though
Re:Nonsense (Score:3, Funny)
Also, if you live in the US, and want to use a computer to connect to a .AU web site, you're going to have to fly all the way to Australia to take your computing test at the Australian Department of Electro Computers to get a license and therefore permission to access the australian interweb, otherwise you'll get a warning on your first offense, assessed a large escalating fine on your second, third, and fourth offenses, and finally, on your fifth offense, you will be required to mail your computer to the AU enforcement office for impoundment until you settle matters.
This is clearly thinly-disguised proposal to bolster Australia's tourism industry, in light of the economic recession.
Re:Nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
Honestly I'd like to see them create separate tests for Linux, Mac and Windows cause one test does NOT apply to all three.
Well, the real test with Linux is installing it. The real test with Windows is not having to reinstall it every few months. I've only used a Mac a handful of times, but I'd imagine the real test there is enduring the daily beatings for your lunch money.
Okay, I tend to agree with you.
Re:Nonsense (Score:4, Funny)
I expect Linux and Mac users probably require a special "UNIX" endorsment on their license to run a real OS, like large truck drivers need.
iPhone and similar mobile devices (with mobile browsers) need a license similar to what one needs to legally operate a motorcycle.
This could cause a resurgence in simpler phone devices, they'd have a niche market for people who don't want to pay the fees for a special license to operate a web browser on a phone.
Also, don't forget, these licenses only last 4 years, they contain a picture, and can only be renewed online once every other time.
So every 8 years, you have to go back to the Department of Electrocomputers and wait in line for 2 or 3 hours to get your renewal, as well as your typing skills (WPM) test.
In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:WTF? (Score:3, Funny)
So you're saying it only works if you're an Ork, then.
"He said that education was secondary....." (Score:3, Funny)
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Re:Nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
Make fun of the Windows users from the high vantage point of a Linux user?
Re:WTF? (Score:3, Funny)
If the only tool you have is a screwdriver, everything looks like it needs to be screwed.
And the irony is how many screws are still loose.
Re:WTF? (Score:4, Funny)
Well, since Slashdot has gotten better about not posting so many dupes, people have to look somewhere other than yesterday's posting of the same story for highly-rated comments.
Re:WTF? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:WTF? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:WTF? (Score:3, Funny)
$OTHER_PARTY is ruining the country.
Mod parent up! Those fuckers have been in control of both houses and the presidency for over 150 years!
wow (Score:2, Funny)