[DNS] domain name news - 4 August

From: David Goldstein <david§goldsteinreport.com> Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2011 15:27:39 +1000 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:11 UTC

Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news.

And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings.

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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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New Ombudsman at ICANN by Chris LaHatte
http://blog.icann.org/2011/08/new-ombudsman-at-icann/

ICANN, the New gTLD Program, and Our Responsibility for the Internet by Tina Dam
http://www.circleid.com/posts/icann_the_new_gtld_program_and_our_responsibility_for_the_internet/

AU/NZ, IE And NL Launch Awards Recognising Online Initiatives
http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/01/aunz-ie-and-nl-launch-awards-recognising-online-initiatives/

AFNIC welcomes the publication of the decree on the new legal framework for domain names
http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/302/afnic-welcomes-the-publication-of-the-decree-on-the-new-legal-framework-for-domain-names

France legalises 30,000 banned Internet domain names [AFP]
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g7ePy7FoQbYLzsM2aiSCrFcjGqbg

Intellectual property: Doing Business in NZ
http://www.mondaq.com/NewZealand/x/141184/Trademark/Intellectual+property

Quick Qs: Monte Cahn
http://dot-nxt.com/2011/08/01/monte-cahn-interview

Big Content calls for government new gTLD oversight
http://domainincite.com/big-content-calls-for-government-new-gtld-oversight/

Breaking: CentralNic regains control of gb.com
http://domainincite.com/breaking-centralnic-regains-control-of-gb-com/

Exclusive: Operation Shady rat?Unprecedented Cyber-espionage Campaign and Intellectual-Property Bonanza
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/09/operation-shady-rat-201109

Biggest series of cyber-attacks in history uncovered
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/03/biggest-series-cyber-attacks-uncovered

Cyber-attacks: how hackers use 'social engineering' to disable targets
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/03/hacking-social-engineering-cyber-attacks

Study: Cybercrime Becoming More Costly, More Frequent For Enterprises
http://www.darkreading.com/security/security-management/231300021/study-cybercrime-becoming-more-costly-more-frequent-for-enterprises.html

Study: Cybercrime costs on the rise from last year
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20087069-83/study-cybercrime-costs-on-the-rise-from-last-year/

Pacific nations begin to target cyber crime
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=62183

Web security: EU cyber-security Agency ENISA flags security fixes for new web standards [news release]
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/web-security-eu-cyber-security-agency-enisa-flags-security-fixes-for-new-web-standards

IPv6 -- Are you ahead, behind, or completely off the map?
http://blogs.computerworld.com/18723/ipv6_are_you_ahead_behind_or_completely_off_the_map

Web.com Buys Network Solutions For $405m
http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/04/webcom-buys-network-solutions-for-405m/

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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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New Ombudsman at ICANN by Chris LaHatte
Dear ICANN Community, My name is Chris LaHatte, and I am ICANN?s new Ombudsman. I will be available online to assist and facilitate the ICANN community as the organization faces many challenges from the gTLD expansion, the huge growth in Internet use in the developing world, and the cultural interplay and resolution from new participants in ICANN.
http://blog.icann.org/2011/08/new-ombudsman-at-icann/

ICANN, the New gTLD Program, and Our Responsibility for the Internet by Tina Dam
When ICANN approved the New gTLD Program in Singapore in June 2011, it pushed the activities in this space to a new level. I think we will all agree that everyone involved are very busy working on new gTLD applications and getting organized per the Applicant Guidebook requirements. This to be ready in time for the 12th of January 2012 ICANN new TLD Program launch date. However, good activities also brings along bad activities.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/icann_the_new_gtld_program_and_our_responsibility_for_the_internet/

ICANN appoints new Ombudsman
The appointment, which runs for an initial period of two years from July 28, was made during a board meeting last Thursday, and revealed today.
http://domainincite.com/icann-appoints-new-ombudsman/

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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AU/NZ, IE And NL Launch Awards Recognising Online Initiatives
A number of ccTLD registries have announced internet awards within their own countries that aim to foster and advance use of the internet.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=15420
http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/01/aunz-ie-and-nl-launch-awards-recognising-online-initiatives/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/aunz-ie-and-nl-launch-awards-recognising-online-initiatives.html

AFNIC welcomes the publication of the decree on the new legal framework for domain names
The decree specifying the conditions for implementing the law of 22 March 2011 has been published in the Official Journal. AFNIC welcomes the move and will now be able to carefully review the applications to register prohibited or reserved terms filed since 1 July.
http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/302/afnic-welcomes-the-publication-of-the-decree-on-the-new-legal-framework-for-domain-names

France legalises 30,000 banned Internet domain names [AFP]
French Internet authorities have been swamped by demands for domain names since a new law authorised the use of around 30,000 previously banned website addresses such as ?islam.fr? and ?internet.fr?.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/August/international_August138.xml&section=international
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g7ePy7FoQbYLzsM2aiSCrFcjGqbg

Intellectual property: Doing Business in NZ
"Haere mai" is M?ori for welcome and New Zealand is one of the most open economies in the world. But there are rules and regulations that will apply, and we are familiar with them. ... Domain names: Regional domain names, such as ".co.nz" and ".govt.nz", are registrable in New Zealand. New Zealand courts have protected businesses against 'cyber squatting" in some instances.
http://www.mondaq.com/NewZealand/x/141184/Trademark/Intellectual+property

The first .xxx porn site has gone live
Casting.xxx tonight has become officially the first live porn site to use a .xxx domain name.
http://domainincite.com/the-first-xxx-porn-site-has-gone-live/

.XXX Gearing Up for Launch: An Inside Peak at the ICM Registry
ICM RegistryYesterday afternoon, I had the chance to speak with Stuart Lawley, Chairman and CEO of the ICM Registry, the company that manages the .XXX domain registry. I wanted to see where the company is at with regards to the upcoming launch, and he was kind enough to provide some information and insight.
http://www.elliotsblog.com/xxx-gearing-up-for-launch-8050

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 - NEW TLDS
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Quick Qs: Monte Cahn
Monte Cahn is president of Right of the Dot LLC, a company that helps people launch new TLDs as well as relaunch existing TLDs.
http://dot-nxt.com/2011/08/01/monte-cahn-interview

PIR sets its sights on .ngo
The .org registry hopes to add .ngo ? for Non-Governmental Organization ? to its stable of TLDs, when ICANN opens its new gTLD program next year.
http://domainincite.com/pir-sets-its-sights-on-ngo/

Why PIR Is Pursuing .NGO
For the past decade, PIR has long stood as an advocate for higher Internet standards, working tirelessly to serve the best interest of over 9 million .ORG registrants. The core of our mission is to inspire and empower your community by helping organizations, individuals and companies alike to do more with their domain name extension and by providing a safe, trusted venue that brings those communities together.
http://pir.org/blog/2011/dotngo

PIR To Apply For .NGO TLD
Public Interest Registry have announced they will be applying for the .NGO TLD when ICANN begins taking applications next year, and if successful, will operate the new TLD in conjunction with the existing .ORG TLD they manage.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/02/pir-to-apply-for-ngo-tld/

Is .NGO the First Defensive TLD Registration Announcement?
This week Public Interest Registry (PIR) announced it will apply for the .ngo TLD name when ICANN opens up its application process next year.
http://domainnamewire.com/2011/08/03/is-ngo-the-first-defensive-tld-registration-announcement/

Big Content calls for government new gTLD oversight
The music, movie and advertising industries have backed a US move that could see governments getting more control over the approval of new TLDs.
http://domainincite.com/big-content-calls-for-government-new-gtld-oversight/

Fight Over .Music Domain Approvals Continue
The music industry still has concerns about the potential creation of a .music TLD.
http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/digital-and-mobile/fight-over-music-domain-approvals-continue-1005301182.story

ICANN Dot Branding: Half Full for Some Half Empty for Others
News from ICANN recently has a lot of business people in a stir. Intellectual property and branding attorneys to some of the world?s biggest brands, the new domain naming convention for domain name endings, also known as gTLDs, will certainly change the game of naming.
http://www.pamil-visions.net/icann-dot-branding/229335/

9 Reasons Your New TLD Will Fail
Are you thinking about applying for a new TLD when the application window opens in January? Here are some things to consider ? reasons your new TLD might be doomed to fail.
http://domainnamewire.com/2011/08/02/9-reasons-your-new-tld-will-fail/

Win $4,000 of newdomains.org conference tickets
I have four free passes for the upcoming newdomains.org conference, a total value of $4,000, which I will be giving away to lucky DomainIncite readers over the coming week.
http://domainincite.com/win-4000-of-newdomains-org-conference-tickets/

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 - DNS SECURITY
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Breaking: CentralNic regains control of gb.com
CentralNic has taken back control of gb.com, which was seized without warning by the company?s founder at the weekend.
http://domainincite.com/breaking-centralnic-regains-control-of-gb-com/

Exclusive: Operation Shady rat?Unprecedented Cyber-espionage Campaign and Intellectual-Property Bonanza
For at least five years, a high-level hacking campaign?dubbed Operation Shady rat?has infiltrated the computer systems of national governments, global corporations, nonprofits, and other organizations, with more than 70 victims in 14 countries. Lifted from these highly secure servers, among other sensitive property: countless government secrets, e-mail archives, legal contracts, and design schematics. Here, Vanity Fair?s Michael Joseph Gross breaks the news of Operation Shady rat?s existence?and speaks to the McAfee cyber-security expert who discovered it. Related: ?Enter the Cyber-dragon?.
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/09/operation-shady-rat-201109

Biggest series of cyber-attacks in history uncovered
Security experts have discovered the biggest series of cyber attacks to date, involving the infiltration of the networks of 72 organisations including the United Nations, governments and companies around the world.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/03/biggest-series-cyber-attacks-uncovered

Security Firm Identifies Global Cyber Spying
A massive cyberattack that lasted up to five years infiltrated computers and stole data from the United Nations and a wide range of governments and American corporations, according to a report released Wednesday by security experts in the United States.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/04/technology/security-firm-identifies-global-cyber-spying.html

Cyber-attacks: how hackers use 'social engineering' to disable targets
'I will tell you what stands out to me from all these attacks," says Rik Ferguson, a consultant at the security company Trend Micro, who has with long experience of countermanding hacking and malware. "They may use the most sophisticated malware which attacks computers in ways that haven't been seen before, but they always start with social engineering."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/03/hacking-social-engineering-cyber-attacks

'Largest series of cyber-attacks' reported
The computer security company, McAfee, says it has uncovered the largest series of cyber-attacks to date.
http://english.aljazeera.net/business/news/2011/08/20118314202110717.html

Governments, IOC and UN hit by massive cyber attack
IT security firm McAfee claims to have uncovered one of the largest ever series of cyber attacks.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14387559

Foreign government behind cyber crimewave: McAfee
McAfee says the report sheds light on the true extent of online theft, whether it is of money or intellectual property.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-04/mcafee-gives-details-of-hacking-campaign/2824018

Report on ?Operation Shady RAT? identifies widespread cyber-spying
A leading computer security firm has used logs produced by a single server to trace the hacking of more than 70 corporations and government organizations over many months, and experts familiar with the analysis say the snooping probably originated in China.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/report-identifies-widespread-cyber-spying/2011/07/29/gIQAoTUmqI_story.html

McAfee: Hackers compromised 72 organizations since 2006 [IDG]
Security vendor McAfee published a detailed report on Tuesday about a hacking group that penetrated 72 companies and organizations in 14 countries since 2006 in a massive operation that stole national secrets, business plans and other sensitive information.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/080311-mcafee-hackers-compromised-72-organizations.html
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/237150/mcafee_hackers_compromised_72_organizations_since_2006.html

Biggest-ever series of cyber attacks uncovered, U.N. hit
Security experts have discovered the biggest series of cyber attacks to date, involving the infiltration of the networks of 72 organizations including the United Nations, governments and companies around the world.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/03/idINIndia-58599720110803
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/03/uk-cyberattacks-idUKTRE7720II20110803

Global cyber-espionage operation uncovered
A widespread cyber-espionage campaign that stole government secrets, sensitive corporate documents and other intellectual property for five years from more than 70 public and private organizations in 14 countries has been uncovered by a McAfee researcher Vanity Fair reported today.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20087268-245/global-cyber-espionage-operation-uncovered/

Study: Cybercrime Becoming More Costly, More Frequent For Enterprises
Cybercrime is not only becoming more frequent -- it's becoming more expensive for the victims, according to a study published today.
http://www.darkreading.com/security/security-management/231300021/study-cybercrime-becoming-more-costly-more-frequent-for-enterprises.html

Study: Cybercrime costs on the rise from last year
A new annual study on the cost of cybercrime conducted by the Ponemon Institute has found that the expense of dealing with cybercrime is on the rise from last year.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20087069-83/study-cybercrime-costs-on-the-rise-from-last-year/
http://www.zdnetasia.com/study-cybercrime-costs-on-the-rise-from-last-year-62301497.htm
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-management/2011/08/03/study-finds-cybercrime-costs-on-the-rise-40093596/

Cybercrime Fight Costing Companies More This Year
Cybercrime cost corporations 56 percent more this year than last, according to an annual study from the Ponemon Institute and sponsored by ArcSight, an HP company.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/237084/cybercrime_fight_costing_companies_more_this_year.html

Most Americans aware of cyber attack threat - poll
Most Americans think the U.S. government should authorize cyber attacks if needed, have never been to a pyschiatrist or therapist and many named James Bond as their favorite fictional hero.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/02/idINIndia-58585120110802
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/02/oukin-uk-usa-poll-idUKTRE7714EQ20110802

Take cyberthreats seriously, says counterterrorism expert
Warnings about emerging cyberthreats shouldn't be treated with the same skepticism that many government officials showed toward the alarms sounded prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, warned a leading counterterrorism at the BlackHat security conference here Wednesday.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9218844/Take_cyberthreats_seriously_says_counterterrorism_expert
http://www.pcworld.com/article/237220/take_cyberthreats_seriously_says_counterterrorism_expert.html

us: Debt deal could be a blow for cybersecurity
The $2.1 trillion debt-cap pact that Congress passed Tuesday could hurt economic and national security as agencies postpone plans to invest in cybersecurity technology and hire more network specialists due to uncertainty over potential program cuts, computer security advisers say.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110802_1799.php

Pacific nations begin to target cyber crime
Pacific nations including the Cook Islands are starting to target cyber crime with help from New Zealand and Australia.
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=62183

Malware attack spreads to 5 million pages (and counting)
An attack that targets a popular online commerce application has infected almost 5 million webpages with scripts that attempt to install malware on their visitors' computers.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/08/02/mass_injection_attack_goes_viral/

Web security: EU cyber-security Agency ENISA flags security fixes for new web standards [news release]
At a critical moment in the development of HTML5, the new core standard for the web, ENISA today proposes important security fixes for 13 upcoming web standards. ENISA has identified 50 security threats and proposed how they should be addressed.
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/web-security-eu-cyber-security-agency-enisa-flags-security-fixes-for-new-web-standards

Enisa: W3C web standards pose 51 security threats
Emerging web standards have over 50 security design flaws, many of which could allow an attacker to steal information, the EU's security agency has warned.
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-threats/2011/08/01/enisa-w3c-web-standards-pose-51-security-threats-40093582/

us: Case Study: Cybersecurity best practices at Defense
The U.S. military's computer systems are probed by outsiders millions of times a day, while insiders, like a soldier who allegedly extracted heaps of classified files for public consumption on the WikiLeaks website, also pose threats.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110801_3888.php

Stuxnet Changes Terrorism Equation, Says Former CIA Official
The ability of the Stuxnet cyberattack to physically impact equipment has made cybersecurity significantly more important for U.S. domestic security strategy, a former counterterrorism official told attendees during the opening keynote at the Black Hat Security Briefings in Las Vegas.
http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/news/231300136/stuxnet-changes-terrorism-equation-says-former-cia-official.html

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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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U.S. Officials Arrest New York Man and Seize 16 Domain Names Allegedly Used to Sell Counterfeit Goods
In the summer of 2010 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began a series of Homeland Security Investigations targeting people involved in the illegal movement of people and goods into, within and out of the United States. As part of that campaign ICE has taken down websites and seized 141 domains that the agency said were being used for illicit activities.
http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2011/dailyposts/20110801.htm

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 - IPv4/IPv6
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IPv6 -- Are you ahead, behind, or completely off the map?
IPv6 has been one of the hottest topics of 2011. The heat around this subject was kindled with ICANN's announcement that they'd depleted their IPv4 addresses by issuing their last two /8's but continued to gain momentum as organizations worldwide came to the realization that yes, they're actually going to have to deal with IPv6.
http://blogs.computerworld.com/18723/ipv6_are_you_ahead_behind_or_completely_off_the_map

Comparing IPv4 and IPv6 Performance by Mirjam Kuehne
The active measurements the RIPE NCC carried out on World IPv6 Day on 8 June 2011 included ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) and ICMP6 (ICMP for IPv6) measurements from our vantage points to selected hostnames of World IPv6 Day participants and other dual-stacked parties. We used these measurements to determine the performance of IPv4 versus IPv6 connections.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110101_comparing_ipv4_and_ipv6_performance/

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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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Web.com Buys Network Solutions For $405m
Web.com, a provider of internet services and online marketing for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has agreed to acquire the privately?held Network Solutions, one of the largest domain name registrars focused on SMBs.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/04/webcom-buys-network-solutions-for-405m/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/webcom-buys-network-solutions-for-405m.html

Web.com and Network Solutions to Join Forces as Leader in SMB Online Marketing
Today we announced that we signed a definitive agreement to acquire Network Solutions, in a transaction that will make us the leading online marketing solutions company focused on small and medium-sized business.
http://www.web.com/blog/news/web-com-and-network-solutions-to-join-forces-as-leader-in-smb-online-marketing/

Web.com to acquire Network Solutions [IDG]
Web.com said Wednesday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held domain name registrar Network Solutions, to capitalize on a shift by small and medium businesses from traditional marketing channels to online marketing.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/080411-webcom-to-acquire-network.html
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/237279/webcom_to_acquire_network_solutions.html

Tucows expands into 200 TLDs with $2.5m deal
Tucows has acquired EPAG Domainservices, a Bonn, Germany-based domain name registrar, for $2.5 million.
http://domainincite.com/tucows-expands-into-200-tlds-with-2-5m-deal/

Palo Alto Networks Hires VeriSign Ex-CEO McLaughlin Ahead of Possible IPO
Palo Alto Networks Inc., a security software company that?s considering an initial public offering, has hired Mark McLaughlin as chief executive officer, following his resignation from VeriSign Inc. last week.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-01/palo-alto-networks-hires-former-verisign-ceo-mclaughlin-as-it-ponders-ipo.html

Andrew Kline Joins Go Daddy as Deputy General Counsel for Global Policy
Powerhouse domain registrar Go Daddy has brought former White House lawyer Andrew Kline into the private sector as its first-ever deputy GC for global policy, a sign of the company's growing presence on Capitol Hill.
http://www.law.com/jsp/cc/PubArticleCC.jsp?id=1202509463855

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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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Sex sells in the domain name game
When Jed Clampett's shot missed its intended target, hit the ground and struck oil, we got "The Beverly Hillbillies." Part of what made the story interesting was that old Jed found unexpected riches in something he already owned.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/080111-domain-names.html
http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=47193AD7-1A64-67EA-E486CA0C9B744727

Why .com is NOT king!
There?s a common misconception among domainers that the best investment in domains is .com. This is patently not true ? in fact .com domains have been a terrible investment over the last few years and prospects continue to look dire. The myth that investing in. com domains is the best choice and that anything else is a compromise has been fuelled by the following misconceptions:
http://www.netfleet.com.au/blog/other-domains/why-com-is-not-king/

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INTERNET USE
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au: Internet's $50bn GDP boost 'on par with' iron ore exports, retail
The internet is fast growing into one of the nation's strongest economic contributors, with a report showing it had chipped in more than $50 billion towards national gross domestic product last year.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/internets-50bn-gdp-boost-on-par-with-iron-ore-exports-retail/story-e6frg6nf-1226107002490

Internet kicks in to click-start the economy
The rise of the internet in the local economy could be the answer to the nation's worrying productivity growth rate.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/internet-kicks-in-to-click-start-the-economy/story-e6frg926-1226107011688

Internet's ability to disrupt and benefit has only just begun by Ross Gittins
Like many major new technologies before it, the internet is steadily remaking a host of our industries - music, film, travel, banking, newspapers, book-selling, and now retailing more generally. You've heard a lot about the pain this is inflicting on businesses and their staff, and you'll be hearing a lot more.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/internets-ability-to-disrupt-and-benefit-has-only-just-begun-20110802-1i9nv.html
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/net-benefits-at-50-billion-and-climbing-20110802-1i9oe.html

Google: The Connected Continent: how big is the Internet in AUD?
The Internet?s always been easy to measure in terms of users, bandwidth or time. Working out how all those things add to the national bottom line is surprisingly hard. (Imagine trying to quantify the economic impact of the steam engine or electricity when those inventions were in their earliest days.) Given that the Internet is shifting every industry into a different gear, we decided to give it a shot. We asked Deloitte Access Economics to take an in-depth look at what the Internet is actually bringing to Australia in economic terms.
http://google-au.blogspot.com/2011/08/connected-continent-how-big-is-internet.html

Booming internet hits $80bn
Australia's fast-growing internet industry now contributes almost as much to the nation's economy as the embattled retail sector, and its value is already as big as that of the nation's iron ore exports.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/booming-internet-hits-80bn-20110802-1i9zn.html
http://www.smh.com.au/business/booming-internet-hits-80bn-20110802-1i9zn.html

Boxes a building block in $50b online revolution
... New research published today says Australia's online economy will grow at twice the pace of the national economy between now and 2016, intensifying the pressure on businesses to adapt to sweeping technological changes.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/boxes-a-building-block-in-50b-online-revolution-20110802-1i9z7.html
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/boxes-a-building-block-in-50b-online-revolution-20110802-1i9z7.html

Internet tipped to add $70b to output
The internet will effectively pour $70 billion into Australia's economic output every year by 2016 - more than the current contribution from a suite of sectors, says new research.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/internet-tipped-to-add-70b-to-output/story-fn7j19iv-1226106961923

Kiwis tipped to spend $2.7b at online shops
Almost half the population will spend nearly $1400 each shopping online this year and more than a third of that will be spent offshore, a report says.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10742380

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SOCIAL NETWORKING
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Facebook facial recognition software violates privacy laws, says Germany
Facebook is threatened with legal action in Germany over its facial recognition software, which critics say violates privacy and data protection laws.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/03/facebook-facial-recognition-privacy-germany

Germany Investigating Facebook Tagging Feature
A German regulator said Wednesday that he had asked Facebook to disable its new photo-tagging software, saying he was concerned that its facial recognition feature amounted to the unauthorized collection of data on individuals.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/04/technology/germany-investigates-facebook-tagging.html

Germany Asks Facebook to Disable Facial Recognition
The head of the German data protection authority has asked Facebook to disable its facial recognition feature over concerns that it violates European Union privacy laws.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/237215/germany_asks_facebook_to_disable_facial_recognition.html

Brands Now Direct Their Followers to Social Media
Marketers promoting their products online have followed a fairly standard arc historically, first buying digital ads and building their own Web sites in the early years of the Internet, and more recently amassing followers on social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/04/business/media/promoting-products-using-social-media-advertising.html

Twitter valued at $8bn after large investment
Twitter, the microblogging website that lets users tweet messages of 140 characters or less, is now worth $8bn (?4.9bn). The firm's new price tag comes after a $400m investment in the loss-making venture from serial social media investor DST Global. Twitter is now nominally worth about the same as rating agency Moody's, which had revenues of $1.2bn in the first six months of 2011 and is nearly as valuable as Marks & Spencer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/02/twitter-valued-8bn-large-investment

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CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
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Study warns parents about rise of children multi-screening
Parents should be aware of the rise of "multiple screen" viewing among children on devices including televisions, smartphones and portable games consoles, when monitoring whether they are being active enough, researchers say.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/aug/03/study-children-multi-screen-viewing

One in five children is victim of cyber-bullying - with girls targeted most
One in five young people has been a victim of cyber-bullying, which experts warn can cause more psychological damage than traditional forms of bullying.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/one-in-five-children-is-victim-of-cyberbullying-ndash-with-girls-targeted-most-2330270.html
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10742538

Almost one fifth of youngsters cyberbullied [Press Association]
Nearly one in five UK youngsters have been the victim of cyberbullying, with girls affected more than boys, research suggests.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/aug/01/cyber-bullying-victims

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MOBILE/WIRELESS
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Apple, Others Waging War on Android: Google
Google Inc. accused Microsoft Corp. and Oracle Corp. of waging a ?hostile, organized campaign? against its Android mobile software, a sign of escalating tension in the technology industry?s patent war.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-03/google-says-android-system-faces-hostile-campaign-by-apple-competitors.html

Apple, Samsung case a 'storm in a teacup'
Apple's Australian court action against Samsung over its Galaxy Tab 10.1 will not make it to trial, and will only cause a minor delay to the product launch, according to a patent and intellectual property lawyer.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/apple-samsung-case-a-storm-in-a-teacup-339319831.htm

Apple's 'bogus' patents will 'strangle' Android: Google
Google's chief legal officer has launched a blistering attack on competitors including Apple for attempting to stifle innovation by using "bogus patents" to target Android partners including Samsung.
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/apples-bogus-patents-will-strangle-android-google-20110804-1icf9.html
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/apples-bogus-patents-will-strangle-android-google-20110804-1icf9.html

When patents attack Android by David Drummond, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Google
I have worked in the tech sector for over two decades. Microsoft and Apple have always been at each other?s throats, so when they get into bed together you have to start wondering what's going on. Here is what?s happening:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/when-patents-attack-android.html

Google exec attacks 'hostile' patent campaign against Android
Google's chief legal officer Wednesday issued a stinging rebuke of what he called "bogus patent" attacks on the Android operating system by major competitors like Apple, Oracle and Microsoft.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9218853/Google_exec_attacks_hostile_patent_campaign_against_Android_
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/080311-google-exec-attacks-hostile-patent.html

Apple v Samsung just the tip of the iceberg
Apple's tablet and smartphone patents are so broad that virtually all major competitors could be targeted by the company if it is successful in its legal tussle with Samsung.
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/tablets/apple-v-samsung-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-20110803-1ian5.html
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/tablets/apple-v-samsung-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-20110803-1ian5.html

uk: Third of adults 'use smartphone' says Ofcom report
One in three adults in the UK now uses a smartphone, according to a report by the telecoms regulator Ofcom.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14397101

Facebook and Twitter fuel iPhone and Blackberry addiction, says Ofcom
Britons' appetite for Facebook and social networks on the go is driving a huge demand for smartphones ? with 60% of teenagers describing themselves as "highly addicted" to their device ? according to new research by the media regulator, Ofcom.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/04/facebook-twitter-iphone-blackberry-addiction-ofcom

British smartphone use soaring, led by teens - survey
Teenage Britons are spending more and more time using smartphones to make calls, send texts and use social networking sites, and more than half of those that own the devices claim to be addicted to them, regulator Ofcom said on Thursday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/03/uk-britain-smartphone-idUKTRE7727C520110803
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/04/idINIndia-58610420110804

A nation addicted to smartphones [news release]
New Ofcom research reveals the extent to which the UK has become addicted to smartphones, with people confessing to using them everywhere from the dining table to the bathroom and bedroom.
http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/08/04/a-nation-addicted-to-smartphones/

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ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
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Exclusive: Operation Shady rat?Unprecedented Cyber-espionage Campaign and Intellectual-Property Bonanza
For at least five years, a high-level hacking campaign?dubbed Operation Shady rat?has infiltrated the computer systems of national governments, global corporations, nonprofits, and other organizations, with more than 70 victims in 14 countries. Lifted from these highly secure servers, among other sensitive property: countless government secrets, e-mail archives, legal contracts, and design schematics. Here, Vanity Fair?s Michael Joseph Gross breaks the news of Operation Shady rat?s existence?and speaks to the McAfee cyber-security expert who discovered it. Related: ?Enter the Cyber-dragon?.
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/09/operation-shady-rat-201109