The Australian Government has now got Microsoft onside to support its multimillion dollar online security Netalert campaign around Australia.

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan said, “Properly setting up and monitoring the administrator function on home computers is essential to making effective use of internet content filters and to maintaining computer security more generally. Giving children and young people access to the computer’s administrator function is like giving them the keys to the family car.”

Microsoft has estimated that while nine out of ten households are using Windows operating systems on a regular basis, a lot of families are not aware of various administrator functions.

Chief Security Advisor for Microsoft Australia, Peter Watson said, “The administrator control in a computer’s operating system enables a parent to be the boss of the home computer. By setting up children as standard users parents can significantly reduce the potential for their children to unwittingly view or download viruses, trojans and other computer nasties on the home computer.”

Microsoft will be supporting the government’s NetAlert – Protecting Australian Families Online initiative by providing a link from their website to www.netalert.gov.au and even promote online safety education through its more than 200 community technology learning centres around Australia.

“Parents need help to protect their families, their computers and themselves from those who use information technology for negative purposes. The Government and Microsoft want Australian parents and families to experience the benefits of computer technology and feel safe when on-line,” Senator Coonan added.

See: www.netalert.gov.au