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."
Re:WTF? (Score:5, Informative)
Hmmm. This requirement that you need a license/ID to "travel the net" is roughly equivalent to saying I need a license to walk down the sidewalk. "Papiere bitte." "I don't have any papers." "Papiere schnell!" "I told you I don't have any papers. Hey! Let go!" And then you get arrested for walking without ID.
You shouldn't need "permission" to travel freely either IRL or online.
Something like this happened on my Alma Mater. My old professor invited me to come visit for a student presentation day, which I did, and then I had dinner with some of the students, and watched a little MTV in the *public* lounge. Suddenly a security guard came-up and demanded my ID. I said it's in my car. Then she tried to escort me to the security office, and I refused. I told her I'll just leave and did so, even though she tried to stop me (I run faster).
To say I was angry is an understatement. Can you imagine the same thing happening everywhere you go in real life, or on the net???
Oh:
And yes the president of the college got an angry phonecall. I told him that he won't be getting any more donations from me. If my presence as a graduate is not welcome, then neither is my money.
Re:Nonsense (Score:3, Informative)
Honestly I'd like to see them create separate tests for Linux, Mac and Windows cause one test does NOT apply to all three.
Sure it does. "This is the address bar. This part is the hostname. 'http' means you're in danger, 'https' means there's a bit less danger, a green bar with the name of the company you're trying to do business with means there's even less." "Don't open unexpected email attachments, no matter how much free porn they promise." "If the lights on your modem are always on even when you're not using the computer, get the computer looked at by a professional."
Re:WTF? (Score:3, Informative)
I wonder what is the death toll caused by poor "driving" of a computer these days?
At least one [thetechherald.com]
Re:WTF? (Score:2, Informative)
Well, at least now we have the explanation for your painfully parochial world view.
Oh relax - he's American. America is a big place and contains lots of cool things like Disney World, The Bronx, Scientology and cars. Really, why would anyone want to leave?
Re:Basic safety steps - Saving AU $500k in dev cos (Score:1, Informative)
I'd probably add four more to round out the list just for sanity reasons:
7: Learn what backing up a computer means. It does not mean shoving it as far to the wall as it will go. Every modern mainstream OS out there has a really easy way to back it up. And I mean really easy. As in plug in an external USB drive, click the program, let it do the rest of the work. One might have to set up a schedule, but that is it for difficulty. These days, basic backing up isn't hard. Backup and Restore in Windows 7 and Vista, Windows Server Backup, and Time Machine takes zero effort to set up to get working with an external drive. For more options, a third party utility like Retrospect, Carbon Copy Cloner, bru (if on UNIX), TrueImage, Backup Exec, Networker, or TSM can do virtually anything one would want with a backup program.
8: FileVault, TrueCrypt, and dm_crypt [1] are free utilities either bundled with the OS, or easily downloaded. Bitlocker is free with some editions of Vista and Windows 7, and free with Windows Server 2008. Encrypt your stuff so that stolen hardware can be written off as lost hardware, not lost hardware and stolen data. There is also security software available for USB flash drives, so someone can't steal your term paper or Quicken bank account records. If you are blessed with Enterprise or Ultimate editions of Windows 7, BitLocker To Go is a no brainer. TrueCrypt is good, so it OS X's encrypted disk images. On the UNIX side, one can use CFS (or a variant), or encrypt an image via a mounted loopback system. There is no excuse to not encrypt information on potentially losable media. Trust me, you sleep better at night knowing that the USB flash drive you left on the table right by the vend a goat machine won't be able to be used by someone you really don't like about your Facebook habits.
9: No, "swordfish", "hunter2", or "12345" on the luggage are not good passwords. For passwords that actually might stand up to someone guessing, there are many websites on how to make and remember passwords that cannot be brute forced on a blackhat's netbook in seconds.
10: No, the sexy talking person of the opposite gender that mailed you that wants your attention is in reality a blackhat in another country, 300 pounds, hasn't bathed in several days, has more zits on a face than a pizza with everything on it, and just wants from you the contents of your bank account and your credit score so he can buy more WoW accounts on the black market to farm gold with.
[1]: All major Linux releases have encrypted filesystem support available on install. On a laptop, it is foolish not to use this.
Re:WTF? (Score:5, Informative)
Most people forget that a passport is a relatively recent "invention" of governments. Prior to the 20th Century, and even throughout most of the 20th Century, most ordinary citizens did not have a passport when traveling between countries. This was originally a device to indicate some sort of diplomatic status and to certify that status on an official basis.
Countries, even modern industrialized countries with large and very mobile populations with access to cheap transportation methods affordable by ordinary laborers, had citizens that were able to and indeed did travel between other countries... including as mere "tourists". You were pretty much who you claimed to be, and if you packed up and moved elsewhere establishing a new identify, nobody really cared as long as you were law-abiding and generally neighborly.
This said, telling somebody from a law-enforcement agency that they don't need to see your identification is generally frowned upon as those in law enforcement love to be in charge and in control. A lack of ID puts the officer at a distinct disadvantage as they simply don't know how to react to a perfect stranger with no background as to who that person might be. Getting the ID (including passport) implies that the law enforcement agencies and officers can get a database on who you are, how harmless or otherwise you might be, and to track your actions and movements. Information, any information in this case, is power. This data can and will be used against you for any of their purposes... which is why liberty-seeking individuals bristle at the thought of giving ID information for nearly any reason, and then only reluctantly.
Re:WTF? (Score:1, Informative)
Everyone knows that you have to paint on flames to make your car go faster.
Re:Shhh ... (Score:2, Informative)
I'm an inhuman monster who things we should sterilize everyone at 12. If they want kids some time later, have them pass a simple parenting test, and the process is reversed.
Deal! You rush off and solve that little "And the process is reversed" impossibility, and then we will open discussions on the rest of your plan.
reversing both vasectomys and tubal ligations are solved problems
Not trying to be pedantic here, but... (Score:3, Informative)
While I do agree with most of your post, I had to question this one aspect. The term/word passport is a modern one, the working concept of 'passports' is an old one dating back to at least 450 B.C. in the Persian Empire. [wikipedia.org] Maybe even older for all we/I know. :-)
You are correct in stating that it was mostly a diplomatic status and to certify that status on an official basis until recently, but not a new concept.
This said, telling somebody from a law-enforcement agency that they don't need to see your identification is generally frowned upon as those in law enforcement love to be in charge and in control. A lack of ID puts the officer at a distinct disadvantage as they simply don't know how to react to a perfect stranger with no background as to who that person might be.
Yes, and yes.
However, in the USA(IIRC), unless you are operating a motor vehicle** on the gov't. owned roads, you have no legal obligation to show ID to law enforcement on demand.If they feel they have reason to arrest you, it is still their burden to establish who you are for booking you...no matter what tripe they try on you about how it is illegal to deny them your identity.(and they will try this!!!)
Because of all of the fscked laws enacted here in the USA, it can be a grey area and huge can of worms to sort out(see: vagrancy laws), but bottom line is you do not have to ID yourself by Fed. law(which trumps State law) unless you are served with a warrant.
Having said this, it is usually cheaper/easier to cooperate on the ID thing, but YMMV GREATLY!
Hint: check your Federal, State, and Local laws...do some research if it matters to you, and 'stick by yer guns!'
*disclaimer: IANAL*
**In the USA, almost all, if not all States require signing a waiver when you get your Driver's License to agree to show your ID when requested by a law enforcement officer when operating a motor vehicle on the public roadways-it is a requirement...no debate...it is a condition that must be met to keep your driver's license valid.(However, the passengers do not have this same onerous requirement most places, depending on circumstances...again, YMMV)
Re:WTF? (Score:3, Informative)
>>>It college. We're talking about ADULTS here. They can fend for themselves.
Well I can understand if I had been wandering around and peeking into dorm windows, but I wasn't. I was in the public area. Also 9 p.m. is hardly "late at night". That's just the evening in college.
Furthermore it isn't necessary for a security guard to detain somebody. For what cause? Was an arrest warrant issued? No. According to the law if a bar, store, or other public facility allows entrance without an ID, they can not suddenly change their minds and demand ID, or else arrest you. All they can do is ask you to leave - that's it. Which I told the officer I'd be happy to do, but SHE decided to escalate it to an unlawful detainment.
The cops need to learn they are not allowed to abuse their privilege. They are bound by law same as ordinary people.