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Here are some dire predictions for 2004.

While it would be easy to say that the world will end, I think these are all things that reasonably >>could happen, and we could act

-----Original Message----- From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu] On Behalf Of batz Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 6:25 AM To: nanog@merit.edu Subject: 2004 network predictions. pre-emptively to mitigate their effects.

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- ISP's use managed anti-virus/security to sell new managed services to users. Birth of the fully provider managed home PC?

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I wanted to point out that this one is already happening. AOL is working hard on this '9.0 Optimized' with some ancillary teen-market driven service, and is marketing itself as a service that can magically fix your pc without you having to do anything (see TV spot of troubled parents watching toddler bang on mouse with sound hammer, then 'Computer Fixed' prompt appears on screen). Granted, they're capitalizing on what I like to call 'Market Stupidity' and positioning themselves to become the truly idiot-proof provider, but it may actually work. While im hesitant to leave such a large proportion of End-User security in the hands of AOL, it IS a start. It's not ideal, but this might be the first step in the direction of 'enforced measures' to help mitigate malware that works on the basic assumption that nobody patches their machines... Note: I don't completely agree with this approach, but its getting to the point where something has to be done.