German government plans to fund Microsoft malware bailout

“With the economic crisis still being in full effect, Germany wants to throw government money at another industry giant. However, this time it is not an ailing car manufacturer, but the software producer Microsoft. The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) plans to team up with internet service providers (ISPs) to establish a call center helping malware-troubled Windows users,” Hendrik Weimer reports for Quantenblog.

“The project was announced today at the German IT summit in Stuttgart. Starting in 2010, ISPs will track down customers with infected PCs, e.g., by looking for communication with botnet controllers. These customers will then be directed to a special website offering advice on removing the malware. If this is unsuccessful (or the site is blocked by the malware), people will get access to a call center, where a staff of about 40 will try to fix the problem,” Weimer reports.

“SPIEGEL ONLINE reports that the BSI refused to disclose the costs for the project, citing procurement regulations,” Weimer reports.

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Not unbelievable, unfortunately.

It is not the function of our government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error. — Robert Houghwout Jackson

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action. — George Washington

The nine most dangerous words in the English language are “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” — Ronald Reagan

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Mark P.” and “NixoN” for the heads up.]