I despise viruses as much as the next computer-dependent teen. But I disagree with Sharon Altaras’ call to regulate the creation of viruses.
“People who create viruses and then publish them online, should be held responsible for the ensuing mayhem that results, even if someone else unleashed the monster,” she wrote in an earlier blog.
This sounds like a nice, tidy call for action. By punishing the creators of viruses, users should have less trouble, right?
Wrong. Practical enforcement of a new virus regulation policy would violate the privacy of programming hobbyists. I can imagine government agents searching computers for virus programs; along the way, they might stumble upon-–gasp!-–downloaded music. Or a downloaded game, movie or book. What started as a search for a virus program could turn into a full-blown violation of privacy.
Or, government inspectors might potentially confiscate a perfectly innocent game that a programmer is creating, mistaking it for a virus and taking away hours of precious, painstaking work.
Viruses should be fought against, but not through direct government regulation. Instead, we should use improved anti-virus programs, and work to quickly detect and inform users of new viruses.
Respond to this posting
Back to top