Crime expert backs calls for 'licence to compute'
| Security Research | |
Aug 27, 2009 4:03 PM
Tags: Crime | expert | backs | calls | for | 'license | to | compute
But education should take back seat to product safety.
Australia's leading criminologist thinks online scams have escalated to such a point that first-time users of computers should have to earn a licence to surf the web.
Russel Smith, principal criminologist at the Australian Institute of Criminology said the concept of a "computer drivers licence" should be taken seriously as an option for combating internet-related crime.
"There's been some discussion in Europe about the use of what's called a computer drivers licence - where you have a standard set of skills people should learn before they start using computers," Dr Smith told iTnews.
"At the moment we have drivers licences for cars, and cars are very dangerous machines. Computers are also quite dangerous in the way that they can make people vulnerable to fraud.
"In the future we might want to think about whether it's necessary there be some sort of compulsory education of people before they start using computers," he said.
The Australian Computer Society launched computer driver's licences 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 formalised 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 cyber crime and advised Australia's senior politicians on initiatives in train to fight cybercrime.
He said that education was secondary to better technology solutions.
"I think at the starting point of it you need manufacturers of both hardware and software to devise technology that makes it difficult or impossible for people to be defrauded," Dr Smith said.
"And the main development in that area, I suppose, is the use of biometrics where you have fingerprint scanners or some biometric linked in with the authentication processes on computers".
Dr Smith said that the use of chip and pin credit cards had been a "very effective development" in Europe.
"I think when that happens in Australia we will be much better off," he said.
The banks are "being kind"
Dr Smith also said that Australia's banks were "being kind" when they bore the costs of cyber crime.
"There's a code of conduct for electronic transactions and under that code if people suffer a loss through an electronic transaction and there's no evidence that they've been implicated in anyway, then the banks undertake to compensate that individual," he said. "Some people probably are partially responsible to what happens to them if they've done something very silly or negligent.
"What that really means is that the banks are suffering a loss and eventually that money will be put on the cost of running the banking system. Consumers probably end up paying at the end of the day."
Source: http://www.itnews.com.au/News/154129,crime-expert-backs-calls-for-licence-to-compute.aspx
Hi joy and chick. Good news, Maam Maribel will be delighted to read your comments here. Check your sentences and don't let her down.
ReplyDeleteInstruction: Read and understand carefully the article posted above then answer the ff questions respectively. CONSIDER THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND OTHER ASPECT TO APPRECIATE BETTER THE IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTING THIS. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BACK-UP YOUR ANSWERS WITH FACTUAL DATA AND SOME QUOTATIONS FROM EXPERTS. OBSERVE THE PROPER WAY OF USING OTHER'S IDEA TO AVOID INFRINGEMENT.
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example:
Q1. What do you think is the possible drawback of this in Australia?
A1. This could possibly deter the IT literacy of some Australian, especially those in the rural, since there is a process that should be followed before they could surf the web. This would surely require additional effort for users.. Dr. Blank shares in his website www.blankdoc.org that the tedious process in licensing gives a social discrimination to the access of information, something everbody should have enjoyed and help them improve their learning.....
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Feel free to ask and discuss with me in case you need anything that concerns our subject.
Our book could also be a good reference for this.
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Questions:
Q1. Why is there a need for such licenses?Discuss the importance and necessity of it.
Q2. What do you think is the possible drawback of this in Australia?
Q3. Do you think this should also be applied here in the Philippines even if we are not a first world couunty? Why? Why not?
For Q4-Q5. Read this line from the article:
"I think at the starting point of it you need manufacturers of both hardware and software to devise technology that makes it difficult or impossible for people to be defrauded," Dr Smith said.
"And the main development in that area, I suppose, is the use of biometrics where you have fingerprint scanners or some biometric linked in with the authentication processes on computers".
Q4. What is the point of Dr. Smith telling this?
Q5. What are the possible challenges in achieving Dr. Smith's suggestion if implemented worldwide? Is it possible?
Just a thought, for me, its not really necessary to have that "computer drivers license" before you could use a computer. Since they are talking about online scams maybe it would be better if they would conduct "information dissemination" to the people regarding scams, on what it is all about, how it could be avoided, and the possible risks or reason why there are scams like this and the solutions on how they could prevent scams may it be in there businesses, organizations or in other private agencies.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to that,users in that case will be limited since they require computer license, it would not be very convenient to the people and it will be less accessible.
FOR THE QUESTIONS:
ReplyDeleteQ1. Why is there a need for such licenses?Discuss the importance and necessity of it.
A1. There is a need for such licenses maybe because to avoid online scams. As we can see, scams are all over, and almost anybody can do it, so we (people,government,business orgs. and private organizations) needs security from those illegal actions so we can protect our data, and the information that we have since we consider it confidential, so we should protect and secure its confidentiality.
Q2. What do you think is the possible drawback of this in Australia?
A2. Again, with this program, computers may not be accessible for some people, particularly those Australians who live in not so "techie" environment or places, like those who are in the rural areas. In that sense,maybe some of the Australians would rather prefer not to use computers than undergoing those some what like a tedious process of getting a license.
FOR THE QUESTIONS (CONT.)
ReplyDeleteQ3. Do you think this should also be applied here in the Philippines even if we are not a first world country? Why? Why not?
A3. NO. I think having that kind of computer license is not necessary. Maybe because, I think and I suppose that every company has its own personnel or IT Manager (if that's what you call it) that can take care of such cases, and we don't have to implement that because as what I'm always saying that it is not practical. Even if we can say that the government can provide the necessary funds for that certain project, still its not ( I think for me) an excuse, also, if that will be implemented, computers may be limited in its accessibility, because as what I understand, you can't use a computer if you don't have that " license".
Q4. What is the point of Dr. Smith telling this?
A4. I think Dr. Smith's point there is that to have a successful project you should have first good suppliers of hardware and software to ensure the good output of that certain project,so as to avoid some flaws in the process of using that license.
Q5. What are the possible challenges in achieving Dr. Smith's suggestion if implemented worldwide? Is it possible?
A5. If they have done it in Europe, then now they are planning to do it in Australia, then I think it is possible.
Chik try to review your answers and post a new one if necessary. Q5 ask you not just the possibility but also the challenges. FBU.
ReplyDeleteI have already posted a new case: Tools aid distant students... Start answering the questions in it. FBU.
ReplyDeleteJoy where are you?
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
ReplyDeleteQ1. Why is there a need for such licenses?Discuss the importance and necessity of it.
It is applicable before but when we talk about implementing it today, I don’t think it will benefit the society for the fact that in our generation today, people who has higher task in the economy, in the government and even in big businesses and institutions would have to hold on to computer technology without hassling in to some ‘license to compute’.
Q2. What do you think is the possible drawback of this in Australia?
People would probably be discourage to use the so called technology and would decrease their knowledge about it. And of course the IT literacy, as what you have said that it would deter their field especially to those in the rural areas and would also gives social discrimination as well as poor average.
Q3. Do you think this should also be applied here in the Philippines even if we are not a first world country? Why? Why not?
I would say that this “SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED” here in the Philippines because in facing the reality, Philippines is not of high and standard technology, yes we are rich of natural resources but not technology sources. That is why if the government will push through this license, well 100% our economy, our society as well as the average IQ of the Filipinos will totally decrease.
Q4. What is the point of Dr. Smith telling this?
I think he is pointing out to the main technology which is the Biometrics, if the manufacturers of both hardware and software are not knowledgeable enough to make such technology; nevertheless there is the possibility still for people to be defrauded.
Q5. What are the possible challenges in achieving Dr. Smith's suggestion if implemented worldwide? Is it possible?
Yes, everything is possible but the challenge is that, many transactions will be made, many laws will be implemented, dilemmas will appear, hindrances will block it, higher courts will have to make many decision, rally’s will exist and lives will be in trouble. We will see the few improvements for combating internet-related crime but little by little we will then see the huge damage not just towards our country but unto our lives.