NEWS A virus alert and IT security advice website for home PC users and small businesses has been launched by the government.
The free site, called ITsafe, will provide information on the latest virus threats as well as advice on safe internet surfing, email use and protecting personal and business data.
The site is funded by the Home Office and will use data from the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC), which is responsible for monitoring threats to the UK's critical national infrastructure.
Users will receive email or text alerts about new virus and security threats once they have signed up to the service.
The Home Office said the alerts will outline the damage potential of any new threats along with instructions of any actions the user needs to take to update the security of their PC.
Home Office minister Hazel Blears said the site will provide jargon-free and easy-to-understand advice for non-technically minded PC users.
Roger Cumming, director of NISCC, said in a statement: "ITsafe will take our technical expertise and use it to help home users understand the risks and keep their computer systems, mobile phones and a range of related consumer electronic items, safe."
Comments
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1. anonymous
I cannot beleive this story. HMG is now providing Microsoft's support desk?
Who's paying for this site? Microsoft?
Or the taxpayer?
I know who SHOULD be paying for it.
And, why no mention of Linux or Mac OSX, neither or which are vulnerable to this nonsense in the first place?
2. anonymous
Better to get it into a soap plotline.
Cost less, people would take more notice.
"Openin' email attachments is Bang aht of awda ! Right my son ?"
3. Totty
I like the soap Idea, that combined with an advert during the football would reach a very high percentage of the population.
But the message should be how to avoid the threats (using: Linux, BSD, AV, firewalls, ie security settings, preview pane etc) not giving out a list of the latest ones.
4. anonymous
Totty
You have forgotten the most sensible solution of all.
Change to a Macintosh.
5. Richard
I hope hackers are chivalrous!
According to the site’s “disclaimer” the ITSafe site will only work UK office hours.
I do hope that hackers will now be chivalrous and agree to stop working evenings, weekends, Bank Holidays – or in different time zones!
ps. My anti-virus supplier already provides 24 x 7 support, worldwide.