Vint Cerf's Internet Safety: Page 2 of 2

On the one hand, Cerf suggests we want to be protected from spam and viruses while we are interacting on the Internet, and filtering mechanisms are not as effective as we would like. He suggests that via strong authentication, we can be protected from spam or viruses because we can choose to accept email and files from only those people or services that we can authenticate and trust.

At the same time, we also want to identify those that are abusing the Internet and services so that spammers and those distributing malware can be stopped. Where there isn't a technical solution available to stop the bad behavior, we need some other mechanism, such as international treaties and legal agreements, to govern behavior in a way that is agreeable to all nations, including notions of due process and protections of human rights.

Many of the ideas that Cerf and others at the conference put forward are issues that are can be addressed in technical, social and geo-political arenas. Given the members that attended the event--including representatives from the United Nations, law firms, start-ups, vendors and carriers--it's clear that discussions are taking place that may impact the future of the Internet.

Cerf wrapped up with, "We say that the Internet is for everyone, but it isn't yet. We say that it should be for everyone, and I say it must be for everyone. And I hope it will be for everyone."