[LINK] NZ Passes Liability for Insecurity to Consumers

[Rick Welykochy]

Roger Clarke wrote:

> [NZ's slack-and-idle regulator has permitted NZ banks to impose 
> increased liabilities on consumers for ePayments that go wrong.
> 
> [The consumer movement in Australia is fighting hard to make sure that 
> the Australian banks don't get away with such nonsense, as ASIC reviews 
> our Code here.

Um ... why does Microsoft get away with such nonsense?

Shouldn't their operating system products be clearly labelled as
follows?

   CONSUMER ALERT

   This computer operating system is inherently insecure on the
   Internet when installed on a PC without additional security
   software, firewalls, virus and wormer protection, ad- and spyware
   eradictors and vital software upgrades from Microsoft.

   If you operate the PC you have purchased with this operating
   as-is you are solely responsible for all activities and
   transactions you initiate on this computer. Microsoft is not
   responsible for data theft, identity theft, data corruption
   ETC ETC ETC...

Recall that the disclaimer on Windows/NT clearly stated that that
operating system was not to be used in situations where lives could
be at stake if the software failed, including applications in
aviation, defense, medicine, etc.etc.

I doubt Microsoft could loosen this disclaimer one iota, even with
Windows Vista.

I did some googling for "Microsoft Windows Disclaimer" and similar
to see if I could dig up the current wording. No such luck. Many
irrelevant hits. If any Linkers have the text of their disclaimer
for Win/XP or Vista, please post it to me.



> Online fraud targeted
> Patrick Gray
> July 3, 2007
> Next Section of SMH and Age
> http://www.smh.com.au/news/security/online-fraud-targeted/2007/07/02/1183351124220.html 
> 
> 
> Companies at the frontline of the fight against computer-enabled fraud 
> are trying new ways to curb this growing threat.
> 
> Banks in New Zealand may no longer automatically reimburse victims of 
> internet banking fraud if their computers are found to be insecure and 
> eBay has revealed it sent fraud investigators and computer equipment to 
> Romanian law enforcement agencies in an attempt to curb the country's 
> high fraud rate.
> 
> Until now, banks have reimbursed the victims of internet banking fraud. 
> However, under New Zealand's new banking code of practice, which came 
> into effect on Sunday, financial institutions will reserve the right to 
> conduct a forensic analysis of fraud victims' computers. If the system 
> lacks operating system updates and security software, they may deny 
> reimbursement claims.


Perhaps it is high time that consumers and business externalise this kind
of liability and the costs attached to it. To whom? Microsoft, of course.


cheers
rickw


-- 
_________________________________
Rick Welykochy || Praxis Services

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking
about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.
      -- George W Bush, Washington DC, 20040805 (http://www.dubyaspeak.com/)