I was referring to the danger to one's computer from people who might get into computers without such programs as zone alarm. I'm not saying that users should be server admins, or that they should know all the tricks of security -- only that they should be aware that they need to get both antivirus software and a program like Zone Alarm to protect against such infiltration.
That much can be told to people -- in fact, it would be a great idea for the companies that offer broadband to package the deal with some kind of antivirus software and with, say, Zone Alarm, for a small extra fee. Don't even make them have to go and download it. Have it be part of their install. This would even make them some extra money and it would make people aware that they NEED this stuff.
And I think that people would be grateful that the companies are showing them that little extra customer service. It might even bring them extra business. But pretending that buying a direct Internet connection that's always on in your home is the same as buying a television is just plain wrong. The television connection is one way, but the Internet connection is two-way, and users should be aware of that.
Judith
> At 13:14 8/18/2004 -0400, you wrote:
> > > Poor judgement on the internet isn't life threatening.
> >
> >Not in this context... there are people who give out too much personal
> >info to the wrong people and end up in life-threatening situations as
> >a result... not necessarily the fault of the internet per-se, but the
> >net ends up being the medium that facilitates it.
>
> Hmm. Good point. I did read that someone once actually went to South
> Africa to hand them money. The scam went a bit too far and they kidnapped
> the victim for ransom money. But at the same token, it's not unreasonable
> to assume that at least 1 or 2 kids die every year from a fatal pencil
> injury. Pencil license anyone?
>
> I'm ah wholly against the idea of an Internet license. There is nothing
> that states that you have to be competent to use a computer. More over if
> it is a de-centralized medium like the Internet, this is the only way the
> government can really control the content. There is probably someone with
> very little computer knowledge producing some kind of underground
> newsletter on counter-culture effects of Punk Rock in LA. And while his
> lack of computer skills may or may not be contributing to the proliferation
> of a virus, his work does add more to the knowledge/garbage pool of
> information.
>
> I'm against the government having another way to track you and police
> us. I'm also against a lot of things that creates or pronounces classism......
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