UK launches virus alert site

Thursday, 24 February 2005 12:00 AM

The Government has launched a new computing site designed to alert home PC users to internet security issues.

The free service - IT Safe - is designed to provide users with simple, effective advice on protecting their computers or internet-primed mobile phones.

In addition, home or business users can sign up to a free virus alert service and receive alerts about important security issues either by email or text message.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said there was a "clear need" for straightforward, independent advice, free of unwieldy jargon.

"The purpose of this new Government service is to ensure computer users are aware of the risks involved and how to deal with them easily and effectively without causing alarm.

"Every day more and more viruses make their way on to the internet and into people's home computers, arriving with little or no warning with the potential to corrupt, wipe out or steal valuable data.

"Defending yourself against this type of threat is where ITsafe comes in. Signing up to this service will give users an extra level of defence in two key ways: by providing general advice on IT security, and issuing official alerts if and when it is felt there is a serious enough threat from a particular virus or other form of threat."

Official statistics suggest that more than half of all households own a home computer, with about 13 million of those able to access the net.

Although the Government does not intend to disseminate software patches or updates from the site, it will advise on the best place to download patches from security firms.

The new initiative uses information provided by the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC), the Government's centre for electronic defence.

NISCC director Roger Cumming said: "In our work we deal with threats to the Critical National Infrastructure - those computer systems that affect every aspect of our lives, from the banking system to the health service.

"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."

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