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 *************************************************** Lifting the lid on ICANN's RAA negotiations http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/02/07/raa-investigation New gTLD Application Monitoring? Now? by Elisa Cooper https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/new-gtld-application-monitoring-now/ Defending trademarks on the internet: new generic top-level domains present both opportunities and threats by Michael J. Waters and Alain Villeneuve http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7fdb77dc-a12f-4560-9b30-85a2df2b9d2e ICANN Wants Your Help Evaluating gTLD Applications http://www.domainpulse.com/?p=7726 ICANN Seeks Comment On Perceptions Of Need For Defensive gTLD Applications http://www.domainpulse.com/?p=7723 Verisign Must Reveal More about Breaches http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/blogs.php?postID=1186 Denial-of-service attacks are on the rise, anti-DDoS vendors report [IDG] http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224028/Denial_of_service_attacks_are_on_the_rise_anti_DDoS_vendors_report au: Police investigate Netfleet hack http://www.itnews.com.au/News/289320,police-investigate-netfleet-hack.aspx Australia's Reserve Bank toughens protection against DDoS http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/reverve-bank-toughens-protection-against-ddos/story-e6frgakx-1226264118957 EU to strengthen its cybersecurity watchdog [IDG] http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224076/EU_to_strengthen_its_cybersecurity_watchdog ********************** - ICANN ********************** Volunteers Sought to Help Evaluate Generic Top-Level Domain Applicants Seeking Financial Support ICANN is seeking volunteers who will assist in the evaluation of those organizations seeking financial support to apply for a new gTLD. http://www.icann.org/en/news/releases/release-07feb12-en.pdf Defensive Applications for New gTLDs Purpose (Brief): The New gTLD Program features carefully crafted, new protections for trademark owners and consumers. When considering applications for new top-level names, the process is designed to protect these important interests through independent objection and dispute resolution processes (and other processes). http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-06feb12-en.htm Lifting the lid on ICANN's RAA negotiations Starting this week and ending on 15 February when a revised Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) is expected to be published for public review, .Nxt will take you inside the secret negotiations to update the domain name system's key contract. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/02/07/raa-investigation Is ICANN Opening up Public Comment Periods in Bad Faith? by George Kirikos I read with interest that ICANN opened up yet another comment period on new TLDs. I believe that I speak for many when I question whether ICANN is opening up these comment periods in good faith, or instead whether these are smokescreens, mere distractions to pretend that ICANN is "listening" to the public while staff and insiders proceed with predetermined outcomes. http://www.circleid.com/posts/is_icann_opening_up_public_comment_periods_in_bad_faith/ What Does It Take To Repair Trust? What Will It Take ICANN To Win Back "Trust"? (Part I) by Khaled Fattal Some readers may wonder why I chose to raise the issue of "trust" now or even ask what it will take for ICANN to repair it. After all, the New gTLDs have been launched; applications have started being received, and all ICANN official announcements are that all is good and going according to plan. But many other readers and astute observers of this space, domestic and international, would not confuse the public dead silence we are hearing from ICANN and its insider community or the euphoria of the long awaited application submissions we are seeing to mean that all is perfect. http://www.circleid.com/posts/what_does_it_take_to_repair_trust_what_will_it_take_icann_to_win_back_trust/ First ICANN CEO candidate revealed Former ICANN director Njeri Rionge has emerged as a possible candidate for the soon-to-be-vacated CEO?s job. http://domainincite.com/first-icann-ceo-candidate-revealed/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** .eu spotlights online security advice in latest magazine .eu is marking tomorrow's Safer Internet Day with a new issue of its .eu Identity magazine, filled with practical online security tips for Europe's small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/eu-spotlights-online-security-advice-latest-magazine ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** New gTLD Application Monitoring? Now? by Elisa Cooper Why in the world would any company sign-up for a ?New gTLD Application Monitoring Service? when ICANN intends to publicly post all applications on May 1st? https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/new-gtld-application-monitoring-now/ Defending trademarks on the internet: new generic top-level domains present both opportunities and threats by Michael J. Waters and Alain Villeneuve On January 12, 2012, ICANN began accepting applications from organizations seeking to secure and operate new gTLDs. This development may have important ramifi cations, not only for entities who take advantage of gTLDs for branding or other purposes, but for all organizations that want to protect their trademarks. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7fdb77dc-a12f-4560-9b30-85a2df2b9d2e ICANN Wants Your Help Evaluating gTLD Applications Feeling left out of the new gTLD application process? Well then ICANN wants your help in evaluating gTLD applications from developing countries. Well, providing you meet their criteria that is. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16927 http://www.domainpulse.com/?p=7726 http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-wants-your-help-evaluating-gtld-applications.html ICANN Wants You Want to help decide which names should get a chance to become a new Internet address? The group that runs the Internet's address system has an opportunity for you. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/02/icann-wants-you.php ICANN Seeks Comment On Perceptions Of Need For Defensive gTLD Applications ICANN is becoming concerned that companies may feel they have to submit an application for a gTLD for defensive reasons when, in reality, the organisation sees little benefit for it. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16926 http://www.domainpulse.com/?p=7723 http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-seeks-comment-on-perceptions-of-need-for-defensive-gtld-applications.html ICANN gTLD Will Not Work: Ten Reasons by Naseem Javed After years of debate, ICANN started offering dot brand domains called gTLDs at USD $185,000 each. http://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/icann-gtld-will-not-work-ten-reasons-0129226 10 Reasons Why New gTLDs May Not Work For You by Naseem Javed World's mega businesses are about to wake up to the domain name expansion reality, where suddenly a name identity's exclusive ownership on global canvas of cyber branding and functionality will be ensured via gTLD. Something that traditional trademark system took years to achieve. A gTLD brand is not for everyone, structurally designed for powerful new ideas and established organizations around the world; however, following are the ten reasons why it may not work for you. http://www.circleid.com/posts/10_reasons_why_new_gtlds_may_not_work_for_you/ Dirty tricks claimed over .wine gTLD project Jean Guillon, who has been openly working on an idea for a .wine gTLD for the last few years, claims his erstwhile partner in the project has sold him out. http://domainincite.com/dirty-tricks-claimed-over-wine-gtld-project/ Copenhagen gTLD scuppered by government Plans afoot to apply for a city TLD for Copenhagen have been killed off after the Danish government saw little public support for the initiative. http://domainincite.com/copenhagen-gtld-scuppered-by-government/ ICANN worried about defensive gTLDs Why is ICANN so misunderstood? That?s the question at the heart of a public comment period into concerns about ?defensive? new gTLD applications that the organization opened up last night. http://domainincite.com/icann-worried-about-defensive-gtlds/ RIAA backs .music new gTLD bid The Recording Industry Association of America has picked a side. It?s supporting Far Further?s application for the .music gTLD, according to the company. http://domainincite.com/riaa-backs-music-new-gtld-bid/ Dyson says new gTLDs will kill the DNS Former ICANN chair Esther Dyson thinks apps and new gTLDs will cause internet users to abandon domain names. http://domainincite.com/dyson-says-new-gtlds-will-kill-the-dns/ Dot-eco bidders outline challenge of community applications [subscription] Big Room Inc, a Vancouver-based certified B-Corporation, has confirmed it will be filing a community application for gTLD dot-eco on 12 April. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/02/06/dot-eco-interview .Kyoto top level domain in the works It appears that .kyoto may be one of the location specific TLDs that will hit the web in coming years. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/02/07/kyoto-top-level-domain-in-the-works/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Verisign Must Reveal More about Breaches Verisign Inc. may have followed the letter of the law when revealing a series of breaches of its computer systems in 2010 in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission last October. But the company that assures the flow of a hefty portion of Internet traffic should have done more to ease the minds of its various constituencies. http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/blogs.php?postID=1186 Denial-of-service attacks are on the rise, anti-DDoS vendors report [IDG] Both the number and volume of distributed denial-of-service attacks are increasing, according to new reports from DDoS mitigation companies Prolexic and Arbor Networks. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224028/Denial_of_service_attacks_are_on_the_rise_anti_DDoS_vendors_report http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/414630/denial-of-service_attacks_rise_anti-ddos_vendors_report/ au: Police investigate Netfleet hack Sydney-based domain trader Netfleet has warned customers that their personal details and encrypted credit cards may have been compromised after being attacked by hackers last week. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/289320,police-investigate-netfleet-hack.aspx Law Enforcement Ups Its Game In Cybercrime It may still be a frantic game of catch-up for law enforcement, but new data quantifies anecdotal evidence that law enforcement has scored some big cybercrime busts and made inroads in detecting and investigating data breaches. http://www.darkreading.com/database-security/167901020/security/attacks-breaches/232600423/law-enforcement-ups-its-game-in-cybercrime.html Australia's Reserve Bank toughens protection against DDoS Australia's central bank has moved to bolster its resistance to a form of cyber attack that has become an increasing menace to financial institutions in recent months. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/reverve-bank-toughens-protection-against-ddos/story-e6frgakx-1226264118957 EU to strengthen its cybersecurity watchdog [IDG] A push by European authorities to strengthen the European Union's cybersecurity watchdog has been given the green light. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224076/EU_to_strengthen_its_cybersecurity_watchdog http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/020812-eu-to-stengthen-its-cybersecurity-255872.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/249521/eu_to_stengthen_its_cybersecurity_watchdog.html EU cyber-defence push wins crucial MEP vote The EU's security agency is on the way to getting more muscle to help it keep member states' cybersecurity up to scratch. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/mapping-babel-10017967/eu-cyber-defence-push-wins-crucial-mep-vote-10025372/ Cyber Security Shortchanged in US Smart Grid Push As noted in Spectrum's Energywise blog last year, cyber attacks against electric grids have been sharply rising, which makes the latest news from Inspector General of the US Department of Energy a bit worrisome (especially when combined with the findings of other recent cyber security reports). http://spectrum.ieee.org/riskfactor/energy/the-smarter-grid/cyber-security-shortchanged-in-us-smart-grid-push ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Arbitrator Rules in 1st .XXX UDRP Case An arbitrator last week ruled in the first .XXX ruling in a uniform domain name dispute resolution case, siding with San Antonio, Texas-based HEB Grocery Co. over an Atlanta resident who registered HEB.xxx. http://newswire.xbiz.com/view.php?id=144112 Grocery chain wins first .XXX UDRP case HEB Grocery Company, headquartered in San Antonio, is the first complainant to win a UDRP case for a .xxx domain name. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/02/08/heb-xxx/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** nz: Public-sector focus at Government IPv6 event Later this month, on 23 February 2012, dozens of IT professionals from across New Zealand?s public sector will convene in Wellington for the Practical IPv6 for Government conference. http://www.ipv6.org.nz/2012/02/08/public-sector-focus-at-government-ipv6-event/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Key-Systems CEO discusses Moniker and SnapNames acquisition KeyDrive?s acquisition of Moniker and SnapNames last week has shaken up the domain name investor ecosystem. I just talked to Key-Systems CEO Alexander Siffrin to better understand what this means for customers. (KeyDrive includes Key-Systems Group and NameDrive Group, as well as the recently acquired companies.) http://domainnamewire.com/2012/02/07/key-systems-ceo-moniker-snapnames-acquisition/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** With a Little Help From Albert Einstein, Warren Royal Once Again Demonstrates the Power of a Category Defining Domain Name Domain investors have always preached the value of a category defining .com domain name. Such a name provides instant credibility and web surfers often believe that a site built on an exact match .com term is the leading authority in the category they are searching. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20120207.htm ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Why Is Facebook So Successful? Psychophysiological Measures Describe a Core Flow State While Using Facebook by Maurizio Mauri, Pietro Cipresso, Anna Balgera, Marco Villamira, and Giuseppe Riva [Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking] Abstract: People are more and more using social networking sites (SNSs) like Facebook and MySpace to engage with others. The use of SNSs can have both positive and negative effect on the individual; however, the increasing use of SNSs might reveal that people look for SNSs because they have a positive experience when they use them. Few studies have tried to identify which particular aspects of the social networking experience make SNSs so successful. In this study we focus on the affective experience evoked by SNSs. http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/cyber.2010.0377 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Online Dating Study Suggests It's No Better Than Meeting At A Bar Combing dating websites for that perfect love match can be very frustrating, and a group of U.S. psychology professors released a report on Monday explaining why there is no substitute for meeting face-to-face. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/oukin-uk-internet-dating-idUKTRE8151SE20120206 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/internet-dating-idINDEE8150L620120206 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/online-dating-study-northwestern_n_1257959.html China's rate of rise in Web use falls to decade low The Chinese mainland still lags behind Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and some other economies in Web use despite recent official statistics showing it already has more than 500 million netizens. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-02/06/c_131393764.htm ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook faces uphill battle to crack China As social networking giant Facebook heads toward a stock market listing its revenue figures have been made public, along with some of the its future strategies. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-08/facebook-faces-uphill-battle-to-crack-into-china/3818520 Facebook's Mobility Challenge Lots of people love their cellphones. Facebook, so far, is not a big fan. Amid the jaw-dropping financial figures the company revealed last week when it filed for a public offering was an interesting admission. Although more than half of its 845 million members log into Facebook on a mobile device, the company has not yet found a way to make real money from that use. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/06/technology/facebooks-mobility-challenge.html Facebook Users Ask, 'Where's Our Cut?' By my calculation, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's founder and chief executive, owes me about $50. Without me, and the other 844,999,999 people poking, liking and sharing on the site, Facebook would look like a scene from the postapocalyptic movie "The Day After Tomorrow": bleak, desolate and really quite sad. (Or MySpace, if that is easier to imagine.) Facebook surely would never be valued at anything close to $100 billion, which it very well could be in its coming initial public offering. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/disruptions-facebook-users-ask-wheres-our-cut/ Deleted Facebook photos still lurking on internet Pictures users have deleted from Facebook months or even years ago may still exist, it has been revealed. http://mashable.com/2012/02/06/deleted-facebook-pictures-still-exist/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/6376440/Deleted-Facebook-photos-still-lurking-on-internet www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/deleted-facebook-photos-still-lurking-on-internet-20120207-1r2h9.html www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/deleted-facebook-photos-still-lurking-on-internet-20120207-1r2h9.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** A New Net: startup reinventing computer networking to make internet services smarter, faster, and cheaper In 2003 Mart?n Casado found himself with no small challenge on his hands: he needed to reinvent the technology that underpins the Internet. It had been developed decades earlier and was proving unsuited to an era of cyberwarfare. http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/39631/ ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* Safer Internet Day 2012, linking up generations for a safer digital world On Safer Internet Day tomorrow, 7th February, more than 100 events in 30 European countries will encourage children, their families and teachers, to discover the digital world together. This is the ninth annual Safer Internet Day, celebrated in more than 70 countries worldwide as part of a global drive to promote safer Internet for children and young people. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/67 Growing alarm over child porn epidemic Child pornography use has reached epidemic proportions in Australia, as paedophiles increasingly record themselves molesting children before swapping the images with other abusers, federal police have warned. http://www.theage.com.au/national/child-porn-use-out-of-control-20120207-1r5m8.html http://www.smh.com.au/national/growing-alarm-over-child-porn-epidemic-20120207-1r667.html Police fear child porn epidemic in Australia [AAP] Child pornography is running at epidemic proportions in Australia with the abusive material being used as currency by pedophiles to buy their way into online groups, Fairfax Media says. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/child-porn-epidemic-in-australia/story-e6frf7l6-1226265300949 Parental stalking online 'unwise' PARENTS should not stalk their children online, warns Dr Danah Boyd, a leading US cyber safety expert visiting Australia to lecture on teens' online privacy. ... But Dr Boyd warns that constant parental online surveillance not only abuses teens' privacy but also obliges them to forge coded forms of communication online, using in-jokes, shared references and even song lyrics to evade parental scrutiny. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/parental-stalking-online-unwise-20120206-1r1yg.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/6377233/Parental-stalking-online-unwise http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/parental-stalking-online-unwise-20120206-1r1yg.html Interpol defends voluntary filter The Interpol "worst-of" list used by several internet service providers (ISPs) to voluntarily filter internet traffic has attracted criticism in the past, but, according to Interpol acting assistant director of cybercrime and security Michael Moran, critics need to realise that it's just one piece of the puzzle. http://www.zdnet.com.au/interpol-defends-voluntary-filter-339331360.htm uk: Hunting the Internet Bullies Online bullying is rapidly growing in size and intensity. A new breed of self-styled "trolls" are stalking social networking websites, aiming their vicious attacks at victims who range from TV celebrities to grieving teenagers. Declan Lawn meets X Factor star Cher Lloyd, who describes how cyber attacks are ruining her life, and highlights a new survey revealing that one in thirteen young people face persistent online bullying. Panorama tracks down some of the bullies and asks: what more could be done to stop them? http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01c00y3 uk: Teenager relives internet bullying Teenager Jade Sarwar knows the cruel reality of cyber bullying. She was subjected to racist cyber-bullying following a physical attack just more than 12 months ago outside a supermarket in Newton Abbot, Devon. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-16851007 uk: Revolting trolls and their cyberbullying: let's face it, this bit of social networking is broken ... Panorama's brilliant 30-minute slot last night looked at a particularly corrosive kind of persecution ? cyberbullying. With the growth of the internet and always-on connections, what once would have stopped at the school gates is now given free rein to follow us home, reach into our bedrooms, infiltrate our mobiles and harass and taunt 24 hours a day. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/jamesrhodes/100060357/revolting-trolls-and-their-cyberbullying-lets-face-it-this-bit-of-social-networking-is-broken/ uk: Not enough done to tackle cyberbullying, warns NSPCC Not enough is being done to tackle cyberbullying, according to the NSPCC. The UK's largest children's charity says better awareness has helped to address the problem. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/16915104 Safer Internet Day 2012 [news release] Safer Internet Day 2012 takes place on Tuesday 7 February this year. The day is organised by Insafe every year to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people. http://www.nspcc.org.uk/news-and-views/our-news/child-protection-news/12-02-05-safer-internet-day-2012/safer-internet-day-2012_wda80557.html Safer Internet Day focuses on Net safety for families Today is the ninth annual Safer Internet Day, a European initiative designed to "make the Internet a safer and better place." http://news.cnet.com/8301-19518_3-57372307-238/safer-internet-day-focuses-on-net-safety-for-families/ Safer Internet Day: Sorge um Smartphone-Sicherheit Verbraucherschutzministerin Aigner und Bitkom-Chef Kemf sprechen beim "Safer Internet Day" ?ber Bedrohungen durch das Internet. Vergr??ern 82 Prozent der Bundesb?rger f?hlen sich von App-Anbietern nicht ausreichend ?ber die Verwendung ihrer pers?nlichen Daten informiert, hie? es am Dienstag am Rande einer Konferenz des Bundesverbraucherschutzministeriums und des Hightech-Verbands Bitkom zum "Safer Internet Day" in Berlin. http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Safer-Internet-Day-Sorge-um-Smartphone-Sicherheit-1429658.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** More Australians switch on IPTV: Study More than 300,000 Australian households have changed channels to subscription IPTV which could pose challenges for operators such as Foxtel, according to a new study by analyst firm, Telsyte. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/414585/more_australians_switch_iptv_study/ The Piracy Problem: How Broad? When Fred Wilson, a prominent New York venture capitalist who has backed Twitter and Zynga, wanted to watch the Knicks game last month, he got an unpleasant surprise. Time Warner Cable was not showing the game because of a contract dispute. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/technology/in-piracy-debate-deciding-if-the-sky-is-falling.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Accessing the Internet by mobile device doubled in 2011, data shows Over the past 12 months, mobile access to the Internet nearly doubled to 8.5%, not counting tablets, according to data released this week by StatCounter, a Web analytics company. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/020712-mobile-webstats-255804.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/414650/accessing_internet_by_mobile_device_doubled_2011_data_shows/ http://www.pcworld.com/article/249445/accessing_the_internet_by_mobile_device_doubled_in_2011_data_show.html Nokia cuts 4,000 jobs and moves smartphone manufacturing to Asia Nokia, the world's largest mobile phone maker, is to cut 4,000 factory jobs in Finland, Hungary and Mexico as it shifts the assembly of its smartphones to Asia. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/feb/08/nokia-cuts-4000-manufacturing-jobs ********************** SPAM ********************** Canada?s anti-spam law goes too far The magnificent convenience of electronic communication should not be ruined by the nuisance known as ?spam?: the indiscriminate bombardment of people?s e-mail inboxes. But the well-intentioned act of Parliament commonly known as Canada?s anti-spam law overreaches in more than one way, unduly weighing down electronic commerce, and potentially affecting many Canadian companies ? including The Globe and Mail, in its interactions with readers. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/canadas-anti-spam-law-goes-too-far/article2329024/ ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** US copyright lawsuit targets owners of non-secure wireless networks A federal lawsuit filed in Massachusetts could test the question of whether individuals who leave their wireless networks unsecured can be held liable if someone uses the network to illegally download copyrighted content. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224003/Copyright_lawsuit_targets_owners_of_non_secure_wireless_networks uk: Internet 'fuels' radical Islam The internet plays a greater role in the violent radicalisation of Muslims than time spent in prisons and mosques, a group of MPs reported today. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/internet-fuels-radical-islam-6579552.html Regional cybercrime hubs launched across England Three police cybercrime teams have been launched as part of a ?6m regional effort to combat growing threats. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16945859 Hacker releases Symantec source code A hacker released the source code for antivirus firm Symantec's pcAnywhere utility on Tuesday, raising fears that others could find security holes in the product and attempt takeovers of customer computers. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/02/07/oukin-uk-symantec-hackers-idUKTRE8160L020120207 ********************** SECURITY ********************** Law Enforcement Ups Its Game In Cybercrime It may still be a frantic game of catch-up for law enforcement, but new data quantifies anecdotal evidence that law enforcement has scored some big cybercrime busts and made inroads in detecting and investigating data breaches. http://www.darkreading.com/database-security/167901020/security/attacks-breaches/232600423/law-enforcement-ups-its-game-in-cybercrime.html Australia's Reserve Bank toughens protection against DDoS Australia's central bank has moved to bolster its resistance to a form of cyber attack that has become an increasing menace to financial institutions in recent months. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/reverve-bank-toughens-protection-against-ddos/story-e6frgakx-1226264118957 EU to strengthen its cybersecurity watchdog [IDG] A push by European authorities to strengthen the European Union's cybersecurity watchdog has been given the green light. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224076/EU_to_strengthen_its_cybersecurity_watchdog http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/020812-eu-to-stengthen-its-cybersecurity-255872.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/249521/eu_to_stengthen_its_cybersecurity_watchdog.html EU cyber-defence push wins crucial MEP vote The EU's security agency is on the way to getting more muscle to help it keep member states' cybersecurity up to scratch. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/mapping-babel-10017967/eu-cyber-defence-push-wins-crucial-mep-vote-10025372/ Cyber Security Shortchanged in US Smart Grid Push As noted in Spectrum's Energywise blog last year, cyber attacks against electric grids have been sharply rising, which makes the latest news from Inspector General of the US Department of Energy a bit worrisome (especially when combined with the findings of other recent cyber security reports). http://spectrum.ieee.org/riskfactor/energy/the-smarter-grid/cyber-security-shortchanged-in-us-smart-grid-push ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Privacy concerns grow in India The Indian government's recent announcement that it taps nearly 300 new phones every day has sparked a debate about privacy in a country that traditionally views such concerns as an ugly offshoot of Western individualism. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/privacy-concerns-grow-in-india/2012/01/26/gIQAyM0UmQ_story.html EPIC sues FTC over Google privacy plan [IDG] The Electronic Privacy Information Center has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, asking a court to force the agency to take action against Google over planned changes in the company's collection of personal data. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224092/EPIC_sues_FTC_over_Google_privacy_plan Google Still On Defensive Over Privacy Changes As Google continues to struggle to defend its changes to its privacy policies, the company could see the whole controversy shift to a federal court. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/02/google-still-on-defensive-over.php ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Google, Facebook remove content as India threatens lawsuits for offending religious sentiments [AP] Google India has removed web pages deemed offensive to Indian political and religious leaders to comply with a court case that has raised censorship fears in the world's largest democracy, media reported Monday. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/google-facebook-remove-content-as-india-threatens-lawsuits-for-offending-religious-sentiments/2012/02/06/gIQAJjUntQ_story.html Google and Facebook block content in India after court warns of crackdown [Reuters] Google and Facebook have removed content from some Indian websites after a court warned that India would crack down "like China" if they did not take steps to protect religious sensibilities. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/06/google-facebook-india Google removes offensive webpages as ordered by Indian court Google has told a trial court in the Indian capital that it has removed certain offensive webpages from the web in compliance with the court's order, local media reported Tuesday. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2012-02/07/c_131395986.htm Internet Freedom Could Turn on 'Middle Countries' [CIO] With so much attention focused on online censorship in highly restrictive countries such as China, Iran and Syria, the discussion of global Internet freedom often has tended to exclude the large class of more moderate nations with rapidly growing online populations with only a rudimentary set of laws and policies for the Web. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/020712-internet-freedom-could-turn-on-255847.html Net freedom experts disagree on Twitter censorship Experts were split Tuesday on whether Twitter's new policy to allow country-specific censorship represents a fundamental failure to protect free speech, or is simply the price of doing business globally. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120207_2111.php ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** us: Researcher: 'Truly Heinous' Copyright Laws Undermine Internet Freedom Supporters of increased anti-piracy efforts, including the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act, are the "greatest threat" to Internet freedom in the United States, a former Federal Trade Commission official said on Tuesday. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/02/researcher-truly-heinous-copyr.php Opposition to ACTA swells in Europe [IDG] A British member of the European Parliament has been given the job of evaluating the controversial ACTA agreement as more European countries shy away from the intellectual-property treaty. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/020712-opposition-to-acta-swells-in-255831.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/249456/opposition_to_acta_swells_in_europe.html ACTA protests lead EU Governments to suspend endorsement of the text Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have announced that they will delay their endorsement of a controversial trade agreement following a tide of public protest. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/february/acta-protests-lead-eu-governments-to-suspend-endorsement-of-the-text/ Europeans Protest Anti-Piracy Treaty Internet users and government officials in many European countries have been protesting an anti-Internet piracy and intellectual property treaty known as the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) with increasing volume. http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/39655/ uk: New code of conduct should require ISPs to take down radical extremist content, MPs say The Government should help UK internet service providers (ISPs) draw up new rules requiring them to proactively remove radical extremist content posted online, a committee of MPs has said. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/february/new-code-of-conduct-should-require-isps-to-take-down-radical-extremist-content-mps-say/ nz: Megaupload interest a mixed blessing for Pirate Party The Pirate Party of New Zealand (PPNZ) says it is wary that the Megaupload controversy might generate superficial interest in the party?s policies and attract approaches from insufficiently committed new members. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/megaupload-interest-a-mixed-blessing-for-pirate-party ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Kiwi game industry worth more than $179.6m Sales of gaming software, hardware and peripherals in New Zealand generated $179.6 million in 2011. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/6391013/Kiwi-game-industry-worth-more-than-179-6m ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** au: Telco customer code goes to the regulator The Communications Alliance has submitted its revised telecommunications consumer protection code (TCP code) to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), but the code has been rejected by a peak consumer action body. http://www.zdnet.com.au/telco-customer-code-goes-to-the-regulator-339331190.htm NBN Co inks $620m satellite deal The NBN Co has inked $620 million contract with joint-venture Space Systems- Loral to provide broadband services to remote Australia. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/nbn-co-inks-620m-satellite-deal/story-e6frgakx-1226265629034 Faster internet for people in remote Australia The company responsible for the National Broadband Network will launch two satellites to provide fast internet to the remotest parts of the country. http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201202/s3425774.htm nz: TelstraClear absorbs revenue decline ... One example is the experiment the telco ran in December last year in which it switched off its meters for a weekend to allow customers to download as much data as they liked. Some outages followed as users leapt to take advantage of the offer, but while InternetNZ labelled the promo ?disastrous?, TelstraClear said many customers were happy to trade speed for volume. http://www.techday.co.nz/telecommunicationsreview/news/telstraclear-absorbs-revenue-decline/21972/6/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2012 --------- 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 Feb 09 2012 - 02:48:27 UTC
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