UK Government launches virus alert battleplan

ITsafe was unveiled today (Thursday) and will send text or email alerts about new internet threats to users who sign up for the service. They will also be given advice on how to combat such attacks.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said there was a need for clear and simple advice to non-technical people to help protect themselves.

"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," she said.

The ITsafe service will be provided by a team of specialists based at the National Infrastructure Security Coordination Centre (NISCC). They will examine the hundreds of alerts issued by computer security firms and identify those which pose the greatest threat to general users. They expect to issue around six to ten alerts a year.

www.itsafe.gov.uk
www.niscc.gov.uk