UK Government Provides Free Virus Alerts

Most computer users receive their news about newly released viruses from virus protection companies or through e-mails forwarded by well meaning friends. In some cases, the information is provided by mainstream media outlets. Now, in an effort to reach more people with the warnings, governments are stepping into the picture. Recently, the British government launched a web site intended to alert the public about viruses and to provide relevant security information. The web site http://www.itsafe.gov.uk> was launched on February 23, 2005, and provides free security advice as well as virus and threat alerts. The government-funded service uses information provided by the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) the Government's centre for electronic defence. It aims to reassure users by advising them on how best to protect their personal and business data. In addition to being able to view alerts on the site, users are offered the option of signing up for e-mail and audible alert services that warn when a user may be at the most serious risk. In an effort to be inclusive and user-friendly, the web site includes features such as a plain English glossary to help users understand technical terms that may be outside their scope of experience or their daily lexicon. Although ready to go, users of the site have yet to receive an e-mail warning, since no alerts have been identified since the launch of the website. Summary by: Sue Diaz