PC Quarantines May Be a Good Idea But…

Bruce Schneier points out—you know he would!—some of his issues with Microsoft’s proposal to quarantine infected computers.  He’s not against the idea in principle. For it to work, though, it has to have a good chance of success.

Schneier’s main concern is that hackers will be motivated to get around the software, initiating another security arms race. Bruce does note that Internet access restrictions would work better if ISPs are the central authorities in deciding who can leave their digital houses.

Of course, as he rightly notes, there would be all kinds of forces, not necessarily benign, who would want their say in this matter.Continue reading