Computer users battling computer viruses, spam and fraud have a new tool in their armoury after the launch today of a one-stop e-security portal by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston.

Developed by the Internet Industry Association, the IIA Security Portal at www.security.iia.net.au will help home internet users and small businesses to understand and respond to e-security threats and access information and advice on issues such as spam, viruses and fraud.

The Portal provides an invaluable resource for Australians to learn more about e-security, so that they are not deterred from internet use by security concerns, and contains detailed information on possible technical solutions and good security policies to assist internet users to enjoy a more secure and productive online experience.

The Government supported the Portal as part of its drive to help small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) get online and engage more in e-business, which includes forthcoming legislation to outlaw the menace of unsolicited spam e-mail.

The Portal will link with existing networks and knowledge databases to bring together the best available information about Internet security issues and solutions to:

-Increase awareness by SMEs and domestic users of security issues;
-Enable SMEs and domestic users to adopt Internet security management strategies;
-Provide links to appropriate products and services;
-Expand the technical knowledge of SME and domestic users, and
-Increase the confidence of all users that e-commerce and e-banking will not result in security being compromised.


The Australian Government, through the National Office for the Information Economy, provided the IIA with around $200,000 under the Small Business Assistance Package to assist in the Portal's development and maintenance.

The portal complements a recent government project, the e-businessguide which provides easy to understand information for SMEs on starting a profitable and secure online presence. The portal builds on the e-businessguide by providing a greater range of specific information on security through utilising Australian and international resources and links directly to the e-business guide website.

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