Do you think the US is taking a step in the right direction?

I know that I'm all for whatever laws are implemented to get rid of spyware but do wonder how alexa, Microsoft, and all the anti-virus programs will function if it were to be a world wide, legally enforcable law. I do believe in "good spyware" as it's information goes into keeping your computer healthy but I also believe that spyware should be regulated as well.

Thoughts?

Actually Duke, it's 7 days old, but anyway...

Since they passed the BS CAN SPAM Act, I'm a little skeptical of anything the government does do interfere with e-commerce. They have this little problem of putting a blanket over everyone, so only the roaches can crawl out. ;o)

Originally Posted by Paul_KY

Actually Duke, it's 7 days old, but anyway...

Since they passed the BS CAN SPAM Act, I'm a little skeptical of anything the government does do interfere with e-commerce. They have this little problem of putting a blanket over everyone, so only the roaches can crawl out. ;o)

OK, I did say over 3 days old so 7 qualifies

I understand what you're saying but I think there needs to be some sort of regulation online. It really seems like the net is becoming one big free-for-all and the people benefiting are the ones who usually do things just this side of legal with virtually no ethics attached.

I know that my browsing habits have been affected by the continual problems that spyware causes and I wouldn't be suprised to hear others are feel similar. Don't you feel some sort of regulation is necessary, maybe not this method, but something?

I guess the other question is how do you effectively police the internet?

"I guess the other question is how do you effectively police the internet?"

Define, "effective".

Effective policing would be sending an incorrect version of dos to a malicious users computer and frying his motherboard. Maybe not IP logging, but computer logging so if you try and screw with other peoples hardware, software, websites, etc., you get the boot from your ISP and blackmarked somehow.

I don't really know Paul, all I know is that as the internet grows, the bad element grows with it.

The bad guy would simply switch IPs. How would that, "police" anything?

Sure switching IP's would help, but what if there was a way to detect the malicious code as it was being broadcast or uploaded before a user could disconnect? What if there were a little chip in there somewhere that broadcast the physical location of the computer regardless of online/offline status?

Use your imagination a bit here Paul, is it really that inconceivable?

You'd be getting into privacy issues there. And yes, criminals a protected by the laws also.