Microsoft: A tax to fight cybercrime

Taxes are always a dirty word, but Microsoft's security chief is suggesting that a tax may be what is needed to raise the money to fight cybercrime. Scott Charney, microsoft corporate VP for Trustworthy Computing said that the technology industry needs to think about more "social solutions" in dealing with winning the fight against hackers.

He spoke Tuesday at the RSA security conference in San Francisco. Among his suggestions: An Internet usage tax to help hold companies accountable and more vigilant in stopping malware from running on their computers.

"Maybe markets will make it work," Charney said. But an Internet usage tax might be the way to go. "You could say it's a public safety issue and do it with general taxation," he said.

Taxes are never a popular idea, and there will be plenty of pushback if Congress ever decides to try to enact one.

For more about a new Internet tax:
- see this Computer World article

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