A new internet?

Is it time to reinvent the net? With increasing concerns about security threats and criminal activity on the present internet set-up, people are suggesting starting up a new internet. According to an article in The New York Times (Do we need a new internet?) there are many who advocate a new, more secure internet though the price we pay for the increased security will be reduced anonymity. The idea is to create a kind of "gated community" where your anonymity and certain freedoms are traded for safety from fraudsters and viruses. Evidently the criminal activity on the net today is a major threat to the security of governments, companies and individuals and a major security attack is a question of "when" not "if".

Of course many of us share the vision of the net as a democratic force allowing us to share knowledge, experience and ideas but sadly the openness and creative freedom of the net is being exploited by criminal elements. According to the article we may be left with choosing between the safe but monitored net and the open and free net where you wander at your own risk.