Visser Labs

Shit, I’d be grinning too after the exposure Tom Wood received for releasing a work-around for the all inspiring NetAlart Internet content filter! Big pat on the back also must goes out to the contractors responsible for taking on the DCITA sponsored project for leaving the package so vulnerable to exploits. More details covered by News.com.au.

I’m not usually one to kick up a storm on government spending, frankly I dodge the topic, but the spending of over $11.7 million on an internet awareness program for schools is a joke! I would be surprised to find even 10% of those teachers co-ordinating this campaign to more knowledgeable on general Internet behaviour than 90% of the students that regularly interact on MySpace, Facebook, flickr, YouTube and other online social communities.

What’s got my goat is the lack of communication between those at risk and those fastening the chains. Where was the public forum, submission of ideas from informed experts and views from the target audience; children. Internet filters will always be at risk of exploitation, visit your local primary school, then high school and university, putting locks on young people is exactly the wrong tactic to employ as those that do take on the challenge of circumventing software are likely to build on their skills and wham you’ve got Bruce Willis kicking ass in Die Hard 4.0 all over again!