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. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Carefully Constructed New gTLD Program Moves Forward by Kurt Pritz http://blog.icann.org/2011/12/carefully-constructed-new-gtld-program-moves-forward/ ICANN Defiant Despite Calls to Delay Domain-Name Program http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/icann-defiant-despite-calls-to-delay-domain-name-program-20111214 UN, IMF join opposition to ICANN TLD plans http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/12/14/gtld_concerns_un_imf/ Web domain plan 'not ready for prime time,' lawmakers say http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/199425-web-domain-plan-not-ready-for-prime-time-lawmakers-say ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** O.E.C.D. Calls on Members to Defend Internet Freedoms As a rising tide of digital dissent raises alarms in many capitals around the world, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday called on member countries to ?promote and protect the global free flow of information? online. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/technology/oecd-calls-on-members-to-defend-internet-freedoms.html ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Carefully Constructed New gTLD Program Moves Forward by Kurt Pritz Senator Jay Rockefeller?s introductory statement at the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation?s hearing regarding ICANN?s New gTLD Program on December 8, 2011 went right to the issue: ?I think we have to get used to dot-hotels. I think we have to get used to dot-auto.? With that comment, the Chairman seemed to welcome the possibility of greater online innovation and competition. These are two core reasons for the existence of the new program that could potentially introduce hundreds of new TLDs names into the global Internet. http://blog.icann.org/2011/12/carefully-constructed-new-gtld-program-moves-forward/ CEO Search Committee Progress The CEO Search Committee has met several times since Dakar, and has scheduled conference calls at least weekly through the Costa Rica meeting in March 2012. http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-12dec11-en.htm Preliminary GNSO Issue Report on the Registrar Accreditation Agreement Amendments Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose: The Preliminary Issue Report on the Registrar Accreditation Agreement Amendment is published in response to the Board Resolution (2011.11.10.18.32) in Dakar regarding proposed amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-12dec11-en.htm ICANN Board awards itself $35,000, developing countries $138,000, and adds to confusion with 'secondary timestamp' ICANN has posted the minutes of its Board meeting last Thursday, 8 December, and has made a number of significant decisions. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/12/13/icann-board-dec-minutes Congressional hearing packed with anti-gTLD witnesses (again) For the second time in a week, ICANN faces a hostile Congressional hearing over its new gTLD program, with the witness list stacked against it. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/12/12/house-hearing-witness-list Wanted: new CEO for ICANN ICANN has hired a recruiting firm and posted a job ad, officially kicking off its hunt for a CEO to replace Rod Beckstrom when he leaves next summer. http://domainincite.com/wanted-new-ceo-for-icann/ Want to be ICANN?s next CEO? Want to be the CEO of an organization launching a highly controversial expansion of the internet namespace and seeing its budget double or triple your first year on the job? http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/12/want-to-be-icanns-next-ceo/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Court decides on sex.eu After five years of legal proceedings, the case surrounding the domain name sex.eu is now concluded, reports the .eu registry, EURid. http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/court-decides-sexeu European court concludes sex.eu legal case After five years of legal proceedings, the case surrounding the domain name sex.eu is concluded, according to a report by.eu registry, EURid. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/european-court-concludes-sexeu-legal-case Internet Registry rewards outstanding registrars, urges more adoption of .ng AS part of efforts, aimed at deepening the adoption of the .ng ccTLD name, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has rewarded outstanding accredited registrars in the domain name industry. http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70666:internet-registry-rewards-outstanding-registrars-urges-more-adoption-of-ng Huffington Post.xxx. Could It Happen to You Too? Companies have been in a mad rush to grab some very coveted Internet-based real estate: their.name.here.xxx. Yes, sales for space on the Internet?s red light district TLD have gone live. Many years in the making, the .xxx has been a controversial proposal from the start. Its point has always been to both carve out a brightly defined neighborhood so parents can keep their kids clear of these sites, as well as make some money from this huge industry. http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2011/12/13/huffington-post-xxx-could-it-happen-to-you-too/ ICM Registry Acts in Response to Reports of Cyber-squatting ICM Registry announced that as part of its investigation of reported cybersquatting by a handful of individuals, it has suspended registrations that appear to involve unmistakable, blatant cybersquatting in violation of the Registry?s policies and the Registry-Registrant Agreement. The suspended registrations include patterns of abusive registrations for names like businessweek.xxx, cnbc.xxx, geocities.xxx, nextag.xxx, snapfish.xxx, verizonwireless.xxx, washingtonpost.xxx, and gayroom.xxx, amongst others. http://www.icmregistry.com/press/icm-registry-acts-in-response-to-reports-of-cyber-squatting/ ICM opens can of worms with .xxx domain seizures ICM Registry has suspended several dozen .xxx domain names registered by cybersquatters. http://domainincite.com/icm-opens-can-of-worms-with-xxx-domain-seizures/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** ICANN Defiant Despite Calls to Delay Domain-Name Program A top official with the group that manages the Internet?s address system said on Wednesday a program to allow unlimited introduction of new Web domain names should roll out on January despite growing calls to delay it. http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/icann-defiant-despite-calls-to-delay-domain-name-program-20111214 International groups want off Internet name expansion The United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and 26 other international organizations are pressing the keepers of the Internet to prevent addresses like ".un" or ".imf" from being taken by cybersquatters in an upcoming expansion of domain names. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/13/us-internet-names-idUSTRE7BC2KZ20111213 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/12/13/internet-names-idINDEE7BC0IW20111213 UN, IMF join opposition to ICANN TLD plans Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) like the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund have joined the ranks of the opposition to ICANN's proposed expansion of domain names. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/12/14/gtld_concerns_un_imf/ Web domain plan 'not ready for prime time,' lawmakers say Lawmakers on a House subcommittee urged ICANN to re-consider its plan to open up the Internet to hundreds of new domain endings at a hearing on Wednesday. http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/199425-web-domain-plan-not-ready-for-prime-time-lawmakers-say Congressmen ask for new gTLDs delay ICANN should consider delaying the launch of its new TLDs program, a number of US lawmakers said at a House of Representatives committee hearing today. http://domainincite.com/congressmen-ask-for-new-gtlds-delay/ ICANN is ready for battle over expansion of Web suffixes There?s been a scramble to snap up domain names for the Internet?s newest designation ? .xxx ? but not necessarily from those you?d expect. Adult sites have reserved their spot in the newly labeled section of the Web, but so have companies, charities, celebrities and politicians. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/icann-is-ready-for-battle-over-expansion-of-web-suffixes/2011/12/12/gIQAroAgqO_story.html Editorial Board Opinion: What?s the .rush? For two decades, .com, .org and some 20 other ?gTLDs? have served as calling cards for the vast majority of Web sites. That may change dramatically ? and not for the better ? if the obscure but powerful organization that manages domain names gets its way. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/whats-the-rush/2011/12/09/gIQA5Ms9nO_story.html Washington Post calls for new gTLD rollout delay The Washington Post has called for the rollout of hundreds of new Internet extensions to be delayed, claiming that the program is "not ready for prime time". http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/12/11/washington-post-calls-for-gtld-delay Why .XXX And Other New TLDs Are A Terrible Idea A founding chairman of ICANN, the group in charge of assigning top-level internet domains like .com, testified against its expansion last week. Esther Dyson, an independent angel investor, testified before the Senate on Dec. 8 for a hearing on ICANN's Expansion of TLDs to express her concern over the plan for TLD to grow. http://www.businessinsider.com/boonsri-dickinson-esther-dyson-tried-to-buy-an-xxx-to-protect-meetupcoms-brand-2011-12 ICANN leaves new gTLD batching and support questions hanging ICANN came closer to answering two very important questions about the new TLDs application process at its board meeting last Thursday. http://domainincite.com/icann-leaves-new-gtld-batching-and-support-questions-hanging/ Beckstrom to keynote London new gTLDs conference ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom will address a half-day conference on new gTLDs in London next month, just a few days before ICANN?s application window opens. http://domainincite.com/beckstrom-to-keynote-london-new-gtlds-conference/ gTLDs Opponents Create the Very Confusion They Decry by Alexa Raad It's ironic and amusing that while a few well-connected opponents of the new gTLD program were testifying before the U.S. Senate committee, I was asked to help educate top executives of one of the largest global ad agencies and their major clients on the brand marketing and advertising implications of the program. It was clear from the start that virtually all these high-powered executives knew about the program they had learned from the eleventh hour negative campaign http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111212_gtlds_opponents_create_the_very_confusion_they_decry/ Between Intellectual Property and Multistakeholderism by Konstantinos Komaitis The US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Hearing on ICANN's Expansion of TLDs on December 8, 2001 was all about strategy. The strategy was simple: while the world has its attention turned to the debate on the copyright legislative proposals of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act, let's have another ICANN hearing and try to re-open trademark protection for new gTLDs. http://www.circleid.com/posts/icann_senate_hearing_battle_intellectual_property_and_multistakholderism/ Fear of New gTLD Monopolies Is Overblown by Alex Tajirian You should not worry too much if some of the new gTLDs become monopolies. ICANN and the registries won't charge monopoly prices as long as they have to worry about the government stepping in. Monopolies normally present two problems for consumers: restricted output and higher prices. In the case of the new gTLDs, restricted output is caused only by ICANN's monopoly over approving gTLD applications. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111213_fear_of_new_gtld_monopolies_is_overblown/ New gTLDs and Endangered Languages by Jean Guillon While exploring the UNESCO's interactive atlas of the world's languages in danger, I am happy to see that new gTLDs could help save some of these languages. .CAT for Catalan language already exist; .BZH will probably have the "Breton" language to help survive; "Basque" is vulnerable but there is a .EUS initiative; .CORSICA will certainly help the "Corsican" language to develop. http://www.circleid.com/posts/new_gtlds_and_endangered_languages/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** How to Deny DDoS Attacks Over the past couple of years, DDoS attacks haven't just become more sophisticated -- they've gone mainstream to the point that attackers aren't shy about using them brazenly in the name of social and political activism. Perpetrators rarely face any form of punishment, and it doesn't help that some judges have deemed the practice legal. http://www.infoworld.com/d/security/how-deny-ddos-attacks-181523 http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/246175/how_to_deny_ddos_attacks.html U.K. Detects 'Talk' About Internet Terror Attack British intelligence picked up "talk" from terrorists planning an Internet-based attack against the U.K.'s national infrastructure, a British official said, as the government released a long-awaited report on cyber security. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203764804577060272839781902.html U.S. Probe Ties Chinese Cyberspying to Military U.S. intelligence agencies have pinpointed many of the Chinese groups responsible for cyberspying in the U.S., and most are sponsored by the Chinese military, according to people who have been briefed on a U.S. intelligence investigation. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204336104577094690893528130.html China-based hacking offers evidence of global cyber war Google Inc. and Intel Corp. were logical targets for China-based hackers, given the solid-gold intellectual property data stored in their computers. An attack by cyber spies on iBahn, a provider of Internet services to hotels, takes some explaining. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-13/china-based-hacking-of-760-companies-reflects-undeclared-global-cyber-war.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/china-based-hacking-of-760-companies-shows-global-cyber-war/2011/12/13/gIQA2WMEsO_story.html Microsoft squashes Duqu threat with Windows patch A month after releasing a temporary workaround to block malware exploiting a Windows kernel vulnerability, Microsoft today issued a patch for all supported releases of Windows aimed at putting an end to attacks based on the Duqu worm. http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/12/microsoft-squashes-duqu-threat-with-windows-patch.ars ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** us: Domain seizure oversight lax and broken, targets out of luck The federal government experienced two embarrassing setbacks last week related to Operation In Our Sites, the campaign to seize domain names suspected of being used to infringe copyright. A federal judge dismissed a forfeiture complaint against the Spanish sports site RojaDirecta.com (though the government is keeping the domain for now). Also last week, the government returned the domain Dajaz1.com, tacitly admitting that it had made a mistake in seizing the domain in the first place. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/12/expert-domain-seizure-oversight-too-lax-targets-out-of-luck.ars uk: Typosquatters set up booby-trapped High Street names Fraudsters have established thousands of typosquatting sites designed to hoodwink customers of popular shopping sites into handing over personal information to fraudulent dopplegangers. http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2011/12/13/typosquatting_scams_target_xmas_shoppers/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** 2012 to be "watershed year" for IPv6 adoption in New Zealand The New Zealand IPv6 Task Force is tipping 2012 to be the watershed year for IPv6 adoption in New Zealand, saying that many government organisations anticipate making at least some of their public services available natively on IPv6." http://www.itwire.com/it-policy-news/government-tech-policy/51717-2012-to-be-qwatershed-yearq-for-ipv6-adoption-in-new-zealand Testing shows IPv6 is becoming deployable in customer edge routers The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) hosted its third IPv6 Customer Edge (CE) Router Interoperability Test Event the week of November 7-11, 2011. The event brought together users and suppliers of CE Router equipment in order to gain perspective on the current status of interoperability against the Internet Engineering Task Force's (IETF) Basic Requirements for IPv6 Customer Edge Routers. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/121211-cpe-ipv6-event-253984.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Technical Comments on Mandated DNS Filtering Requirements of H. R. 3261 ("SOPA") by Paul Vixie About two months ago, I got together with some fellow DNS engineers and sent a letter to the U. S. Senate explaining once again why the mandated DNS filtering requirements of S. 968 ("PIPA") were technically unworkable. This letter was an updated reminder of the issues we had previously covered... In the time since then, the U. S. House of Representatives has issued their companion bill, H. R. 3261 ("SOPA") and all indications are that they will begin "markup" on this bill some time next week. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111211_technical_comments_on_mandated_dns_filtering_requirements_sopa/ Sorry domainers, but Microsoft?s study has nothing to do with domains A study by Microsoft over ?domain bias? in searches is making the rounds today. Unfortunately I think domainers are misinterpreting what it says. I?m even going to disagree with Michael Berkens on the importance of this one. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/13/sorry-domainers-but-microsofts-study-has-nothing-to-do-with-domains/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Decade-long report on Internet use finds Americans conflicted about Internet?s benefits, harms Over the past decade, Americans have witnessed the rise of social networks and mobile technology that?s put the Internet at an arm?s reach, day and night ? yet a new study has found that people are even more distrustful of the information they find online. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/decade-long-report-on-internet-use-finds-americans-conflicted-about-internets-benefits-harms/2011/12/14/gIQA0E7ztO_story.html UK is Europe's most digitally aware nation, Ofcom study finds The UK is officially Europe's most screen-addicted nation: Britons spend more time online, own more smartphones and digital video recorders and watch more television over the internet than any country on the Continent. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/dec/14/uk-europe-top-digital-nation UK consumers are a nation of online shoppers [news release] More consumers in the UK use the internet for shopping than other major countries, a new Ofcom report reveals. They also watch more TV online, use their mobiles more to go online and play more games on their phones. http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/12/14/uk-consumers-are-a-nation-of-online-shoppers/ More than 100 million EU citizens have never surfed web Almost a quarter of the European Union's 500 million people have never used the Internet and there is a widening division between the web-savvy north of Europe and the poorer south and east, figures released on Wednesday showed. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/14/uk-eu-internet-idUKTRE7BD1C920111214 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook launches tool to report suicidal behaviour Facebook launched a new suicide prevention tool on Tuesday, giving users a direct link to an online chat with counsellors who can help, the company said. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/13/oukin-uk-facebook-counseling-suicide-idUKTRE7BC2IA20111213 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/12/13/facebook-counseling-suicide-idINDEE7BC0IO20111213 ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* nz: Report proposes tough new laws on cyber bullying Victims of cyber bullying could strike back at their tormentors through a new, easily accessible internet enforcer capable of imposing fines, ordering apologies or even terminating the offender's internet account under a proposal revealed today. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-changing-world/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502962&objectid=10772670 New UNICEF report examines the risks facing children online [news release] A child?s first steps into a run-down Internet caf? in Benin can be a transformative experience, offering access to new friends on other continents, exploration of distant lands, and entertainments far beyond the traditional village scene. http://www.unicef.org/protection/57929_60984.html Internet risk revealed in report Australian research has contributed to a global report that reveals the full extent of the risk the internet poses to children. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/12340679/internet-risk-revealed-in-report/ The internet's child abuse problem As of this year it's estimated nearly 17,000 websites globally show child abuse images. http://www.3news.co.nz/The-internets-child-abuse-problem/tabid/412/articleID/236478/Default.aspx nz: Internet warning after men fall victim to social site lure Two Auckland men were allegedly lured into a house by a woman they met over the internet - and then threatened and robbed by the woman and her boyfriend. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/crime/news/article.cfm?c_id=30&objectid=10773308 EU-Minister: Mehr Anstrengungen beim L?schen von Kinderpornographie Die Justiz- und Innenminister der EU haben die Kommission und die Mitgliedsstaaten in einem Beschluss am Dienstag aufgefordert, sch?rfer gegen Bilder sexuellen Kindesmissbrauchs im Internet vorzugehen. Die Kommission fordert der Rat auf, bessere Methoden zum L?schen von Kinderpornographie zu erforschen und die Effizienz bestehender Verfahren zu erh?hen. Auch der Dialog mit der Wirtschaft sei in dieser Hinsicht weiter zu vertiefen. http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/EU-Minister-Mehr-Anstrengungen-beim-Loeschen-von-Kinderpornographie-1394809.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** U.S. Safety Board Urges Cellphone Ban for Drivers A federal agency on Tuesday called for a ban on all cellphone use by drivers ? the most far-reaching such recommendation to date ? saying its decision was based on a decade of investigations into distraction-related accidents, as well as growing concerns that powerful mobile devices are giving drivers even more reasons to look away from the road. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/technology/federal-panel-urges-cellphone-ban-for-drivers.html Cellphone use while driving can kill, NTSB says, urging full ban States should implement a full ban on cellphones -- even hands-free devices -- when driving except in emergency situations, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended on Tuesday. The board said the dangers outweighed any benefits to talking or texting while on the road. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/12/ntsb-recommends-full-ban-on-cellphones-when-driving.html Cellphone ban while driving? The tragedies behind the issue Eleven texts in 11 minutes from behind the wheel -- then two were dead and 38 injured. A deadly Missouri incident was cited Tuesday by the National Transportation Safety Board as the panel urged a total ban on cellphone use while driving. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/12/total-cellphone-ban-while-driving.html NTSB urges nationwide ban on cellphone use while driving The National Transportation Safety Board recommended Tuesday that all states and the District ban cellphone use behind the wheel, becoming the first federal agency to call for an outright prohibition on telephone conversations while driving. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/ntsb-urges-nationwide-ban-on-cellphone-use-while-driving/2011/12/13/gIQAbuwHsO_story.html us: Robert Mueller Can't Rule Out FBI Obtained Data From Carrier IQ FBI Director Robert Mueller on Wednesday denied the bureau had ever sought information from the mobile-software company Carrier IQ, but said he could not rule out the possibility it obtained data collected by the controversial software through requests from wireless carriers. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/14/robert-mueller-fbi-carrier-iq_n_1148700.html FBI never sought Carrier IQ data, director says FBI Director Robert Mueller today said his agency has never sought any information directly from Carrier IQ for any of its investigations. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/121411-fbi-never-sought-carrier-iq-254096.html us: Feds probing Carrier IQ Federal investigators are probing allegations that Carrier IQ software found on about 150 million cellphones tracked user activity and sent the information to the cellphone companies without informing consumers, officials say. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/feds-probing-carrier-iq/2011/12/14/gIQA9nCEuO_story.html HTC v Apple patent ruling delayed HTC, the world's fourth biggest smartphone maker by volume, said on Wednesday that a US court has further postponed a final ruling on its lawsuit against Apple, which is seeking a ban on sales of HTC devices in the US market ? and perhaps on all Android devices there. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/14/htc-apple-patent-ruling-delay Google's Motorola Mobility takeover: EU delays ruling Google's takeover of Motorola Mobility faces a delay after EU regulators suspended their review of the deal. The European Commission has revealed that it halted the approval process last week, and requested more information. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16158986 Google's Motorola Mobility takeover delayed The European Commission has hit the "pause" button on Google's proposed $12.5bn (?7.8bn) takeover of mobile phone company Motorola Mobility, and asked for more feedback from rivals and users who would be affected by the deal. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/13/google-motorola-mobility-takeover-delayed In 2011, almost half of all enterprises in the EU27 accessed the internet via mobile broadband [news release] In the EU27, enterprises1 use the internet for a variety of purposes, among others, to present information on a website, offer online shopping facilities to customers and interact with public authorities2. In the EU27, 95% of enterprises had access to the internet in January 2011. The share of enterprises having a fixed broadband connection3 to access the internet grew slightly from 84% in 2010 to 87% in 2011. On the other hand, the use of mobile broadband connections3 by enterprises in the EU27 increased significantly in the same period, from 27% to 47%. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/11/185 ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** au: Ban online terror material, says new study [AAP] Social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube are being used by terrorist groups to groom vulnerable people, and Australia and its international partners should be limiting extremist propaganda on the internet, a new study says. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/ban-online-terror-material-says-new-study/story-fn3dxity-1226222396174 ********************** SECURITY ********************** Apple, Facebook behind Microsoft , Google in IT security: expert Microsoft and Google lead the pack when it comes to IT and cloud computing security, ahead of Apple and Facebook, according to an industry expert. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/apple-facebook-behind-microsoft-google-in-it-security-expert/story-e6frgakx-1226222459052 U.K. Detects 'Talk' About Internet Terror Attack British intelligence picked up "talk" from terrorists planning an Internet-based attack against the U.K.'s national infrastructure, a British official said, as the government released a long-awaited report on cyber security. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203764804577060272839781902.html U.S. Probe Ties Chinese Cyberspying to Military U.S. intelligence agencies have pinpointed many of the Chinese groups responsible for cyberspying in the U.S., and most are sponsored by the Chinese military, according to people who have been briefed on a U.S. intelligence investigation. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204336104577094690893528130.html China-based hacking offers evidence of global cyber war Google Inc. and Intel Corp. were logical targets for China-based hackers, given the solid-gold intellectual property data stored in their computers. An attack by cyber spies on iBahn, a provider of Internet services to hotels, takes some explaining. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-13/china-based-hacking-of-760-companies-reflects-undeclared-global-cyber-war.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/china-based-hacking-of-760-companies-shows-global-cyber-war/2011/12/13/gIQA2WMEsO_story.html Microsoft squashes Duqu threat with Windows patch A month after releasing a temporary workaround to block malware exploiting a Windows kernel vulnerability, Microsoft today issued a patch for all supported releases of Windows aimed at putting an end to attacks based on the Duqu worm. http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/12/microsoft-squashes-duqu-threat-with-windows-patch.ars ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Web Problems Plague Russia Critics When the iPad-toting opposition protesters gathered in central Moscow for a demonstration this weekend, they were surprised by what they said is a growing but familiar danger to their movement: Lack of mobile Internet service. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204336104577092642660966970.html EU to Give Secret Anti-censorship Software to Human Rights Activists [IDG] The European Union plans to distribute new software to help human rights activists and dissidents in authoritarian regimes circumvent censorship. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/246031/eu_to_give_secret_anticensorship_software_to_human_rights_activists.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Lines Are Drawn on Legislation Against Internet Piracy Type ?download movies for free? into Google, and up pops links to sites like the Pirate Bay, directing users to free copies of just about any entertainment ? the latest ?Twilight? installment, this week?s episode of ?Whitney,? the complete recordings of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/technology/lines-are-drawn-on-legislation-against-internet-piracy.html New version of SOPA copyright bill, old complaints In an effort to head off mounting criticism before a vote on the legislation this Thursday, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today announced a series of tweaks to SOPA, which is backed by Hollywood and major record labels but opposed by Internet firms and the Consumer Electronics Association. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57341916-281/new-version-of-sopa-copyright-bill-old-complaints/ Google Claims Censorship as Hollywood Presses Piracy Bills Internet companies led by Google Inc. are waging a last-ditch campaign to block anti-piracy legislation before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, saying the Hollywood-backed measure amounts to online censorship. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-13/google-claims-censorship-as-silicon-valley-fights-hollywood-on-web-piracy.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/google-claims-censorship-as-hollywood-presses-piracy-bills/2011/12/13/gIQAb7EAsO_story.html Internet Society Joins Opposition to Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) [news release] The Internet Society Board of Trustees has expressed concern with a number of U.S. legislative proposals that would mandate DNS blocking and filtering by ISPs to protect the interests of copyright holders. While the Internet Society agrees that combating illicit online activity is an important public policy objective, these critical issues must be addressed in ways that do not undermine the viability of the Internet as a platform for innovation across all industries by compromising its global architecture. The Internet Society Board of Trustees does not believe that the Protect-IP Act (PIPA) and Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) are consistent with these basic principles. http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=4932 Proposed Revision to SOPA: Some Welcome Cuts, But Major Concerns Remain Yesterday afternoon, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith released a proposed substitute amendment for SOPA, the sweepingly broad anti-piracy bill introduced in October. The amended version is scheduled to be considered by the Judiciary Committee on Thursday. http://cdt.org/blogs/david-sohn/1312proposed-revision-sopa-some-welcome-cuts-major-concerns-remain Sponsor waters down online blacklisting bill, but STOP still has issues Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced amendments late Monday to the Stop Online Piracy Act?changes that dramatically water down the controversial measure?s scope. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/12/sponsor-waters-down-online-blacklisting-bill-but-stop-still-has-issues.ars SOPA backers: It's needed to take down The Pirate Bay Large copyright holders are warning that a new proposal called the OPEN Act is ineffective because it would do nothing to thwart what they view as the Internet's most notorious Web site: ThePirateBay.org. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57343149-281/sopa-backers-its-needed-to-take-down-the-pirate-bay/ au: Days of digital divide over: push to bring new media into line Hundreds of pages of regulation governing television and radio should be scrapped and websites should be treated no differently from traditional broadcasters, a blueprint for the future media landscape has recommended. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/days-of-digital-divide-over-push-to-bring-new-media-into-line/story-e6frg996-1226222375098 nz: OPINION: US heavies NZ on software patents A pending international trade treaty could override a recent New Zealand law change that excluded software from patent protection. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/opinion-us-heavies-nz-software-patents-ck-106373 nz: Law Commission proposes overhaul of new media law A wide ranging issues paper on new media has been released by the Law Commission, which makes a number of recommendations designed to curb harmful online behaviour. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/law-commission-proposes-overhaul-of-new-media-law nz: 'Super watchdog' for bloggers, news sites A Law Commission review proposes a super watchdog for the news industry, to police the "wild west of the internet". http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/6123280/Super-watchdog-for-bloggers-news-sites nz: Law Commission playing catch-up with internet report The Law Commission yesterday released a new report looking to address the problems of policing the internet, in particular the areas of cyber-bullying and media. http://www.3news.co.nz/Law-Commission-playing-catch-up-with-internet-report/tabid/419/articleID/236326/Default.aspx nz: Joyce moves up for round two ... AMY ADAMS: Communications and Information Technology - InternetNZ chief executive Vikram Kumar welcomed the second-term Selwyn MP's appointment and said he expected Adams, as a new member of the Cabinet, would come in with a "huge amount of energy and enthusiasm". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10772866 nz: New ICT minister Adams faces two big fights Amy Adams, who replaced Steven Joyce as Minister for Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) in this morning's cabinet reshuffle, faces two major bunfights - one unavoidable (the 2012 spectrum auction), and one possible (over intensifying unrest with Sky TV's near-monopoly as the telecommunications and pay TV industries converge. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/new-ict-minister-adams-faces-two-big-fights-ck-106288 nz: Amy Adams is new ICT Minister Former National back bench MP Amy Adams has been appointed as ICT Minister as Prime Minister John Key announced his new government lineup this morning. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/amy-adams-is-new-ict-minister New Zealand gets new ICT Minister New Zealand has a new ICT minister; Amy Adams, a former Christchurch-based backbencher who previously worked for a law firm. http://www.zdnet.com.au/new-zealand-gets-new-ict-minister-339327794.htm nz: Computer Society to launch schools outreach programme The New Zealand Computer Society is launching a community programme in the new year in which IT professionals will visit secondary schools and evangelise about careers in technology. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/careers/computer-society-to-launch-schools-outreach-programme ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** A rising role for IT: McKinsey Global Survey results In our sixth annual technology survey, executives say their companies are boosting IT spending and adopting new technology platforms to support innovation. http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/High_Tech/Strategy_Analysis/A_rising_role_for_IT_McKinsey_Global_Survey_results_2900 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Voice-over-internet companies win EU backing in dispute with mobile carriers Voice-over-internet companies complaining that mobile and landline internet providers penalise the smooth functioning of their services got backing from EU ministers on Tuesday, who called for the European Commission and regulators to check on telecom operators that do so. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/13/voice-over-internet-companies-eu EU telecom ministers aim to end bandwidth favoritism EU ministers urged the European Commission and regulators to check on telecom operators who prioritize bandwidth for certain services, giving leverage to complaints about mobile firms around the world blocking Web-call services such as Skype. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/13/us-eu-internet-idUSTRE7BC1G920111213 Game on as Telstra trials new gaming and music services Telstra is planning to take a crack at the $2 billion-a-year video game market by launching a subscription service to allow its customers to stream the latest video games direct to their T-Box digital set-top box. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/game-on-as-telstra-trials-new-gaming-and-music-services/story-fn91v9q3-1226220314048 Regulator says Canada's BCE must share mobile-phone sports BCE Inc, Canada's largest telecom company and owner of its biggest private broadcaster, must make its sports content, including the Super Bowl telecast, available to rivals for distribution over mobile devices, a regulator said on Monday. http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCATRE7BB1KY20111212 Last snag to Telstra's NBN deal The competition regulator is expected to announce today a public inquiry into Telstra's dominance of the wholesale internet market, introducing one last hurdle before the telecommunications giant can sign off on its $11 billion deal with the National Broadband Network. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/last-snag-to-telstras-nbn-deal/story-e6frgaif-1226221316491 nz: Telecom's line rental charges keeping NZ voice prices up, says CommComm New Zealand?s broadband pricing is improving, but fixed line voice services cost significantly more than the OECD average, according to a report released by the Commerce Commission. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/telecoms-line-rental-charges-keeping-nz-voice-prices-up-says-commcomm NZ mobile pricing 'significantly higher' than Australia A Commerce Commission international benchmarking report has found New Zealand mobile phone plans cost a lot more than Australia's. But there's better news in fixed-line broadband. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-mobile-pricing-significantly-higher-australia-ck-106549 Kiwis overpaying for fixed-line and mobile services Fixed-line and mobile phone service pricing is higher in New Zealand compared with the rest of the OECD, although we are on target for broadband, according to a new report from the Commerce Commission. http://www.techday.co.nz/telecommunicationsreview/news/kiwis-overpaying-for-fixed-line-and-mobile-se/21738/6/ NZ broadband pricing in line with OCED: commission The Commerce Commission says broadband pricing is not significantly higher in New Zealand than in the rest of the OECD and is cheaper than in most developed countries for ''low and medium users''. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6143651/NZ-broadband-pricing-in-line-with-OCED-commission Cable & Wireless Worldwide: a call for more reinvention or break up? Gavin Darby, installed this month as chief executive of Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CWW), is keen to distance himself from the financial excesses of the previous regime, which saw senior managers take ?88m of cash out of the struggling business in just five years. During contract negotiations, Darby set a new tone, declining the offer of a chauffeur-driven car as part of his pay package. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/dec/13/cable-wireless-worldwide-break-up +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david at yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/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 FlanneryReceived on Thu Dec 15 2011 - 00:00:11 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:11 UTC