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London (pte027/24.02.2005/12:30) - The British government has launched a rapid alerting service that tells home computer users about serious internet security problems. As the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk reports, IT Safe will issue warnings about damaging viruses, software vulnerabilities and weaknesses on devices such as mobile phones. Alerts tell people how the threats affect them and what they can do to avoid trouble and protect themselves. The service will be free and those who sign up can get e-mail or text alerts.
The scheme is aimed at home users and small businesses, and will issue security alerts about six to 10 times a year, based on previous experience of virus outbreaks, the government estimates. "There is a clear need for easy-to-understand and simple independent advice for non-technically minded people who use computers either at home or at work," said home office minister Hazel Blears. "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 harm," she added.
Users that sign up will only be told about the most serious security threats that have the potential to affect millions of people. Full-time staff are being employed to comb through the many hundreds of alerts issued each year by computer security firms to spot which ones have the potential to catch out a large number of people. Between the alerts, the service will occasionally send messages giving people advice about safe ways to use their computers and phones. "IT Safe 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," said Roger Cumming, director of the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) http://www.niscc.gov.uk .
According to the NISCC, which is running the service, those signing up would still need to use anti-virus software, firewalls and software updates to stay secure. Warnings about security problems will tell people what the problem is, how it affects them and what they can do to avoid trouble. Alerts will not be issued unless users can do something to protect themselves against the threat. This could include downloading an update from an anti-virus vendor or updating software to close loopholes and fix vulnerabilities. However, no software patches or programs will actually be dispensed through the site. The alerts will tell people how to go about getting hold of patches from security companies. According to the NISCC spokesman, the site and alerting service will stay in existence as long as there are security bugs on home computers and other gadgets.
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