Fedral law to require anti-virus software.

[GrandAdmiral]

Could Antivirus Apps Become Law?

It has come to my attention that the leaders of the free world may find it acceptable to determine what software is mandatory on our computers. More specifically to make it law to have anti-virus software on every computer in the country. Sounds great. Everyone should have anti-virus software, and everyone should drive 4X4s in the snow too but should we force them to? I'll put whatever I want on my computer so long as its not kiddy porn. Conveniently Symantec(Norton Anti-Virus) reps were at the congressional comitee to support the issue. Other ideas such as making software vendors write less buggy code were also considered. What do you think? Should we force everyone to buy the newest expansion packs for their games while were at it?

 

[anarchywrksbest]

I'm not buying Conquests in protest at its price tag.

 

[Laughing Gull]

unfortunately, if such a law passed, instantly you would have 75 million morons suddenly needing more computer help.


Me: "click your start menu"

User: "......mmm.........."

Me: "click. the. start. menu."

User: "........uhhhhhh....st-start menu...? what do you mean?!"

 

[Kinniken]

And I suppose Linux or Mac users like me will be required to have one as well? I would not install Norton if it was free (read: hog resources and generally slow things down for no reasons).
Introducing laws making Software vendors partly responsible for any virus/trojan working via a security hole in one of their product would make more sense...

 

[Perfection]

That's a just plain stupid idea, uttery rediculous

 

[Shadylookin]

scrape that law, just make the penalty for virus creation a trip to the firing squad

 

[Comraddict]

Anitivirus = virus
doing nothing, just taking up resources.

 

[Sims2789]

i say no to madatory anti-virus software. despite it's good intent, the feds could use it to filter non-viruses such as porn, or the words "Bush sucks."

 

[bobgote]

Originally posted by Kinniken
Introducing laws making Software vendors partly responsible for any virus/trojan working via a security hole in one of their product would make more sense...

The answer, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[Jeratain]

It's a ridiculous idea if you ask me.

 

[muppet]

I think it's a great idea.

Since M$ created the problem, M$ should pay for it !

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by muppet
Since M$ created the problem, M$ should pay for it !

I really hate stupid remarks like that.

You don't like Microsoft? Don't use it! Don't give me that lame excuse that you don't have options. You don't like the fact that Bill Gates is rich? Then don't give him money. You have options. Give your money to Apple instead. Or better yet don't spend any money and go download Redhat, Mandrake, Debian, or one of the many distrobutions of Linux. Buy Suse if you like it. Go learn UNIX and use it. Otherwise don't complain.

Microsoft releases an operating system for consumer use that is by far one of the most stable Operating systems ever. Some nerds on the internet decide that they want to screw with people who use Microsoft because they are stupid so they create (sometimes ingenius) viruses that will exploit vulnerabilities in the Operating System. Microsoft's team finds these vulnerabilities (usually before viruses affect them) and releases patches. Microsoft tries to make their software idiot-proof by including automatic updates, but people pay no attention. People go and download porn and music and movies and go to websites they shouldn't be looking at in the first place without even realizing how vulnerable they are.

I can only put 10% of the blame on Microsoft. The other 90% goes to the people who use the software without having a clue what they are doing. Microsoft would have 0 blame if they would put a disclaimer that reads: "Idiots beware." on the box.

The many exploits that are found in Microsoft software exist in other operating systems as well. You think OS X or any Linux distro is perfect from a fresh install? HAH! The issue is that hackers and nerds choose to target Microsoft systems because so many people use them.

If you don't like Microsoft, don't use it. Otherwise don't complain.

 

[Archer 007]

Interesting idea for a law, even if it a bit crazy

 

[amadeus]

"Government Gone Wild!"

 

[GrandAdmiral]

Originally posted by muppet
I think it's a great idea.

Since M$ created the problem, M$ should pay for it !

I'm pretty sure every platform is vulnerable to viruses it just makes sense to write them for the most common one which happens to be MS.

 

[Speedo]

ANY computer can be vulnerable to viruses (virii?) or hacking. MS gets the blame because the great majority of computers which are left open to attack by the user are running Windows. I don't like MS, and their software has more holes than swiss cheese, but blaming them for the whole problem is stupid.

On topic: It won't happen unless the govt plans to provide antivirus software to everyone with a comp. No way that'll happen.

 

[Aphex_Twin]

The bill would be just as ridiculous as one to force you to buy a lock for your house

 

[thestonesfan]

Originally posted by Aphex_Twin
The bill would be just as ridiculous as one to force you to buy a lock for your house

Or one that required you to wear a seatbelt.

Will this kind of garbage ever end?? How can people be expected to be responsible for their own lives when half of their decisions are made before they are born?!?

 

[Kinniken]

Originally posted by Jeratain
The many exploits that are found in Microsoft software exist in other operating systems as well. You think OS X or any Linux distro is perfect from a fresh install? HAH! The issue is that hackers and nerds choose to target Microsoft systems because so many people use them.

Only half-true. While linux or OS X are far less targeted than Windows, they are also a lot more secure - they do not include, for exemple, an email client happy to execute script code in an email by default. I'm not claiming that the security is perfect, especially with a default install, but it lacks the "gaping holes" of many Microsoft softwares.
Mac OS X also asks you to type your password before doing any changes to the system (even simple changes the the system preferences). It's annoying 99% of the time, but it also means that contrarily to Windows, any executable wanting to infect the system will have to ask you your password to do so. While there are probably way around that, it kills the "brain-dead" exploits favored by script kiddies.
An other interesting comparison is in the vulnerabilities of web servers. Apache, despite being the dominant web server, has fallen prey to far less vulnerabilities than Microsoft's IIS.

 

[IceBlaZe]

Good idea.
Just like you aren't allowed to have a not properly secured vehicle, you shouldn't be allowed to have a not properly secured computer if it is connected to the internet.

The internet is like the highway of data, and the only data that should be allowed to drive on that highway is data which is not harmful.

But...
If antivirus measures become mandatory, the government should enact special "regulations" that ALL antivirus software need to pass. Regulations concerning effectiveness, price and ease of use.

Every computer connected to the internet has responsibility for the data it contains.