[LINK] itNews re the iCode and Botnet Countermeasures

[Roger Clarke]

[Ignore the misleading headline.]

IIA softens approach on botnets
James Hutchinson
Apr 4, 2012 6:30 AM (2 hours ago)
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/295918,iia-softens-approach-on-botnets.aspx

As code gains international acceptance.

The architects of an industry code that saw Australian internet 
service providers commit to crack down on botnets have signalled a 
softening in their approach to internet security.

The Internet Industry Association is set to review its 
self-regulatory 'icode' for the first time since publication in order 
to identify and potentially rectify weak spots in the framework.

The code, which seeks to reduce the spread of malware through 
Australian networks and local computers, provides for service 
providers to inform affected users and, ultimately, quarantine or 
throttle the speed of internet services connecting affected users.

It was aimed at preventing "zombie" computers on Australian networks 
from sending user information to others without the subscriber's 
knowledge or being used in a larger network of infected computers to 
attack other networks globally.

First enacted in December 2010, it has since attracted voluntary 
participation from 30 service providers covering some 90 percent of 
Australian internet subscribers

But amid international recognition of the code by the Organisation 
for Economic Cooperation and Development, and increasing interest 
from governments globally, the code has received some criticism from 
those who believe it did not do enough to cut down on locally spread 
malware.

Telstra, which implements the code despite withdrawing its membership 
and financial support from the IIA last year, criticised the body's 
continuing reliance on a voluntary mechanism, which it said provided 
"no incentive for smaller ISPs to comply as compared to registered 
codes".

The code's ability to reach beyond the 90 percent of Australian 
subscribers it currently claims has also been hampered by a notable 
lack of participation from Australia's fourth largest ISP, TPG.

Observers in the US, where a similar code has been registered with 
the federal communications body, have pointed to the lack of metrics 
involved in the Australian code.

Internode carrier relations manager and IIA director John Lindsay 
told iTnews the review would provide the opportunity to "learn as 
much as we can from the service providers using it, about how they've 
implemented it and how we can make it better".

"There's always a possibility of parts we got wrong or things we can 
do better," he said.

The review would seek to establish any "current Internet safety 
challenges" the icode should meet in its second revision, while 
potentially feeding into cybersecurity work currently being 
undertaken by the Federal Government.

But Lindsay ruled out the possibility of registering the code with 
the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which would make 
the code compulsory for internet service providers in future.

"[The IIA] is keen to keep the icode voluntary since it's in the best 
interests of service providers to comply with the icode," he said.

Educating users

Focus on the "walled garden" approach to quarantining affected users 
also appears to have tapered off, with the IIA now suggesting ISPs 
promote use of online tools and potential home visits to walk users 
through removal of viruses and potential issues.

Internode, which has spent more than $1 million on email anti-spam 
and anti-virus firewalls as part of its participation with the code, 
escalates an average of 800 threats among its user base per month.

Those Internode customers deemed to be a source of potential botnet 
attacks or posing a threat are contacted by support staff to walk 
them through any steps necessary to remove offending viruses or 
removing necessary threats.

Corporate networks had also been involved in escalations, with 
Internode developing the subtlety required not to offend those IT 
managers who believed their security was impenetrable.

Lindsay said he was not aware of Internode or other ISPs blocking 
access as the current version of the code suggests.

"In general the approach that Internode has taken is one of harm 
minimisation and making contact with customers," he said.

"We haven't, that I'm aware of, blocked anyone's internet access as it were."

Former Internet Association chief executive Peter Coroneos reported 
some ISPs escalating up to 18,000 threats per month as part of the 
framework but said lack of reporting on the matter had not helped the 
code's case.

Though the code review could introduce key performance indicators for 
its future success, Lindsay said the body had already succeeded in 
"ensuring the executives in service providers have a real 
appreciation that this is actually a problem that we need to address".

He maintained that ISPs that did not implement the code and its 
forthcoming revision voluntarily were "reckless" and urged the 
industry to "address it now and save money later".

Coroneos, the code's key promoter during 2010 while CEO, left the 
organisation last year to promote similar versions of the framework 
to other countries.

One version of the framework was adopted last week by service 
providers in the US but it, too, had focused on educating users 
rather than disconnecting them.

The IIA has since ditched efforts to finding a replacement for Coroneos.


-- 
Roger Clarke                                 http://www.rogerclarke.com/
			            
Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
                    Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                http://www.xamax.com.au/

Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law               University of NSW
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University