Posts by Joshua Flynn

Pentagon chief: no more oil for blood, man

Mario

I'd hate to see how their B-52 bomber turns out... maybe it'll grow twice as large!

If they get flower-fuel, then it can launch fireballs at it's target!

'Wild West' internet needs a sheriff

Neither the Theory or Reality is suitable

The problem is, the internet was built with this exact intent in-mind - to stop any form of disruption by having so many vast networks and routes that it couldn't be destroyed or stopped. If all out Nuclear warfare can leave it intact (satelites in orbit), then I doubt even Britain's beaucrats have a chance of seizing it up.

Not that the idea is either smart or fair either. They're planning to get the least internet savvy people (aside from politicians themselves) to 'protect' and police the internet of the entire world, despite them not honestly having either a clue or a responsibility (despite their claims to the contrary) on doing so. If I am a business, I have to police the internet. What stops me from doing a bad job, if any? Why should I pay (as the company) for the mistakes of others?

Even if this was a good, well-thought of (how unlikely) plan, I wouldn't support it, even if it deals with crime. If they figure out how to restrict crime, then they'll have a method to restrict other things (say, freedom of speech) or use it to generate financial income (which is always tempting to a government), which defeats the purpose of the Internet. This deals a crippling blow to everyone who uses it, as it means the Internet is no longer safe from red tape and freedom to do practically (I still don't support crime mind) anything with it.

I'll hold up my hands, I used my old PC without firewall when I first got broadband, but that was because I was unfamilar with the Internet as a whole (obviously). I was under the mistaken assumption my computer was safe as is. I didn't figure at the time additional software had to be added to make up for the pitfalls of Microsoft. Had I been told when I started what I learnt over the years of using it, I would have scrambled for the nearest firewall software and anti-virus software kit.

I now, as an old-hand of the Internet (on a relatively new PC), sit behind a modifible dual-firewall (you heard right) system with active anti-virus software and, failing those peices of kit, have several backups of off-line lower-key security kits standing by. Even since then Microsoft has improved, but I still don't trust their incredibly shoddy software.

What we should do...

1) E-mail filters need to be better designed. If the E-mail companies want, I can tinker with their code and make it better (for free).

2) An E-Code system should be set-up, where in-order to sent attachments, the sender has to have your E-Code. This code can always be changed, although to ensure there are no mix-ups, the first section of the code will be based on your E-mail address.

3) Better security supplied by Microsoft, or at least, free security software supplied with PCs. Don't mind which so long as they do the job.

4) All ISPs to supply an training manual that informs and warns the user of the dangers of the Internet and how to stay safe. Preferably with instructions on how to obtain free security software.