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Our dependence on the internet grows daily. Today we learn that Mac computers, popular partly because they have been targeted by malicious software lessthan PCs, have become victim to a fake security scam. This on the same day that SONY, attempting to recover from their recent internet debacle, has had to withdraw a newly-launched site to allow users to reset their passwords.

It seems the internet is getting more, not less, vulnerable, and that means that we are, too. The advance of cloud computing as now configured appears to do little to reduce the potential incidence of hacking.

So much business, government, information and communication now depends on the net that it seems we need a new approach to its security. Proliferating malicious software, repeated invasion of privacy and high risk to our personal security are good reasons to ask what defenses are being developed to make us safe. It is, after all, a Government’s first duty to protect its citizens. This area of protection seems to be woefully lagging behind the enemy.

Recently I have experimented by alerting companies, including banks, whose logos, styles and systems have been copied extremely effectively to create scams, to attempts to elicit sensitive information. The response has, on the whole, been disappointing. A statement along the lines of “Follow the rules and you’ll probably be OK” is scant comfort when you are already assiduously doing exactly that.

It cannot be beyond the wit of man to protect the internet from attack. I am nottechnical enough to know how it can be done. I do know that if a medical alert as seriousas the internet alert was published resources would quickly be marshaled to maximize protection from the looming threat. Who is marshalling those resources as far as the internet is concerned? Where is the equivalent of the World Health Organisation for internet users?

We need a World Internet Negotiator if we are to WIN the battle against hackers. What is the United Nations doing about that?

It is time we all asked for better protection.