Should ISPs Cut Off Bot-infected Users?

richi writes "There's no doubt that botnets are a major threat to the safety and stability of the internet — not to mention the cleanliness of your inbox. After years of failure to act, could we finally be seeing ISPs waking up to their responsibilities? While ISPs can't prevent users getting infected with bots, they are in a superb position to detect the signs of infection. Contractually, the ISP would be reasonably justified in cutting off a user from the internet, as bot infection would be contrary to the terms of the ISP's acceptable-use policy."

Yes

[Korveck]

Of cour

Re:Yes

[Yvan256]

So what you're saying is that bots are damaging the tubes?

Re:They could do it nicely

[blair1q]

That happens to me every time I visit certain websites.

I get a popup telling me I'm infected and to click "OK" to have my computer scanned.

It's ever so nice of them to do that for me.

Re:Lets ask in different context

[Lanteran]

This is a great thing! Within 3 days of this becoming standard practice, there won't be any windows users with an internet connection!

Re:Virus infection is NOT a given

[Anonymous Coward]

I work at a university helpdesk. A fuckload of the issues I see are caused by people not understanding things. We could could cut down a lot of work if we gave a series of lectures regarding basic computer use over the course of a couple months.

Issues like:
"How to install antivirus"
"How to install windows"
"What is malware"
"OH GAWD! I HAS MALWARE! WHAT DO?"
"Illegal operation does not mean call the police"
"Printing documents for fun and for profit"
"10 ways the internet is different from a dumptruck"