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Lawmaker plans bill to protect computers
(Daily Oklahoman, The (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jan. 13--Computer spyware that tracks users' every keystroke and malicious viruses that cripple operating systems has been targeted for eradication by an Oklahoma legislator.
State Rep. Guy Liebmann on Thursday said he will introduce House Bill 2083 in the next Legislature targeting spyware and what is known as "malware."
The legislation will empower the Oklahoma attorney general, Internet service providers and software companies to file civil lawsuits against entities or individuals that "deceitfully" place unwanted software on the computers owned by Oklahomans.
Spyware is generally downloaded onto a computer without the owner's knowledge and used to track surfing habits, record keystrokes and can even be used to steal passwords and other personal information.
Malware is defined as any program or software that is harmful to the computer operating system.
"My computers that I own are my personal investment," Liebmann said. "When somebody puts something into my computer that they can use to further their life in some way, whether it's money or something else, I don't like it. It can go as far as reading credit card numbers, every keystroke you make.
"It is an invasion of all of our privacies and our own computers. I don't like somebody using my computer for their own benefit."
Liebmann cited FBI statistics that showed that one virus alone in 2004 cost U.S. businesses $635 million in clean-up costs and lost productivity. In 2003, more than $2 billion was spent on anti-virus and e-mail scanning products, he said.
"It's an ongoing problem," he said. "You have Norton Antivirus going and Microsoft firewall, and they are constantly trying to figure out a way to get into your system."
Greg Thomas, manager of state government relations for Symantec Corp., the maker of Norton Antivirus and other computer protection products, called the legislation a "step in the right direction" for Oklahoma.
"Government needs to really focus on this issue and provide its law enforcement officials with the capability to bring suits or bring criminal action against the people who are doing it," Thomas said.
Thomas said any successful effort to thwart spyware and virus authors will be a combination of technology companies and law enforcement officials.
"The government also has a role in that it can aggressively pursue the people who are attempting to gain from these things," he said.
"Government needs to really focus on this issue (spyware) and provide its law enforce- ment officials with the capability to bring suits or bring criminal action against the people who are doing it." Greg Thomas, Symantec Corp.
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