Can the Feds Fight Viruses?

The U.S. federal government will join a gaggle of antivirus companies and public-private groups in warning citizens about virus outbreaks such as the recent Mydoom e-mail worm and other online threats, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS unveiled a new National Cyber Alert System, which will use e-mail warnings and bulletins to provide U.S. citizens and others with timely information on warnings about virus outbreaks, online scams, computer software vulnerabilities, and advice on computer security best practices, the agency says.

The alerts will come in two forms: one for computer security experts and the technical community, and one for nontechnical computer and Internet users. Individuals can sign up to receive the alert by visiting the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team site atUS-CERT.gov, says Amit Yoran, director of the National Cyber Security Division within the DHS.

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