SWITCH takes tougher action in the battle against Internet crime

With immediate effect SWITCH will be blocking Internet addresses that are misused for phishing, or which disseminate malware, and removing them from the network, thus taking tougher action in the battle against Internet crime.

SWITCH operates a Computer Emergency Response Team (SWITCH-CERT), which not only protects Swiss universities, but Switzerland's Internet presence in general, from attacks from cyberspace. "Our team of experts has been collaborating with leading financial service providers, the government and specialists from around the world for years", said Dr Serge Droz, director of SWITCH-CERT. "We do everything possible to protect Swiss Internet addresses from abuse."

When alerted by the authorities, SWITCH-CERT immediately blocks Internet addresses that could be misused for phishing or disseminating malware. The Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) has approved the MELANI Reporting and Analysis Centre for Information Assurance, which is authorised to request that SWITCH block addresses. The foundations for these measures lie in the Swiss Ordinance on Addressing Resources in the Telecommunications Sector (Verordnung über die Adressierungselemente im Fernmeldebereich – AEFV).

About SWITCH
SWITCH has established itself as a not-for-profit organisation and Internet pioneer in Switzerland. As the Internet service provider to the Swiss universities and general public, SWITCH develops innovative solutions, thereby simplifying life in Switzerland in the digital age.