ISPA launches iCode to fight malware
The Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) has announced that its iCode will come into effect on 1 May 2013.
The iCode is a voluntary code of practice designed to make it safer for South Africans to work and play online.
This is achieved by encouraging Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to educate their customers while monitoring their networks to identify customers whose machines are possibly infected with malware.
Having notified the customer of possible infection, the ISP would then help direct its customer to resources which would assist in disinfecting the affected machine.
“The Internet has become an essential part of society and a vital platform for business. As an industry body we are constantly working for ways to improve the experience of end-users,” said Marc Furman, co-chair of ISPA.
“As such we recognise that we have a duty to help our clients mitigate the risks inherent in using the Internet.”
ISPs who have adopted the iCode will display a trust mark on their websites and other communication materials.
Mark Furman
Furman noted that many ISPs already follow several of the practices stipulated in the iCode.
He said that there is benefit in adhering to a common standard insofar as computer and Internet security is concerned to make it easier for consumers to understand the levels of service they can expect from ISPs in this regard.
In terms of the iCode, ISPs will have to undertake prescribed activities related to education, detection, action and reporting of malware.
As the iCode becomes better known, ISPA expects that compliance will act as a differentiator for service providers and should also help to reduce customer calls to service desks.
By improving awareness of suspicious activity on their networks, the iCode will also position service providers to respond to threats much more rapidly.
ISPs compliant with the iCode include: Afrihost, Connection Telecom, Cybersmart, eNetworks, Imagine IPS, Internet Solutions, Neology, Jireh Technologies, MWEB and Workonline Communications.
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