Don't forget to check out www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** ICANN's 33rd International Meeting Arrives In Cairo http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-03nov08-en.htm ICANN meeting to focus on new top-level domains [IDG] http://www.computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/11/04/icann-meeting-focus-new-top-level-domains ICANN meeting: Egyptian host demands independence for network administration http://www.heise-online.co.uk/networks/ICANN-meeting-Egyptian-host-demands-independence-for-network-administration--/news/111873 ICANN touts WHOIS compliance rules, but not for registrars http://thestandard.com/news/2008/11/03/icann-touts-whois-compliance-rules-not-registrars New Domain Names Put Name Brands in a Bind http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122583938093998683.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122583938093998683.html?mod=googlenews_wsj .hamburg joins the list of possible new gTLDs http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=6410 us: Board urges full funding of cybersecurity initiative http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081105_9301.php Google Walks Away From Yahoo Ad Partnership http://nytimes.com/2008/11/06/technology/internet/06google.html ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Internet governance winning ground The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Tunis, Tunisia, in November 2005 recommended the establishment of National Internet Governance Forums in all ITU Member States. As a follow-up to the WSIS pronouncements, the global forum for multi-stakeholders? policy dialogue organized the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) which was held in Athens, Greece, in November 2006. http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/features/?id=8237 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN's 33rd International Meeting Arrives In Cairo Further progress towards the implementation of new gTLDs and the global expansion of the domain name system is expected this week, as ICANN opens its 33rd International meeting in Cairo. Over 1,000 delegates from around the world have gathered for the meeting, which is being opened by Dr. Tarek Mohamed Kamel, Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-03nov08-en.htm ICANN meeting to focus on new top-level domains [IDG] ICANN kicked off its week-long 33rd International Public Meeting in Cairo on Sunday to discuss implementing new gTLDs and the globally expanding the domain name system. http://www.computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/11/04/icann-meeting-focus-new-top-level-domains http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/110408-icann-meeting-to-focus-on.html http://itworld.com/internet/57226/cann-meeting-focus-new-top-level-domains http://cio.com/article/459271/ICANN_Meeting_to_Focus_on_New_Top_Level_Domains http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/504C200F81E96720CC2574F80064E5BD ICANN meeting: Egyptian host demands independence for network administration At the start of the 33rd meeting of ICANN in Cairo, Tarek Kamel, Egypt's Minister for Communications and Information Technology, has called for ICANN to become an independent organization. Referring to the imminent expiry of ICANN's contract with the US Government next September, he said he expected ICANN to become a genuinely-independent, transparent and stable organization. Kamel is considered to be an important advocate of ICANN in the Arab world. http://www.heise-online.co.uk/networks/ICANN-meeting-Egyptian-host-demands-independence-for-network-administration--/news/111873 ICANN touts WHOIS compliance rules, but not for registrars Last Friday, ICANN listed six steps being taken to ensure that the provisions of the RAA with regard to WHOIS information are followed correctly. And in nearly every article we have published here at The Industry Standard about ICANN policy, we are reminded that the public can recommend changes to the RAA, which is currently undergoing revision. http://thestandard.com/news/2008/11/03/icann-touts-whois-compliance-rules-not-registrars ICANN's 33rd International Meeting Arrives In Cairo Further progress towards the implementation of new gTLDs and the global expansion of the domain name system is expected this week, as ICANN opens its 33rd International meeting in Cairo. Over 1,000 delegates from around the world have gathered for the meeting, which is being opened by Dr. Tarek Mohamed Kamel, Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology. http://www.turk.internet.com/haber/yazigoster.php3?yaziid=22306 New Domain Names Put Name Brands in a Bind Worried about having to shell out millions of dollars to protect their brands, several major companies are protesting the launch of a slew of new TLDs -- the suffixes like ".com" that appear at the end of Web-site names. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122583938093998683.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122583938093998683.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Wall Street Journal Covers New Top Level Domains Wall Street Journal writes about trademark issues for major corporations. http://domainnamewire.com/2008/11/05/wall-street-journal-covers-new-top-level-domains/ Japanese govt to allow domain names ending with '.nippon' [sub req'd] The Japan Registry Service currently oversees registration of domain names that use .jp as the country code suffix. http://telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=237033 Companies fear for their brand names Thousands of major companies are worried about having to splash out millions of pounds in order to protect their brands as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers prepares to start selling the rights to an unlimited number of TLDs next year. http://www.utalkmarketing.com/pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=12266 UAE to offer new domain name The UAE is looking to offer a non-English domain name by Q3 2009, offering an Arabic alternative. According to the Domain Administration of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority this will mark the first time that a complete non-English domain name will be available. http://www.ameinfo.com/174210.html Internet expansion: the new .brand gTLD The anticipated new registration scheme allowing companies to apply to register their own gTLD?s will see a huge change in the way in which the internet is structured. http://www.shoosmiths.co.uk/news/1661.asp France flexes its tech muscle with pending bill, new policies The French seem to be all over all kinds of new, far-reaching digital policy. ... Other proposals include: ... a migration away from the American-dominated ICANN toward a more multilateral and international organization to run the infrastructure of the Internet. http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2008/11/03/french_tech/ ... Crime Doesn't Pay The domain registrar EstDomains.com Inc. lost its license to process new domain names, after its chief executive was convicted of credit card fraud, document forgery, and other crimes. http://americanbanker.com/security-watch.html?issuedate=20081105 EstDomains' defrocking delayed by ICANN ICANN terminated on Tuesday its contract with Estonia-based EstDomains, blocking the company's ability to offer Internet registration services, but temporarily stayed the judgment the following day to assess the firm's response to the accusations against it. http://www.securityfocus.com/brief/847 Will New TLDs Usher in Domain Name Fraud? ICANN recently announced that they will soon begin sanctioning new TLDs ... (current TLDs include .com, .net., .us, and so on) for just about any reason. You might expect company-specific ones like .apple, geographic ones like .montana, or industry-specific ones like .bank. http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch/2008/11/get_ready_for_a_tidal_wave_of.php http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2333962,00.asp ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Single and 2-letter names for .BIZ Neustar, the .BIZ registry, has asked ICANN for permission to release single and 2-letter names which are currently reserved and cannot be registered. Country-code 2-letter names would not be released. http://domainesinfo.fr/english/232/single-and-2-letter-names-for-biz.php .hamburg joins the list of possible new gTLDs Another candidate for a gTLD has joined the list of possible new gTLDs with dotHAMBURG throwing their hat into the ring for the gTLD .hamburg when ICANN invites applications for new gTLDs. http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=6410 http://www.domainpulse.com/2008/11/05/hamburg-joins-the-list-of-possible-new-gtlds/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/.hamburg-joins-the-list-of-possible-new-gtlds.html Brand owners to pay out again in .tel domain land grab Brand owners are being encouraged to process registrations for a new domain a full month before it opens for business. Companies will be able to register names at the .tel domain on 3rd December but registrars are encouraging companies to act now. http://out-law.com/page-9561 Online universal address book to be launched A new universally accessible address book, such as that used on Facebook, will be embedded into the core of the internet, in another example of the changing structures of the web being discussed this week in Cairo. http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081103/BUSINESS/907487281/-1/ART NetNames urges companies to register .tel domain NetNames is accepting applications for .tel from its clients, ahead of the new domain's initial launch on December 3. http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/859746/NetNames-urges-companies-register-tel-domain/ .tel Domain "Sunrise" Approaching Less than a month away from the "sunrise" period launch of the unique .tel TLD, domain name registrars are preparing for its December 3 launch when trademark owners will be able to launch a .tel Internet site. http://www.thewhir.com/marketwatch/110408_tel_Domain_Sunrise_Approaching.cfm tel: Internet to host address book Talks are underway for the internet to host a new domain name .tel which would serve as an online secure contact directory. The TLD would hold contact details for individuals and businesses rather than a number of different sites like the .com name. http://www.ameinfo.com/174169.html voipGATE Supports .tel Top Level Domain voipGATE has announced the support of the newly created TLD .tel one month before its launch. As a result of the cooperation with Telnic, the .tel domain names Registry, the upcoming version of voipGATE?s softphones will integrate all the .tel Directory services and functionalities. http://voipservices.tmcnet.com/feature/articles/44527-voipgate-supports-tel-top-level-doma.htm New .tel Top Level Domain Names Are Open to Registration Soon; Trademark Holders Should Consider Defensive Registrations Trademark holders will soon be given an opportunity to register their business contact information when the new .tel TLD sunset registration period begins in December. The new .tel TLD has been said to provide a secure method for registrants to share contact information with others, such as Twitter accounts, Facebook accounts, business addresses and phone numbers, and LinkedIn accounts, even when a business changes its location or contact information. The .tel domain, it has been said, provides a stable single location for information about a business, and the service allows registrants to share as much or as little of their information as wanted. http://tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2008/11/new-tel-top-lev.html New .tel domain goes up for grabs Domain name management specialist NetNames is accepting applications for .tel from its customers, ahead of the new domain?s initial launch on 3rd December. http://www.netimperative.com/news/2008/november/3rd/new-.tel-domain-goes-up-for-grabs Holder of Uganda domain registration open to talks [IDG] Charles Musisi, the man who owns the registration for Uganda's TLD name, .ug, has said for the first time that he is open to discussions on the management of the country code. http://www.computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/11/05/holder-uganda-domain-registration-open-talks http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/110508-holder-of-uganda-domain-registration.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** us: Board urges full funding of cybersecurity initiative The nation's information infrastructure remains vulnerable to cyberattack and the incoming Obama administration must take immediate steps to improve cybersecurity, the Defense Science Board warned in a report released on Tuesday. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081105_9301.php ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Meg Whitman fights for Web sites carrying her name Meg Whitman, the former CEO of eBay, hasn't said whether she will run for governor of California in 2010. But the woman who guided the growth of one of the Internet's biggest success stories has run into an early online stumbling block: A cybersquatter has snatched up a series of potentially valuable domains such as whitmanforgovernor.com, meg2010.com and whitman2010.com. http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/1368156.html http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/37727 Obama website for sale before Election Day Obamaforpresident.com was registered as a website in 2004 before Barack Obama made his speech to the DNC convention. The owners are anonymous, adding to mysteries of the 2004 election. http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=16626 http://speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=134&id=16626 GoDaddy Gets Stolen Domain Name Back to Owner It?s every web site owner?s worst nightmare: having a domain name stolen and the thief holding it for ransom. That?s what recently happened to MakeUseOf.com, a popular blog about web applications and software. http://domainnamewire.com/2008/11/04/godaddy-gets-stolen-domain-name-back-to-owner/ Typosquatting and Trademark Infringement Disputes The administrative panel at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center has rendered several decisions in which they assessed the legality of ?typosquatting.? The panel has concluded that in cases where (1) the disputed domain names included close misspellings of famous trademarks, (2) where the registrants of such domain names did not have a legitimate interest in registering these domain names, and (3) where they registered and used these domain names in bad faith, the registration was infringing and the domain name had to be transferred to the original trademark owners. http://www.ibls.com/internet_law_news_portal_view.aspx?s=articles&id=5533F6E6-4E09-4919-8840-C9BAB7DE6932 ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Nation scrambles to buy history Looking for a keepsake of Barack Obama's historic presidential victory? You may be out of luck. ... On eBay, popular culture expert Karen Bard reported the demand for pricey and affordable Obama mementos was high. Over the past 30 days, Miss Bard said, there have been 32,904 Obama listings. Among the most expensive: a listing for the Internet domain name -- hisexcellencybarackobama.com -- for a "Buy It Now" price of $299,000, as well as a first-edition signed copy of Mr. Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope," for sale at $9,800. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/06/nation-scrambles-to-buy-history/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Google Walks Away From Yahoo Ad Partnership Google, the Internet company, said Wednesday that it had decided to walk away from an advertising partnership with Yahoo to avoid a legal battle with federal antitrust regulators who had notified the companies that they were planning to file a lawsuit to block the agreement. http://nytimes.com/2008/11/06/technology/internet/06google.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/11/05/technology/google.php Google abandons deal with Yahoo Google announces it is ending its plan for an advertising partnership with Yahoo to avoid a battle with regulators. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7711429.stm Google Ditches Yahoo! Jerry Yang, Yahoo!'s embattled chief executive, absorbed another body blow on Wednesday when Google announced it was pulling out of its advertising pact with the Web portal. In a statement, Google said it would have been too difficult to convince regulators that such a deal would not give the companies too much power in the online ad market. http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/11/05/yahoo-google-deal-tech-enter-cx_wt_1105yahoo.html Google Drops Out Of Advertising Deal With Yahoo Google pulled out of its proposed advertising partnership with Yahoo today as it became apparent the deal would face a drawn-out antitrust challenge from the U.S. Justice Department. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/05/AR2008110503560.html Yahoo and Google Offer to Revise Ad Partnership Google and Yahoo have offered to significantly narrow the scope of a planned advertising partnership in a last-minute effort to win the approval of the Justice Department, which is scrutinizing the deal for its effect on competition, a person briefed on the revised plan said on Monday. http://nytimes.com/2008/11/04/technology/internet/04google.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/11/04/technology/04google.php Perfect pitch scores a deal for B.C. firm Small Vancouver-based website developer Live Current bests global media giants, convinces India's billionaire cricket czar to sell Web rights to Indian Premier League ... Mr. Hampson had one major ace: His company owned the domain cricket.com, which it intended to develop into a global portal. He and his staff had picked it as the next URL likely to develop into a "destination hub," meaning an e-commerce portal with the potential to draw a large, passionate audience. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081104.caseIndex1104/BNStory/breakthrough GoDaddy Tests Parking Pages on 404 Pages GoDaddy tries monetizing error pages with parked pages, but will discontinue practice. http://domainnamewire.com/2008/11/04/godaddy-tests-parking-pages-on-404-pages/ Sedo Completes Sale of All-In.com for $40,000 Domain name aftermarket completes sale of domain name to Canadian man. http://domainnamewire.com/2008/11/04/sedo-completes-sale-of-all-incom-for-40000/ Completed Live Auction Sales Dominate This Week's Domain Sales Chart Another big wave of completed live auction sales from the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. New York conference dominates this week's domain sales chart. To make room for all of those sales we expanded our usual Top 20 chart to 30 positions this week. Moniker.com alone piled up 13 chart entries from their live sale. Aftermarket.com and RickLatona.com also notched multiple chart entries from their live auctions at the conference. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2008/domainsales11-11-08.htm Sedo to Host First Ever Numeric Domain Auction Sedo has announced plans to host the inaugural numeric domain auction from November 27 at 1pm until December 4 at 1pm EST. http://www.domainnamenews.com/domain-auction/sedo-to-host-first-ever-numeric-domain-auction/3084 Calls to identify typosquatters [sub req'd] Google should use its own search engine technology to identify typosquatters and cut off their advertising income, a US lawyer says. http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20081105083949214 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Consumers worldwide getting a better deal on broadband [news release] The latest analysis from Point Topic on average tariffs and packages on offer for broadband worldwide gives a general story of increasing speed and decreasing prices. Over the quarter there is some variation, but if you look at 2008 as a whole consumers are getting more bandwidth for their money. http://point-topic.com/content/dslanalysis/BBATariffq308.htm Worldwide broadband prices continue to drop [IDG] Broadband subscribers all over the world are getting more for their money. The cost for cable, fiber and DSL (digital subscriber line) subscriptions are all dropping, and at the same time speeds are increasing, according to market research company Point Topic. http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;390255299 http://pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;390255299 http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/153330/worldwide_broadband_prices_continue_to_drop.html Global broadband prices down 20 percent in 2008 [AP] Prices for residential high-speed Internet service are down 20 percent globally from the start of the year, according to a British research firm. http://news.smh.com.au/technology/global-broadband-prices-down-20-percent-in-2008-20081106-5iu8.html http://news.theage.com.au/technology/global-broadband-prices-down-20-percent-in-2008-20081106-5iu8.html Surfing violent websites linked to violent behavior Young people exposed to violent media are more likely to lash out violently themselves, new research published in Pediatrics shows. http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKTRE4A38H320081105 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKTRE4A38H320081105 U.S. News & World Report To Shift Operations to Web U.S. News & World Report is getting out of the newsmagazine business and going all digital. The financially struggling magazine, which cut back to biweekly publication earlier this year, now plans to reinvent itself on the Web. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/04/AR2008110402206.html Google caught up in row over gay marriage vote Google has become embroiled in a row about gay marriage, after opponents of same-sex unions in California used the search engine's advertising network to post messages on popular websites against the owner's wishes. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5082577.ece Google Walks Away From Yahoo Ad Partnership Google, the Internet company, said Wednesday that it had decided to walk away from an advertising partnership with Yahoo to avoid a legal battle with federal antitrust regulators who had notified the companies that they were planning to file a lawsuit to block the agreement. http://nytimes.com/2008/11/06/technology/internet/06google.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/11/05/technology/google.php Google abandons deal with Yahoo Google announces it is ending its plan for an advertising partnership with Yahoo to avoid a battle with regulators. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7711429.stm Google Ditches Yahoo! Jerry Yang, Yahoo!'s embattled chief executive, absorbed another body blow on Wednesday when Google announced it was pulling out of its advertising pact with the Web portal. In a statement, Google said it would have been too difficult to convince regulators that such a deal would not give the companies too much power in the online ad market. http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/11/05/yahoo-google-deal-tech-enter-cx_wt_1105yahoo.html Google Drops Out Of Advertising Deal With Yahoo Google pulled out of its proposed advertising partnership with Yahoo today as it became apparent the deal would face a drawn-out antitrust challenge from the U.S. Justice Department. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/05/AR2008110503560.html Yahoo and Google Offer to Revise Ad Partnership Google and Yahoo have offered to significantly narrow the scope of a planned advertising partnership in a last-minute effort to win the approval of the Justice Department, which is scrutinizing the deal for its effect on competition, a person briefed on the revised plan said on Monday. http://nytimes.com/2008/11/04/technology/internet/04google.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/11/04/technology/04google.php ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook membership surges to 120 million users Social-networking giant Facebook got a notch bigger in the last three months, growing its active membership total from 90 million in early July to 120 million now, said Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, speaking at Saleforce.com's Dreamforce conference here. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10081341-2.html http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/internet/0,39044908,62047943,00.htm ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** 'Miniscule' radiation danger from wireless gadgets, says study [AAP] An Australian study has found that wireless devices like keyboards, mice and PDAs emit less radiation that many believe. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10541490 New Report Claims Video Game Violence, Aggression Link Just when you thought it was safe to play video games again, a new report out in the journal Pediatrics claims to cinch a link between violent video games and increased hostility in young children and teenagers. It's authors aren't wasting any time making the media rounds, either. Speaking to The Washington Post this morning, the report's lead author Craig Anderson, an aggression researcher who teaches psychology at Iowa State University and runs its Center for the Study of Violence, said: "We now have conclusive evidence that playing video games has harmful effects on children and adolescents." http://www.pcworld.com/article/153204/new_report_claims_video_game_violence_aggression_link.html Violent video games linked to aggression in children Children who play violent video games demonstrate a high level of physical aggression for months afterwards, according to new research. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/3376397/Violent-video-games-linked-to-aggression-in-children.html Study Links Violent Video Games, Hostility Children and teenagers who play violent video games show increased physical aggression months afterward, according to new research that adds another layer of evidence to the continuing debate over the video-game habits of the youngest generation. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/02/AR2008110202392.html Violence in Games: A Conversation with Christopher Ferguson, Part One I don't know much that'd pass scholarly muster when it comes to violent games and children, but since it's pretty much the hot button in video gaming these days, I'm constantly looking for people who do. http://www.pcworld.com/article/153278/violence_in_games_a_conversation_with_christopher_ferguson_part_one.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/04/AR2008110402450.html Violence in Games: A Conversation with Christopher Ferguson, Part Two This is part two of my interview with Texas A&M International University psychology professor Christopher Ferguson, who has challenged a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics claiming a link between video game violence and increased aggression in children and adolescents. The primary author of the article claims "We now have conclusive evidence that playing video games has harmful effects on children and adolescents." Ferguson says that claim is erroneous, because the research is based on "weak results" and draws "misleading conclusions." http://www.pcworld.com/article/153358/violence_in_games_a_conversation_with_christopher_ferguson_part_two.html Games 'to outsell' music, video UK sales of games will outstrip music and video for the first time in 2008, says a report from Verdict Research. A huge shift in consumer attitudes has turned video games into the UK's most popular form of entertainment, say the retail analysts. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7709298.stm Early reports say the pre-beta Windows 7 is looking good Journalists who went to Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference picked up pre-beta copies of Windows 7, and several have reported on it. Bear in mind that this preview version isn't feature complete, doesn't have the final interface, and still contains a load of debugging code, so you can't judge the performance. However, since Windows 7 is likely to ship on more than 200 million computers a year from 2010 onwards, even incomplete information is interesting. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2008/nov/02/windows7-beta-previews ********************** SPAM ********************** More Aussie spammers caught under ACMA?s iron fist The Ad Company has copped a formal warning from the Australian Communications and Media Authority for alleged breaches of the Spam Act. http://itnews.com.au/News/NewsStory.aspx?story=88358 ACMA issues formal warning for alleged breaches of the Spam Act 2003 [news release] The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued a formal warning to The Ad Company Pty Ltd for alleged breaches of the Spam Act 2003 as a result of sending commercial electronic messages by e-mail without the consent of the recipient. It is also alleged that a quantity of the messages did not have an unsubscribe link or information on how to unsubscribe within the messages. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311491 Hackers tap in to Obamamania Hackers seeking to exploit the global interest in Barack Obama?s sweeping election victory have bought their way to the top of the Google results page. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5091651.ece 'Obama Trojan' Rides Coattails of President-Elect Barack Obama's victory in yesterday's U.S. presidential election is turning out to be bad news for hundreds of thousands of users whose computers are being infected by malware that bears his name. http://www.darkreading.com/security/attacks/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212000783 Spammers Latch on to Obama Victory President-elect Barack Obama's campaign leveraged social networking all the way to victory in last night's election. But Obama's online presence has attracted some problems, too. http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3783161 Beware of Obama spam President-elect Barack Obama has prompted another landslide ? this time in spam instead of votes. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/110508-obama-spam.html Malware Piggybacks on Obama Win Cyber criminals are blasting out massive amounts of spam touting a video of President-elect Barack Obama's victory speech. Recipients who click the included link are taken to a site that prompts visitors to install an Adobe Flash Player update. The bogus update, however, is actually a data-stealing Trojan horse. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2008/11/malware_piggybacks_on_obama_wi.html?nav=rss_blog Obama-themed malware on the rise Within hours of settling the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday, spam seen worldwide began incorporating the name and image of Barack Obama, according to various security vendors. The U.K.'s Sophos reported 60 percent of all spam seen by the lab on Wednesday was in some way Obama related. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10083070-83.html Hackers leverage Obama win for massive malware campaign Hackers have seized on the results of the U.S. presidential election to launch a major malware campaign that tries to trick users into installing an update to Adobe Systems Inc.'s Flash, but actually plants a Trojan horse on unprotected PCs, security experts warned today. http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9119219 http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1480568776 http://pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1480568776 Analysts Warn of Phishing Scams Following Bank Collapse [IDG] Customers trying to claim deposits from a collapsed Icelandic bank could be at a higher risk over the next few weeks of falling victim to phishing scams, according to security analysts. http://www.pcworld.com/article/153331/.html http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/11/05/Analysts_warn_of_phishing_scams_following_bank_collapse-IDGNS_1.html http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9119159 ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** us: Board urges full funding of cybersecurity initiative The nation's information infrastructure remains vulnerable to cyberattack and the incoming Obama administration must take immediate steps to improve cybersecurity, the Defense Science Board warned in a report released on Tuesday. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081105_9301.php Virtual Worlds Riskier in Financial Crisis Crime against virtual communities could thrive in the economic downturn as the cyber underground looks for other ways to make money, experts say. http://www.darkreading.com/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212000748 uk: Count page views, not site visits, when suing for internet libel Courts cannot assume that online material has been read without some evidence in libel cases, a court has ruled. The court cannot simply infer from statistics on website visits that certain people have read a particular article, it said. http://out-law.com/page-9556 us: Partnering for Cyberspace Security In two recent speeches that have attracted little notice, Donald Kerr, principal deputy director of national intelligence, has called for a radical new relationship between government and the private sector to counter what he called the "malicious activity in cyberspace [that] is a growing threat to everyone." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/02/AR2008110202204.html Three ways Internet crime has changed [CSO] Gone are the days when most hackers were looking for fame with a splashy, large-scale attack on a network that made headlines. Today's cybercriminals are quietly taking over vulnerable web sites as part of an elaborate process in the underground economy. http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9118882 http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/153217/three_ways_internet_crime_has_changed.html On Security, Microsoft Reports Progress and Alarm Microsoft plans to report on Monday that the security of its Windows operating system has significantly improved, while at the same time the threat of computer viruses, frauds and other online scourges has become much more serious. http://nytimes.com/2008/11/03/technology/companies/03security.html Microsoft fingers Apple and Real for Vista insecurities Microsoft has made its operating systems more secure with XP SP2/3 and Vista, so cybercriminals have shifted their attack to third-party applications -- 90% of newly reported vulnerabilities involve applications, and only 10% affect operating systems. And yes, you can scan for them.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack/2008/nov/03/windows-security Volume of cyber security threats on the rise, warns Microsoft The volume of threats in the online world is increasing and the distribution of these threats continues to evolve, Microsoft has warned in its Security Intelligence Report on the first half of 2008. http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/11725/cio/volume-of-cyber-security-threats-on-the-rise-warns-microsoft Japan clamps down on suicide sites as number of gassings soar Police in Japan have launched a crackdown on internet suicide sites after the number of people gassing themselves with household chemicals rose almost 30 times in one year. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/3370290/Japan-clamps-down-on-suicide-sites-as-number-of-gassings-soar.html Russian scammers cash in on pop-up menace Cyber criminals are earning up to $US150,000 a week selling fake anti-virus software to naive internet users, confidential documents obtained by a US security researcher reveal. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/04/1225560814202.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/11/04/1225560814202.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4750842a28.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** UK government black boxes will 'collect every email' Internet "black boxes" will be used to collect every email and web visit in the UK under the Government's plans for a giant "big brother" database, The Independent has learnt. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/government-black-boxes-will-collect-every-email-992268.html http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10541292 Google's browser labelled a 'digital Trojan horse' Perhaps the biggest threat to Google's increasing dominance of internet search and advertising is the rising fear, justified or not, that Google's broadening reach is giving it unchecked power. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/11/04/1225560792969.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/04/1225560792969.html http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10541050 Google's growth makes privacy advocates wary [AP] Perhaps the biggest threat to Google Inc.'s increasing dominance of Internet search and advertising is the rising fear, justified or not, that Google's broadening reach is giving it unchecked power. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/03/AR2008110300956.html http://news.smh.com.au/technology/googles-growth-makes-privacy-advocates-wary-20081104-5h4g.html http://news.theage.com.au/technology/googles-growth-makes-privacy-advocates-wary-20081104-5h4g.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Apple response on Norwegian iTunes case fails to impress [IDG] Apple has responded to the Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman's plan to bring an iTunes case before the country's Market Council, but Apple's answer hasn't impressed the official. He now expects the case to go before the council in March or April next year. http://pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1962672976 http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1962672976 MySpace seals with Viacom to allow video clip sharing Internet users who upload video pirated from the television may no longer find the clips being taken down or find themselves in trouble. Instead they may become an important part in helping broadcasters make money from the web. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/myspace-seals-with-viacom-to-allow-video-clip-sharing-989830.html MySpace and MTV try to profit from piracy Software that lets broadcasters place advertising on video clips uploaded by other people will be tested this month by MySpace and MTV Networks. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5074961.ece MySpace ad deal lets members use copyright video [AP] Instead of trying to take down all copyright-protected videos that its members post, MySpace will let certain clips stay - and give the creators of the original content a cut of the revenue from advertising that will be attached to the snippets. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10541034 http://news.smh.com.au/technology/myspace-ad-deal-lets-members-use-copyright-video-20081103-5gqo.html http://news.theage.com.au/technology/myspace-ad-deal-lets-members-use-copyright-video-20081103-5gqo.html 'Auditude' gives MySpace a way to welcome pirated videos [AFP] MySpace and Auditude have rolled out an innovative solution to the problem of people posting pirated television show snippets on the Internet. http://news.smh.com.au/technology/auditude-gives-myspace-a-way-to-welcome-pirated-videos-20081103-5gqp.html http://news.theage.com.au/technology/auditude-gives-myspace-a-way-to-welcome-pirated-videos-20081103-5gqp.html French pirates face net cut-off French plans to throw persistent pirates off the net have got closer to becoming law. The French Senate voted overwhelmingly in favour of the law, which aims to tackle ongoing piracy of music, movies, and games online. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7706014.stm uk: Computer games to out-sell music and video For years they have been the preserve of spotty teenage boys sitting in darkened rooms, but computer games will this year out-sell music and video in the United Kingdom for the first time, according to a report released today. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article5085685.ece ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** The dangers of Internet censorship Suppose that government regulators proposed to read all postal mail in order to protect families from things they should not see. Anything not legally prohibited would be delivered. Any unlawful words, pictures, or videos would be thrown away. Sound like Orwell's "1984," or China? Perhaps. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/11/05/the_dangers_of_internet_censorship/ ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ SImPLE tool developed to help fight child porn Technology that has been likened to a "random breath test" for computers and laptops for illicit images or video has captured the interest of law enforcement bodies nationally, including the Australian Federal Police. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24597325-15306,00.html No Great Firewall seen for New Zealand-No plan to follow Australia into compulsory filtering of internet connections by ISPs The New Zealand government has no current plan to follow Australia into compulsory filtering of internet connections by ISPs, says ICT minister David Cunliffe. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/D0F77DC452FD06C7CC2574F60008C250 Online filtering recognises families' concerns by Anh Nguyen, researcher, Australian Family Association There has been much backlash against the Government (and Stephen Conroy, the Communications Minister) for their attempt at making the internet safer for Australians. There has been much necessary talk of technological difficulties and also a large amount of discussion regarding censorship. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/04/2409508.htm au: Top 5 reasons to fight government ISP filtering As trials continue ahead of the introduction of mandatory ISP filtering sometime early in 2009, it's becoming clearer that the entire scheme is an ill-thought-out attempt for left-wing Labor to suck up to right-wing politicians. Here's six reasons why the concept is stupid and hopefully doomed to failure. http://apcmag.com/top_5_reasons_to_fight_government_isp_filtering.htm au: Say goodbye to online porn Online pornography will be caught in the Rudd Government?s compulsory ?blacklist? internet filter, the Australian Media and Communications Authority has confirmed. http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2008/11/05/say-goodbye-to-online-porn/2561 Is the internet going down down under? The battle is now on for the soul of the Australian internet. The outcome could have enormous repercussions for the future of the internet in the UK. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/05/aussie_internet/ Swedish banks urged to team up against child pornography The Swedish government and banks unveiled plans Monday to cooperate in freezing payments to criminal organizations engaged in child pornography. http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1440671.php/Swedish_banks_urged_to_team_up_against_child_pornography_ ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** nz: Six political parties respond to InternetNZ questionnaire so far [news release] Internet New Zealand (InternetNZ) welcomes the response of six political parties to its 2008 General Election Questionnaire, and encourages the remaining parties contending the Election to complete and file theirs. http://www.internetnz.net.nz/media/2008/six-political-parties-respond-to-internetnz-questionnaire-so-far French internet law clashes with EU position The French Senate has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a law that would cut off access to the internet to web surfers who repeatedly download copyrighted music, films or video games without paying. http://euobserver.com/871/27026 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** NZ Nats promise $150m for school broadband National leader John Key has promised to spend at least $150 million over the next three years to gear schools up for the arrival of ultra-fast fibre broadband. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/connect/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501833&objectid=10541262 UK?s ?29bn broadband conundrum - Fibre-optic is needed for the ultimate internet but who will pay for it? With ankle-deep water and sludge, London?s sewer network is every bit as foul as visitors might expect. Only the smell is less severe because most waste flows away at 20mph to the sewage works at Beckton, east London, passing under the 2012 Olympic games site at Stratford on the way. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article5061788.ece F.C.C. Agrees to Open Radio Spectrum Over the objections of television broadcasters and other groups, federal regulators set aside a disputed slice of radio spectrum for public use on Tuesday, hoping it would lead to low-cost, high-speed Internet access and new wireless devices. http://nytimes.com/2008/11/05/technology/internet/05spectrum.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/11/04/technology/05spectrum.php Airwaves Battle Pits Dolly Parton Against Google Tuesday marks the end of a battle that has lasted for more than two years, with each side predicting apocalyptic consequences should it lose. Not the fight for the presidency ? the one pitting Google against Dolly Parton. http://nytimes.com/2008/11/04/technology/internet/04wireless.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/11/04/technology/04wireless.php ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** au: UK-style mobile checks ruled out Personal details of pre-paid SIM card buyers won't be stored in a national database. However, identity checks conducted by pre-paid mobile providers face closer scrutiny. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24597327-15306,00.html http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24597327-15306,00.html India to allocate 3G spectrum by end-Jan - govt India will allocate spectrum for next generation wireless networks to successful bidders by the end of January after holding an auction as planned earlier in the month, government officials said on Monday. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-36312520081104 http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-36312520081104 Mobile WiMax May Not Make Corporate Connections Can mobile WiMax work for business users who are looking for high-speed wireless Internet access? Sprint Nextel Corp. and financial backers that include Intel Corp. and Google Inc. think it can. "We're definitely targeting businesses," said Barry West, president of Sprint's Xohm unit, which launched its namesake network in Baltimore in late September and plans to expand the WiMax offering to five more cities by early next year. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/153218/mobile_wimax_may_not_make_corporate_connections.html FCC approves two major telecom mergers The Federal Communications Commission approved two landmark telecom mergers this week, paving the way both for a nationwide WiMAX network and a new wireless carrier with more than 80 million customers. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/110508-fcc-telecom-mergers.html FCC Gives Nod to Major Wireless Mergers The Federal Communications Commission gave its blessing to two large wireless deals Wednesday. The larger of the two is Verizon Communications' $28.1 billion buyout of Alltel; Verizon will pay $5.9 billion and assume $22.2 billion of Alltel's debt. The other deal is the $14.5 billion merger between wireless operator Sprint Nextel and broadband wireless Internet provider Clearwire, the brainchild of wireless mogul Craig McCaw. The FCC's approvals clear the way for shareholders to finalize both deals. http://ecommercetimes.com/story/65059.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2008 --------- David Goldstein address: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA email: Goldstein_David §yahoo.com.au phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (home) "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery Find your perfect match today at the new Yahoo!7 Dating. Get Started http://au.dating.yahoo.com/?cid=53151&pid=1012Received on Wed Nov 05 2008 - 19:46:22 UTC
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