[DNS] domain name news - 17 December

[DNS] domain name news - 17 December

From: David Goldstein <david>
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:10:36 +1100
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The domain name news is supported by auDA

 

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Message, if Murky, From U.S. to the World

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/technology/in-a-huff-a-telling-us-walkout.
html

 

U.S. Rejects Telecommunications Treaty

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/technology/14iht-treaty14.html

 

The fight to keep a state-free internet

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/22b57874-4607-11e2-b780-00144feabdc0.html

 

What really happened in Dubai? by Milton Mueller

http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/12/13/what-really-happened-in-dubai/

 

Riches draw attention to internet groups: As countries struggle, the big
success of companies such as Google has become hard to ignore

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d7d35390-447f-11e2-932a-00144feabdc0.html

 

US, UK and Canada refuse to sign UN's internet treaty

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20717774

 

Internet humbles UN telecoms agency

http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/12/14/internet-humbles-un-telecoms-a

 

Australia holds out on UN internet treaty

http://www.afr.com/p/technology/australia_holds_out_on_un_internet_5XmRxZ8or
wqIhX12CjBs2H

 

Australia walks away from WCIT treaty

http://www.zdnet.com/au/australia-walks-away-from-wcit-treaty-7000008783/

 

Concluding the Series of Trademark Clearinghouse Meetings by Fadi Chehad?

http://blog.icann.org/2012/12/concluding-the-series-of-trademark-clearinghou
se-meetings/

 

Another deadline missed in registrar contract talks

http://domainincite.com/11332-another-deadline-missed-in-registrar-contract-
talks

 

Chehade kicks off massive Whois review

http://domainincite.com/11320-chehade-kicks-off-massive-whois-review

 

Nominet's plans to launch the .uk domain ? good or bad for UK business?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media-network/media-network-blog/2012/dec/13/nomin
et-plans-direct-uk-domain

 

What You Need to Know about the Prioritization Draw, Plus a New gTLD Video
Series from FairWinds

http://www.gtldstrategy.com/technical-details-vendor-advice/what-you-need-to
-know-about-the-prioritization-draw-plus-a-new-gtld-video-series-from-fairwi
nds

 

New Research to Shape Your New gTLD Plans

http://www.gtldstrategy.com/marketing-strategies/new-research-to-shape-your-
new-gtld-plans

 

Seven new gTLD applications withdrawn, two after GAC Early Warnings

http://domainincite.com/11313-seven-new-gtld-applications-withdrawn-two-afte
r-gac-early-warnings

 

Deloitte confirmed as first Trademark Clearinghouse provider

http://domainincite.com/11309-deloitte-confirmed-as-first-trademark-clearing
house-provider

 

Cybersquatters or Entrepreneurs ? At What Point is Intervention Appropriate?
by Mark Perry [New Zealand Business Law Quarterly 1998]

http://ssrn.com/abstract=2187199

 

 

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GOVERNANCE

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Message, if Murky, From U.S. to the World

At the global treaty conference on telecommunications here, the United
States got most of what it wanted. But then it refused to sign the document
and left in a huff. ... But even Mr. Kramer acknowledged that his real
concerns were less tangible, saying it was the ?normative? tone of the
debate that had mattered most. The United States and its allies, in other
words, saw a chance to use the treaty conference to make a strong statement
about the importance of Internet freedom. But by refusing to sign the treaty
and boycotting the closing ceremony, they made clear that even to talk about
the appearance of global rules for cyberspace was a nonstarter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/technology/in-a-huff-a-telling-us-walkout.
html

 

U.S. Rejects Telecommunications Treaty

Talks on a proposed treaty governing international telecommunications
collapsed in acrimony on Thursday when the United States rejected the
agreement on the eve of its scheduled signing, citing an inability to
resolve an impasse over the Internet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/technology/14iht-treaty14.html

 

The fight to keep a state-free internet

The first gathering of world governments to debate the future of the
internet has ended in dramatic discord, with 55 member states of a UN body
refusing to sign a global treaty on international telecommunications. The
collapse of the talks marks just the first battle in what will be an
enduring global contest to define the governance and control of the internet
in the 21st century.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/22b57874-4607-11e2-b780-00144feabdc0.html

 

Internet regulation seen at national level as treaty talks fail

The world's major Internet companies, backed by U.S. policymakers, got much
of what they wanted last week when many nations refused to sign a global
telecommunications treaty that opponents feared could lead to greater
government control over online content and communications.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/17/uk-telecoms-treaty-fail-idUKBRE8BG0
0I20121217

 

ITU Director General ?Surprised? By U.S. Dissent On New Telecoms Treaty,
Says Internet And Content Issues Are Not In There

The director general of the ITU today spoke of his surprise and
disappointment with the U.S., UK and other nations walking out of a vote to
approve a new UN telecoms treaty, the first update to international
regulation of the industry in 24 years. The treaty has been charged with
controversy over questions of how it would approach Internet provisioning
and freedom of speech, with several parties weighing in before and during
the UN meeting in Dubai to make their positions known.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/14/itu-director-general-surprised-by-u-s-disse
nt-on-new-telecoms-treaty-says-internet-and-content-issues-are-not-in-there/

 

What really happened in Dubai? by Milton Mueller

When I stopped monitoring the WCIT process around 5:30 pm (CET) December 13,
it appeared that the delegations were attempting to finalize something very
close to a consensus document. The almost-final draft of the ITRs that I
reviewed at that time did not mention the Internet by name at all ? a
victory for Internet defenders. The all-important Article 9, under which
most international Internet interconnections are made, had not been
significantly altered. There was no language about cybersecurity. There may
have been a few subtleties here or there that were not perfect, but on the
whole this was a set of ITRs that could have been passed.

http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/12/13/what-really-happened-in-dubai/

 

The U.N. Isn?t Regulating the Internet?but Governments Still Exert Control

Is the U.N. now somehow regulating the Internet now that its International
Telecommunications Union?after a two week meeting in Dubai that centered
largely on whether it should include the Internet in its telephone-centric
regulations?has today declared the existence of a new global telecom treaty?

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/508886/the-un-isnt-regulating-the-inter
net-but-governments-still-exert-control/

 

After WCIT: Some observers fear content proposals [IDG]

Expect no major changes to the functioning of the Internet in the coming
months after a controversial ending to the ITU's WCIT, but an agreement
hammered out there may encourage countries to censor Web content in the
longer term, participants and observers said.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/121412-after-wcit-some-observers-fear-
265136.html

 

How the UN's 'Game-Changing' Internet Treaty Failed

Did you know that, for the past two weeks, the future of the Internet has
been at stake? Yes, it has. Those two weeks hosted the WCIT (also hosted,
technically, by Dubai). And they hosted, as well, a fairly dramatic face-off
-- often between blocs led by Iran, Russia, and China and blocs led by the
United States, the UK, and Canada. The purpose of the summit? To rewrite a
multilateral communications treaty (official name: International
Telecommunications Regulations) that has been the official governing
document of the Internet since the late 1980s. The treaty, if passed with a
meaningful consensus, could have significantly altered the way the Internet
is governed -- and, therefore, it could have significantly altered the
Internet itself.

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/12/how-the-uns-game-chang
ing-internet-treaty-failed/266263/

 

Riches draw attention to internet groups: As countries struggle, the big
success of companies such as Google has become hard to ignore

What do a spat over the taxes that Google and Amazon pay in the UK and a
multinational conference on the internet taking place in Dubai have in
common?

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d7d35390-447f-11e2-932a-00144feabdc0.html

 

US, UK and Canada refuse to sign UN's internet treaty

The US, Canada and UK have refused to sign an international communications
treaty at a conference in Dubai. The three countries had objected to calls
for all states to have equal rights to the governance of the internet.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20717774

 

Talks on Internet treaty fail as U.S. bloc won't sign

An attempt by national governments to establish a worldwide policy for
oversight of the Internet collapsed on Thursday after many Western countries
said a compromise plan gave too much power to United Nations and other
officials.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/uk-telecom-treaty-us-idUKBRE8BC1AZ2
0121214

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/telecom-treaty-us-idINDEE8BC0FU2012
1214

 

U.N. summit implodes as U.S., others spurn Internet treaty

In a stunning repudiation of a United Nations summit, an alliance of Western
democracies including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada
today rejected a proposed treaty over concerns it hands repressive
governments too much authority over the Internet.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57559034-38/u.n-summit-implodes-as-u.s-oth
ers-spurn-internet-treaty/

 

U.S. Intervention at the WCIT: statement delivered by Ambassador Terry
Kramer from the floor of the WCIT on December 13, 2012 in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates.

Mr. Chairman, as Head of the U.S. Delegation, I wanted to start out and
thank you for your tireless work and leadership. Your personal commitment to
a successful outcome here is very impressive. However, I do need to say that
it is with a heavy heart and a sense of missed opportunities that the U.S.
must communicate that it is not able to sign the agreement in the current
form.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/12/202037.htm

 

No change to telecoms and internet governance - EU Member States amongst
dozens not signing proposed new International Telecommunications Regulations
(ITR) Treaty, remain 100% committed to open internet

Delegates from the 193 member countries of the ITU have concluded the WCIT
conference in Dubai. Negotiations to review the International
Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) failed to reach consensus agreement.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-991_en.htm

 

WCIT Split After Split ?Vote? On Internet Governance Resolution

A mere resolution, not part of the future International Telecommunication
Regulations (ITR), led to yet another escalation at the ongoing WCIT in
Dubai last night.

http://www.ip-watch.org/2012/12/13/wcit-split-after-split-vote-on-internet-g
overnance-resolution/

 

Internet humbles UN telecoms agency

Having turned industries and governments upside down, the Internet has
claimed its first organizational scalp, subjecting the UNs' ITU to a
humiliating failure at the WCIT in Dubai earlier today.

http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/12/14/internet-humbles-un-telecoms-a

 

WCIT... In Conclusion by Fadi Chehad?

Friends and colleagues, Today marks the end of the lengthy WCIT conference
in Dubai. I am sure you along with most of our community have been watching
events carefully. As you know, Steve Crocker and I were invited to attend
the opening ceremony two weeks ago, and I was invited to speak. I used this
opportunity to engage with the many delegations in Dubai in support of our
remarkable multistakeholder model. I was pleased that we received public
assurances from ITU Secretary General Dr. Hamadoun Tour? that neither
Internet resources nor ICANN would be the subject of the WCIT treaty.

http://blog.icann.org/2012/12/wcit-in-conclusion/

https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/2/page/1/articles/18257

 

Remarks by Fadi Chehad? | Opening Ceremony at the 7th Annual IGF Meeting |
Baku | 6 Nov 2012

Remarks by Fadi Chehad? at the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Annual Meeting of
the Internet Governance Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan | 6 Nov 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9xCD-tRjfY

 

Fadi Chehad? Addresses WCIT Opening Ceremony in Dubai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6398OvNQg7Q

 

The highlights and low points of WCIT

One thing that everyone could agree on in the build-up to the WCIT was that
anything could happen during the two weeks in Dubai.

http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/12/14/highlights-and-low-points-wcit

 

Editorial: Who rules the Internet?

The U.N. agency that oversees phone, radio and satellite communications last
week stopped short of fragmenting the Internet into national fiefdoms.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-itu-united-nations-inte
rnet-20121216,0,6253388.story

 

Global telecom treaty without Net controls signed by 89 nations

An international telecommunications treaty signed by 89 countries out of a
possible 144 on Friday will have little impact on how carriers operate or
how consumers surf the web or make calls around the world when it comes into
effect in 2015.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/telecom-treaty-idINDEE8BD0CA2012121
4

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/uk-telecom-treaty-idUKBRE8BD17U2012
1214

 

The UN's telecom conference is finally over. Who won? Nobody knows. Vint
Cerf says, "The good guys did not win," while ITU head dismisses concern.

After two weeks of negotiations, the delegates at the WCIT-12, or ?wicket
twelve?, in Dubai produced a 30-page document that 89 countries have
signed?except the United States and many allies. So the good guys won,
right? It depends who you ask.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/the-uns-telecom-conference-is-fin
ally-over-who-won-nobody-knows/

 

After WCIT: Some observers fear content proposals [IDG]

Expect no major changes to the functioning of the Internet in the coming
months after a controversial ending to the ITU's WCIT, but an agreement
hammered out there may encourage countries to censor Web content in the
longer term, participants and observers said.

http://www.cio.com/article/723978/After_WCIT_Some_observers_fear_content_pro
posals

http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/444689/after_wcit_some_observers_fea
r_content_proposals/

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234723/After_WCIT_Some_observers_fea
r_content_proposals

http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/after-wcit-some-observers-fear-cont
ent-proposals

 

Why the ITU is the wrong place to set Internet standards

There has been a lot of heated rhetoric about the WCIT, which is wrapping up
its meeting in Dubai this week. Last week, the US Congress unanimously
declared its opposition to giving the UN body increased control over the
Internet. Congress is prone to making melodramatic gestures, but even more
sober-minded entities such as Google and Mozilla seem to agree that WCIT is
a danger to the open Internet.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/why-the-itu-is-the-wrong-place-to
-set-internet-standards/

 

U.S. Snubs U.N. Telecom Treaty With Rest Of West At Dubai Conference [AP]

A disappointed American delegation led a Western snub of a U.N.
telecommunications treaty Thursday after rivals, including Iran and China,
won support for provisions interpreted as endorsing greater government
control of the Internet.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/us-un-telecom-treaty_n_2296442.html

 

The Masters of the Internet by Timothy Karr, Campaign Director, Free Press
and SavetheInternet.com

Who controls the Internet? That question rests uneasily at the center of
debates this week at the WCIT in Dubai.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/the-masters-of-the-intern_b_22918
55.html

 

ITU sneaks in middle-of-night resolution to hijack Internet governance

Here we go again. I told you the forces of darkness would be back, in their
attempt to hijack the Internet and impose authoritarian controls. I just
didn't expect it to be so quickly -- and actually in the dark of night.

http://www.zdnet.com/itu-sneaks-in-middle-of-night-resolution-to-hijack-inte
rnet-governance-7000008753/

 

The Dark Side Of Tomorrow's 'Internet Treaty'

Believe it or not, the world has come to believe the United Nations should
take a greater role in how the Internet is governed.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2012/12/13/the-dark-side-of-tomorrows
-internet-treaty/

 

Australia holds out on UN internet treaty

The federal government will refuse to ratify a revised United Nations treaty
on telecommunications, amid fears the revised document would allow greater
regulation of the internet.

http://www.afr.com/p/technology/australia_holds_out_on_un_internet_5XmRxZ8or
wqIhX12CjBs2H

 

Australia walks away from WCIT treaty

Australia will follow in the footsteps of the US and the UK by rejecting the
last minute revised international telecommunications treaty.

http://www.zdnet.com/au/australia-walks-away-from-wcit-treaty-7000008783/

 

Canada among countries refusing to sign WCIT treaty

Canada, the United States and a number of other countries have hung up on a
global telecom summit.

http://www.itworldcanada.com/news/canada-among-countries-refusing-to-sign-wc
it-treaty/146498

 

NZ joins US, other Western nations in rejecting UN control of internet

New Zealand refused to sign a treaty that would have given the United
Nations' control of much of the nternet, ICT Amy Adams confirmed this
afternoon.

http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/nz-will-vote-against-un-taking-control-internet

 

NZ spurns global internet treaty update

New Zealand refused to sign a controversial global treaty on telecom
regulations.

http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-spurns-global-internet-treaty-update/tabid/1607/ar
ticleID/280522/Default.aspx

 

Australia says no to revised internet treaty

Communications minister Stephen Conroy has confirmed that Australia will not
be sign a revised international telecommunications treaty, citing the
potential of the treaty to change the way the internet operates.

http://www.technologyspectator.com.au/australia-says-no-revised-internet-tre
aty

 

Confusion on internet future at UN [AFP]

The freewheeling, unregulated internet seemed to survive a push for new
rules at a United Nations treaty meeting, but the collapse of talks leaves
unanswered questions about the web?s future.

http://afr.com/p/technology/confusion_on_internet_future_at_Z2sITvDjrWSQ09fu
JzVSVM

 

Internet regulation seen at national level as treaty talks fail

The world's major Internet companies, backed by US policymakers, got much of
what they wanted last week when many nations refused to sign a global
telecommunications treaty that opponents feared could lead to greater
government control over online content and communications.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/internet-regulation-seen-a
t-national-level-as-treaty-talks-fail/articleshow/17645391.cms

 

India, US reject Internet regulation

India joined the US in opposing rules that would give governments control
over the Internet as an international split over Web regulation divides a
United Nations conference in Dubai.

http://www.livemint.com/Industry/3gtX8BWmMEaIfNyCfFI7xL/UN-group-gives-nod-f
or-greater-Internet-oversight.html

 

Internet Society Disappointed over Fundamental Divides at WCIT: Statement
from the CEO and President, Lynn St. Amour

The Internet Society, like other participants at the WCIT, came to this
conference looking for a successful outcome. We were hopeful that it would
result in a treaty that would enable growth, further innovation, and advance
interoperability in international telecommunications. It was extremely
important that this treaty not extend to content, or implicitly or
explicitly undermine the principles that have made the Internet so
beneficial.

http://www.internetsociety.org/news/internet-society-disappointed-over-funda
mental-divides-world-conference-international

 

New global telecoms treaty agreed in Dubai - WCIT forges solid new framework
for tomorrow?s hyper-connected world

After two intensive weeks of negotiations, delegates from around the world
have agreed a new global treaty that will help pave the way to a
hyper-connected world that will bring the power of information and
communication technologies (ICTs) to people everywhere.

http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/92.aspx

 

Newly revised technology regulations represent ?win? for consumers ? UN
official

Delegates from over 160 countries meeting in Dubai have finished drafting
the text of a revised global treaty that sets out general principles for
assuring the free flow of information worldwide, the UNs ITU announced
today.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43769

 

Resolution ?adopted? amid general confusion

During last night?s session of the WCIT, which ended very late, conference
chair Mohammed Nasser Al Ghanim proposed a ?Resolution to foster an enabling
environment for the greater growth of the Internet? that would reinforce the
ITU?s role in Internet governance.

http://en.rsf.org/internet-s-future-at-stake-at-itu-10-12-2012,43776.html

 

Is WCIT Failure the Start of a Digital Cold War? by St?phane Van Gelder

This was never part of the plan. Going into the Dubai WCIT two weeks ago,
there was optimism aplenty. After weeks of online and media campaigning,
proponents of a free Internet had managed to scare everyone into thinking
that WCIT was tantamount to digital Armageddon. This had the effect of
defusing the conference before it even started, or so it seemed.

http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121214_is_wcit_failure_the_start_of_a_digita
l_cold_war/

 

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DOMAIN NAMES

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- ICANN

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Concluding the Series of Trademark Clearinghouse Meetings by Fadi Chehad?

Today I convened the final informational call to close off the series of
stakeholder meetings on implementing the Trademark Clearinghouse. I shared
the following updates:

http://blog.icann.org/2012/12/concluding-the-series-of-trademark-clearinghou
se-meetings/

 

Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services Launched

Fadi Chehad?, ICANN's President and CEO, is announcing the creation of an
Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services. This first step in
fulfilling the ICANN Board's directive to help redefine the purpose and
provision of gTLD registration data will provide a foundation to help the
ICANN community (through the Generic Names Supporting Organization, GNSO)
create a new global policy for gTLD directory services.

http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-14dec12-en.htm

 

Leader Named for Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services

ICANN's President and CEO, Fadi Chehad?, is launching a comprehensive effort
to examine and redefine the purpose and provision of gTLD registration data
(referred to as "WHOIS"). As part of this strategic initiative, an expert
working group will be created to provide a foundation for the ICANN
community to create (through the Generic Names Supporting Organization,
GNSO) a new global policy for gTLD directory services.

http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-14dec12-en.htm

 

RAA Negotiations Update ? December 2012

Over many months of negotiations, ICANN and the Registrars have made
significant progress in negotiating the 12 recommendations from law
enforcement authorities on improvements to the Registrar Accreditation
Agreement.

http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-14dec12-en.htm

 

Advisory ? D-root is changing its IPv4 address on 3 January 2013

We are passing on this announcement from our colleagues at the University of
Maryland, regarding a change to the IPv4 address to one of the DNS root
servers.

http://blog.icann.org/2012/12/d-root/

 

ALAC Statement on the IDN Variant TLD Program ? Interim Report Examining the
User Experience Implications of Active Variant TLDs

Edmon Chung, At-Large member from the Asian, Australasian and Pacific
Islands Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO) and the ALAC IDN Policy
Liaison, composed an initial draft of this Statement after discussion of the
topic within At-Large and on the Mailing Lists.

https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/2/page/1/articles/18256

 

New gTLD Video Update: The GAC | 13 Nov 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPHx87hysr0

 

Another deadline missed in registrar contract talks

ICANN and domain name registrars will fail to agree on a new Registrar
Accreditation Agreement by the end of the year, ICANN has admitted.

http://domainincite.com/11332-another-deadline-missed-in-registrar-contract-
talks

 

Chehade kicks off massive Whois review

ICANN has started the ball rolling on its potentially radical rethink of how
Whois works with formation of a new ?Expert Working Group? tasked with
examining the issue.

http://domainincite.com/11320-chehade-kicks-off-massive-whois-review

 

ICANN drops .jobs shut-down threat

ICANN has withdrawn his breach notice against .jobs registry Employ Media,
opening the floodgates for third-party job listings services in the gTLD.

http://domainincite.com/11324-icann-drops-jobs-shut-down-threat

 

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- ccTLD & gTLD NEWS

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83% success rate for claims involving domain names created 3 to 6 months

Afnic highlights the Syreli procedure in this month?s issue of its Domain
Name Industry Report.

http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/6521/show/83-success-ra
te-for-claims-involving-domain-names-created-3-to-6-months.html

 

fr: Domain name professionals, take part in the 2013 Registrar-Atlas Survey

ECO, the Association of the German Internet Industry, is launching its third
market study for domain name professionals, with the support of Afnic.

http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/6504/show/domain-name-p
rofessionals-take-part-in-the-2013-registrar-atlas-survey.html

 

nl: Final report on Domain Name Debate 2012 now available

On 28 September, SIDN organised the Domain Name Debate 2012 at the
Koninklijke Schouwburg theatre in The Hague. A provisional report on the
debate was produced and comments invited between 22 October and 20 November.
The report has since been edited to take account of the comments received,
and the finalised version is now available.

https://www.sidn.nl/en/news/news/article/eindrapport-domeinnaamdebat-2012-be
schikbaar-1/

 

.pw: A leader in trademark protection? by Kate Moran of TM.Biz, .PW?s
trademark validation agent.

As you may know, on December 3rd .pw (the ccTLD for Palau) kicked off its
sunrise offering. It is a relaunch of a country-code to the general public ?
however, equally noteable is that it is one of the first TLDs to deploy some
of the advanced Rights Protection Mechanisms currently being debated by the
ICANN community.

http://www.domainnamenews.com/legal-issues/pw-a-leader-in-trademark-protecti
on/22106

 

.XXX, One Year Later

Amidst ongoing legal challenges and an orchestrated campaign to squelch
legitimate discourse on the topic ? including examples of an irrational
hatred punctuated by countless excretory images posted to discussion threads
on industry forums ? the .XXX initiative is rapidly approaching the first
anniversary of its rollout, and despite the fears of opponents, little has
changed for the industry at large.

http://www.xbiz.com/articles/157598

 

xxx: ICM seizes on Google?s porn algorithm change

Grasping the opportunity for a bit of easy publicity, ICM Registry has
seized upon a recent Google algorithm change to promote its .xxx gTLD?s
brand.

http://domainincite.com/11317-icm-seizes-on-googles-porn-algorithm-change

 

Nominet's plans to launch the .uk domain ? good or bad for UK business?

Do you have plans to purchase a .co.uk domain for your business? Adam
Grunwerg thinks you might want to think again

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media-network/media-network-blog/2012/dec/13/nomin
et-plans-direct-uk-domain

 

uk: Nominet appoints Chief Operating Officer and publishes November
Communique

We are pleased to announce that Eleanor Bradley has been appointed to the
role of Chief Operating Officer. In recognition of the breadth of her new
responsibilities, Eleanor has joined the Nominet Board taking a seat that
was previously vacant. 

http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/nominet-appoints-chief-operating-offic
er-and-publishes-november-communique

 

**********************

- NEW TLDS

**********************

What You Need to Know about the Prioritization Draw, Plus a New gTLD Video
Series from FairWinds

Today kicks off the sale of tickets for ICANN?s Prioritization Draw in Los
Angeles, California. The sale will continue until the morning of Monday,
December 17. The Draw will take place later that day.

http://www.gtldstrategy.com/technical-details-vendor-advice/what-you-need-to
-know-about-the-prioritization-draw-plus-a-new-gtld-video-series-from-fairwi
nds

 

New Research to Shape Your New gTLD Plans

New gTLDs are on track to begin delegating into the Root Zone as soon as the
second quarter of next year. With the first launches fast approaching, brand
owners and other new gTLDs applicants have been gathering information in
order to form strategies and make decisions about how they will use and
market their new gTLDs. But a crucial piece of information has been missing
? until now, that is.

http://www.gtldstrategy.com/marketing-strategies/new-research-to-shape-your-
new-gtld-plans

 

Seven new gTLD applications withdrawn, two after GAC Early Warnings

Seven more new gTLD applications have been officially withdrawn from the
ICANN evaluation process, two of which were recently hit with governmental
warnings, bringing the total to 13.

http://domainincite.com/11313-seven-new-gtld-applications-withdrawn-two-afte
r-gac-early-warnings

 

Deloitte confirmed as first Trademark Clearinghouse provider

ICANN has signed a contract with Deloitte, making the company the first
official trademark validation agent for the forthcoming new gTLDs Trademark
Clearinghouse.

http://domainincite.com/11309-deloitte-confirmed-as-first-trademark-clearing
house-provider

 

Complaint filed over gTLD trademark meetings

The ombudsman at ICANN has received a complaint about two recent meetings
covering rights protection under the gTLD programme.

http://www.worldipreview.com/newsstory.asp?ID=60

 

New gTLD Program Update

Over the past four-plus years, MarkMonitor has been closely following and
actively participating in the development of ICANN?s New gTLD Program. We
have advocated passionately for the addition of improved Rights Protection
Mechanisms and we are dedicated to providing accurate and unbiased
information about the program to all our clients.

https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/new-gtld-program-update/

 

How to Resolve Multiple Applications for the Same gTLD ? with Monte Cahn

Uncertainty associated with the process of applying for new gTLDs is
frustrating, even more so when multiple applicants are vying for the same
gTLD, and unfortunately that ambiguity continues to be commonplace.

http://www.domainsherpa.com/monte-cahn-rightofthedot-interview/

 

Bilingual Welsh & English Customer Support Service for dotCymru and dotWales
gTLDs

We are currently consulting on the policies that will determine how the
proposed new Welsh gTLDs (.cymru and .wales) will work.

http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/bilingual-welsh-english-customer-suppo
rt-service-dotcymru-and-dotwales-gtlds

 

Is the .XXX Domain the Playbook for a New Generic TLD Registry?

Launched about a year ago, to plenty of questions and criticism, the .xxx
domain, operated by ICM Registry, has evolved into a totally unusual
offering in the domain name space, with a handful of unique characteristics
and what is looking more and more like a model to be emulated by the new
generic TLDs that will be arriving in the next year or two.

http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/is-the-xxx-domain-the-playbook-for-a
-new-generic-tld-registry

 

The .gay grab: Four companies want to own the new domain. Should it be for
sale?

It?s being called a digital land rush, and four companies have their sights
set on .gay. 

http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/The_gay_grab-12926.aspx

 

**********************

- DNS SECURITY

**********************

Cybersecurity Management In the States: The Emerging Role of Chief
Information Security Officers by Marilu Goodyear, Holly T. Goerdel, Shannon
Portillo & Linda Williams [2010]

Abstract: The importance of safeguarding information created and shared on
computers and the internet has increased significantly in recent years, as
society has become increasingly dependent on information technology in
government, business, and in their personal lives. Both corporations and
government have responded by creating a new role in their organizations to
lead the safeguarding efforts - chief information security officers. The
role of these officers is still under development. Do they safeguard best by
using law enforcement techniques and technological tools? Or are they more
effective if they serve as educators and try to influence the behaviors of
technology users? This report is a significant contribution to the
discussion of the roles and responsibilities of chief information security
officers (CISOs) in state governments across the United States. It
identifies both strategies and activities used by successful state CISOs,
and thereby provides a good road map to success for all state CISOs.

http://ssrn.com/abstract=2187412

 

Successful collaborative cyber security awareness raising - Large Scale
Pilot for EU SME business & citizens; two new reports launched by EU Agency
ENISA on the European Information Sharing and Alert System (EISAS)

The EU?s cyber security Agency ENISA has run a Large Scale Pilot project for
the European Information Sharing and Alerting System ? EISAS to better
prepare EU business and citizens facing cyber threats; the EISAS Large Scale
Pilot Report, details its successful actions, and identifies the
cost-effectiveness of European awareness raising collaboration, while the
EISAS Updated Roadmap foresee future actions for EISAS.

http://www.enisa.europa.eu/successful-cyber-security-awareness-raising-large
-scale-pilot-for-eu-sme-business-citizens

 

In focus: Status report 2012 on Computer Emergency Response Teams baseline
capabilities launched by EU Agency ENISA [news release]

The EU?s cyber security agency ENISA has launched two new reports: 1. The
Status Report 2012 for CERTs which provides a state-of-play overview of
national/governmental CERTs? capabilities (n/g CERTs) and concludes that the
key challenge is the diversity of capabilities across Member States in
Europe. 2. The accompanying report on updated recommendations for n/g CERTs
addresses remaining gaps and shortcomings.

http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/status-report-2012-on-certs-
baseline-capabilities-launched-by-enisa

 

Power grid operators attacked via DDoS

The internet infrastructure of 50Hertz, a power grid operator that runs 220
and 380 kilovolt transmission networks in Northern and Eastern Germany, was
attacked by unidentified criminals on 20 November. The EurActiv European
news portal reports that the CEO of 50Hertz, Boris Schucht, announced at an
event in Brussels that a botnet had hit the high voltage power grid
operator's web pages and email infrastructure with a DDoS attack.

http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Power-grid-operators-attacked-via
-DDoS-1767170.html

 

DDoS Attacks Against US Banks Peaked At 60 Gbps [IDG]

Some of the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that targeted the
websites of U.S. financial institutions this week have peaked at 60 Gbps,
according to researchers from DDoS mitigation provider Arbor Networks.

http://www.cio.com/article/723889/DDoS_Attacks_Against_US_Banks_Peaked_At_60
_Gbps

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234701/DDoS_attacks_against_U.S._ban
ks_peaked_at_60_Gbps

 

Threat of mass cyberattacks on U.S. banks is real, McAfee warns

The wave of distributed denial of service attacks that hit U.S. banks in
October was next-to-nothing compared to what could happen if cybercriminals
actually carry through with their plans for next year.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57559153-83/threat-of-mass-cyberattacks-on-
u.s-banks-is-real-mcafee-warns/

 

Massive bank cyberattack planned

Security firm McAfee on Thursday released a report warning that a massive
cyberattack on 30 U.S. banks has been planned, with the goal of stealing
millions of dollars from consumers' bank accounts.

http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/13/technology/security/bank-cyberattack-blitzkr
ieg/index.html

 

Long Shadow Of Stuxnet Inspires Custom Anti-Malware Project

Another sign of how Stuxnet is reshaping the SCADA security world: One major
global supplier and integrator in offshore drilling, subsea, and merchant
marine operations pushed for the creation of a custom malware protection
solution that better fits operationally sensitive critical infrastructure
environments.

http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/vulnerabiliti
es/240144337/long-shadow-of-stuxnet-inspires-custom-anti-malware-project.htm
l

 

Netcraft: World map of phishing attacks

Netcraft's new phishing attack map provides a real-time visualisation of the
phishiest countries in the world. Measurements are determined by using IP
address delegation information to attribute current phishing sites in our
Phishing Site Feed to countries. We then use the number of active sites
found by our Web Server Survey to calculate and display the ratio of
phishing attacks to web sites in each country.

http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2012/12/13/world-map-of-phishing-attacks.h
tml

 

Phishing Attack Trends by Country Represented in Netcraft Map

Internet research organization Netcraft has posted a new phishing attack map
that shows a real-time visual representation of the top phishing countries
in the world.

http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/phishing-attack-trends-by-country-re
presented-in-netcraft-map

 

DDoS Attacks on Major US Banks Resurface

The group that claimed responsibility for large-scale distributed
denial-of-service attacks against major U.S. banks in September and October
has carried out another flurry of attacks that are still ongoing today.

http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/ddos-attacks-major-us-banks-resurface-1214
12

 

Latest DDoS attacks on banks: A teachable moment [CSO]

The websites of major U.S. banks were attacked this week in an ongoing
campaign that reflects the changing tactics used in distributed denial of
service (DDoS) strikes, a security expert says.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/121412-latest-ddos-attacks-on-banks-26
5114.html

 

Recent botnets busted by FBI were lame, but still dangerous [CSO]

A criminal organization recently busted by law enforcement distributed
malware on Facebook using two separate botnets built from tools that are
easily found in the hacker underground, a security expert said.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020600/recent-botnets-busted-by-fbi-were-lam
e-but-still-dangerous.html

 

Training to better manage cyber-attacks. Watch the new video clip on Cyber
Europe 2012

This eight minutes video clip provides a detailed overview of how to better
the cyber cooperation, and improving the resilience of the critical
information infrastructure. This video is explaining ENISA's role and track
record in the field of international, cross-border exercises, looking at how
to test national and international communications and cyber crisis
cooperation mechanisms.

http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/news-items/watch-the-new-video-clip-on-cybe
r-europe-2012

 

MarkMonitor Q3 2012 Fraud Intelligence Report

The MarkMonitor Fraud Intelligence Report for the third quarter of 2012 is
now available. The findings are:

https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/q3-2012-fraud-intelligence-report/

 

**********************

- DOMAIN DISPUTES

**********************

Cybersquatters or Entrepreneurs ? At What Point is Intervention Appropriate?
by Mark Perry [New Zealand Business Law Quarterly 1998]

Abstract: Domain names, passing off and early approaches. 'There has been no
definitive description by the Courts of the legal nature of passing off
actions, but the thrust of the tort has been to remedy damage to the
goodwill of a business caused by the defendant?s misrepresentation.

http://ssrn.com/abstract=2187199

 

**********************

- IPv4/IPv6

**********************

India aims for move to IPv6 by 2017

Moving aggressively on path of broadband revolution, govt sets deadline for
different sectors to switch over to be internet protocol version 6 from the
present version 4

http://www.governancenow.com/gov-next/egov/india-aims-move-ipv6-2017

 

**********************

- MISCELLANEOUS

**********************

RIPE NCC Activity Plan and Budget 2013

We are pleased to announce that the RIPE NCC's Activity Plan and Budget for
2013 is now available online. This definitive document has been approved by
the RIPE NCC Executive Board with input from the RIPE community, and
outlines the work we will undertake in the coming year.

http://www.ripe.net/internet-coordination/news/announcements/ripe-ncc-activi
ty-plan-and-budget-2013

 

**********************

- WEBHOSTING

**********************

Easyspace Creates Hosting Package for Companies Registered with Government
Agency Companies House

Web hosting provider Easyspace announced on Thursday that is has launched a
hosting package designed for new businesses that register for incorporation
with Companies House. The new Easyspace NewStart web hosting package
including hosting, an email service and an .EU domain name.

http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/easyspace-creates-hosting-package-fo
r-companies-registered-with-government-agency-companies-house

 

**********************

- DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET

**********************

Highlights for Domain Parkers in 2012 - Park Domains with the market leader
- Sit back and earn money!

Make sure you don?t miss any clicks on mobile devices with our new
mobile-friendly layouts. You also don?t need to worry about ad blocking
software: With Adblock Plus, all ads will appear correctly on your parked
pages whenever they view the site in Firefox or Chrome.

https://sedo.com/us/news/3212/Highlights-for-Domain-Parkers-in-2012/

 

Highlights for Domain Sellers in 2012 - Sell Domains ? Sell more domains
worldwide to more buyers

List your domains for sale and park more quickly and easily than ever. With
the help of our new Add Domains Wizard, you can add domains to your account
in just three steps. And to ensure your listings catch the eye of buyers
around the world, our new Big Data Pricer provides price suggestions based
on over 11 years of sales data so you can set a Buy Now price - the most
popular way for buyers to buy a name.

https://sedo.com/us/news/3211/Highlights-for-Domain-Sellers-in-2012/

 

Highlights for Domain Buyers in 2012 - Buy Domains ? The best selection, the
optimal prices

With better functionality and usability, the revamped tool provides more
exact matches, smarter and faster advanced searches, and more relevant
results. And because the results are so much more targeted, it?s even easier
for you to decide which domains to add to your purchase.

https://sedo.com/us/news/3210/Highlights-for-Domain-Buyers-in-2012-/

 

Forexpros Counts on Investing.com Investment

Financial website Forexpros.com has purchased Investing.com for $2.45
million and rebranded itself under the new domain name, as TechCrunch
reports. The sale of Investing.com makes it the second largest known
purchase of a single domain name this year, after CardLab's $4 million deal
for GiftCard.com.

http://www.domainnamestrategy.com/2012/12/14/forexpros-counts-investingcom-i
nvestment

 

A Kernal of Data on Afternic (Keyword)Marketing.com Domain Sales

I?m currently testing out a new file syncing service called AeroFS to keep
files synced between my laptop, desktop and other devices.

http://www.domainanimal.com/a-kernal-of-data-on-afternic-keywordmarketing-co
m-domain-sales/

 

The Ties That Bind: Two Names Share Top Spot on This Week's Domain Sales
Chart - Four Others Deadlocked in the Runner Up Spot

The action in the domain aftermarket was dominated by mid-range sales again
this week with the biggest transactions topping out at $60,000. Two names
hit that mark to stake equal claims to the #1 position on our latest all
extension Top 20 Sales Chart. Sedo earned a place in the spotlight with
HotelsGuide.com, a position shared with LuxResorts.com. In a private
transaction, Matt Worth sold the latter domain to the operators of
LuxIslandResorts.com after picking the domain up on the drop three years
ago.

http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2012/20121212.htm

 

Why domain marketplaces deserve 20% (and if you disagree, no one forces you
to use them)

Whenever I write about the two big domain marketplaces, Afternic and Sedo,
someone inevitably gripes about the 15% to 20% commissions they charge.

http://domainnamewire.com/2012/12/13/domain-marketplace-commission/

 

**********************

INTERNET USE

**********************

Searching for porn using Google Images? It might be about to get harder...

Using Google to search for pornographic images? Of course you're not. But if
you were, in the US, the task is about to get a little more difficult after
Google altered the algorithm for their image search database.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/searching-for-
porn-using-google-images-it-might-be-about-to-get-harder-8412701.html

 

No jokes, no kittens. Pope presses send on his first tweets

In the beginning ? more than a week in advance ? was the press conference at
the Vatican, announcing to a packed chamber of religious correspondents the
coming event. The pope was joining Twitter, Claudio Maria Celli, president
of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, revealed on 4 December
The move into new media was borne of the holy father's desire to "encounter
men and women wherever they are, and begin dialogue with them".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/12/pope-tweets

 

Australian phone, internet spend among highest

Australians spend more per person on phone and internet services than people
in almost any other country, according to a global study by the United
Kingdom?s media and communications regulator.

http://afr.com/p/technology/australian_phone_internet_spend_zeh8n4xsGMxxSi4y
lgqAKI

 

UK leads world in mobile web use thanks to Facebook ... and Gangnam

Britain has become a gadget-obsessed nation, watching more television
online, spending more on internet shopping and using smartphones and tablets
to access the web more heavily than any of the world's leading economies,
according to new research.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/dec/13/mobile-web-facebook-gangnam

 

Britain leads world in mobile web use as the young drive demand

British consumers watch more television online, spend more on internet
shopping and use smartphones to access the web the most out of any major
world economy, an official study has found.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/9740852/Britain-leads-wo
rld-in-mobile-web-use-as-the-young-drive-demand.html

 

**********************

SOCIAL MEDIA

**********************

On Facebook, Bad With the Good

Like many women these days, Aran Hissam, 35, of Melbourne, Fla., posted the
news that she was pregnant on Facebook. On the morning of an ultrasound last
year, she debated on the site whether to learn the baby?s sex, musing ?to
peek or not to peek?? ... Posting bad news on a social media site eases the
pain for the bearer of bad news and the recipient, because knowing what to
say to someone who has just told you bad news can be one of the most
socially fraught situations. ?If you put the news on Facebook, you?re also
maximizing the recipient?s comfort, so they can process the information on
their own time,? said Dr. Janet Sternberg, assistant professor of
communication and media studies at Fordham University. ?It?s really hard to
break bad news without crying or falling apart. But we can share painful
news in less painful ways.?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/fashion/using-facebook-to-announce-bad-new
s.html

 

Social Media and Brand Protection: Getting Started

Social media is on the mind of every business person. Whether you?re just
starting to craft a social media strategy or evolving it further, brand
protection needs to be a critical component. Why? Along with the advantages
of brand building and customer engagement that social media delivers, come
major risks. The ability to identify, and more importantly, take action
against brand hijackers, impersonators and others who seek to tarnish your
brand are critical in today?s digital ecosystem.

https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/social-media-and-brand-protection-getting
-started/

 

Social Media & Brand Protection: Monitor the Action!

In our series on ?Brand Protection & Social Media? blog posts, we highlight
how brand protection adds an important dimension to social media strategy
and showcases best practices. In our last post we started at the beginning:
establishing your brand in social media channels with brand protection in
mind.

https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/social-media-brand-protection-monitor-the
-action/

 

*********************************

CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY

*********************************

Virtual Global Taskforce announces new members

The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), an international alliance dedicated to
combating online child sexual abuse, has voted in four new organizations as
members.

http://ceop.police.uk/Media-Centre/Press-releases/2012/Virtual-Global-Taskfo
rce-announces-new-members/

 

ca: Ottawa urged to lead fight against cyber-bullying

Canada needs a national strategy to combat cyber-bullying, a Senate
committee says, and the federal government must take the lead to correct a
hodgepodge of initiatives, definitions and programs that don't effectively
address the problem nationwide. ... Some witnesses argued the government
should enact laws to intervene more in Internet regulation because current
industry standards make it difficult for bullied teens to get inappropriate
content removed from websites. Face-book and the Canadian Internet
Registration Authority supported what the committee termed a "hands-off or
light-touch" approach to regulating the Internet, arguing that
anti-cyber-bullying efforts should focus on funds for research and
educational campaigns.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Ottawa+urged+lead+fight+against+cyber+bully
ing/7692409/story.html

 

**********************

MOBILE/WIRELESS

**********************

Nokia Maps digitises streets to battle Google's threat

Nokia smells an opportunity. Maps have become one of the most
closely-watched battlegrounds in tech after a user-backlash led Apple to
apologise for the quality of its iOS6 Maps update.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20497719

 

Google Introduces a New Mobile Ad to Combat Fat Fingers

The ?fat finger effect? ? the theory that people accidentally click on
mobile ads because cellphone screens are so small ? is one reason mobile ads
generally earn less money than ads shown on desktop computers.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/google-introduces-a-new-mobile-ad-t
o-combat-fat-fingers/

 

**********************

ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL

**********************

Hacker Gary McKinnon will not face UK charges

Computer hacker Gary McKinnon, whose extradition to the US was blocked, will
not face charges in the UK, bringing to an end a 10-year legal battle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20730627

 

Gary McKinnon will face no charges in UK

No further legal action will be taken in Britain against the computer hacker
Gary McKinnon, the police and Crown Prosecution Service have announced.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/14/gary-mckinnon-no-uk-charges

 

**********************

SECURITY

**********************

Cybersecurity Management In the States: The Emerging Role of Chief
Information Security Officers by Marilu Goodyear, Holly T. Goerdel, Shannon
Portillo & Linda Williams [2010]

Abstract: The importance of safeguarding information created and shared on
computers and the internet has increased significantly in recent years, as
society has become increasingly dependent on information technology in
government, business, and in their personal lives. Both corporations and
government have responded by creating a new role in their organizations to
lead the safeguarding efforts - chief information security officers. The
role of these officers is still under development. Do they safeguard best by
using law enforcement techniques and technological tools? Or are they more
effective if they serve as educators and try to influence the behaviors of
technology users? This report is a significant contribution to the
discussion of the roles and responsibilities of chief information security
officers (CISOs) in state governments across the United States. It
identifies both strategies and activities used by successful state CISOs,
and thereby provides a good road map to success for all state CISOs.

http://ssrn.com/abstract=2187412

 

Successful collaborative cyber security awareness raising - Large Scale
Pilot for EU SME business & citizens; two new reports launched by EU Agency
ENISA on the European Information Sharing and Alert System (EISAS)

The EU?s cyber security Agency ENISA has run a Large Scale Pilot project for
the European Information Sharing and Alerting System ? EISAS to better
prepare EU business and citizens facing cyber threats; the EISAS Large Scale
Pilot Report, details its successful actions, and identifies the
cost-effectiveness of European awareness raising collaboration, while the
EISAS Updated Roadmap foresee future actions for EISAS.

http://www.enisa.europa.eu/successful-cyber-security-awareness-raising-large
-scale-pilot-for-eu-sme-business-citizens

 

In focus: Status report 2012 on Computer Emergency Response Teams baseline
capabilities launched by EU Agency ENISA [news release]

The EU?s cyber security agency ENISA has launched two new reports: 1. The
Status Report 2012 for CERTs which provides a state-of-play overview of
national/governmental CERTs? capabilities (n/g CERTs) and concludes that the
key challenge is the diversity of capabilities across Member States in
Europe. 2. The accompanying report on updated recommendations for n/g CERTs
addresses remaining gaps and shortcomings.

http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/status-report-2012-on-certs-
baseline-capabilities-launched-by-enisa

 

Power grid operators attacked via DDoS

The internet infrastructure of 50Hertz, a power grid operator that runs 220
and 380 kilovolt transmission networks in Northern and Eastern Germany, was
attacked by unidentified criminals on 20 November. The EurActiv European
news portal reports that the CEO of 50Hertz, Boris Schucht, announced at an
event in Brussels that a botnet had hit the high voltage power grid
operator's web pages and email infrastructure with a DDoS attack.

http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Power-grid-operators-attacked-via
-DDoS-1767170.html

 

DDoS Attacks Against US Banks Peaked At 60 Gbps [IDG]

Some of the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that targeted the
websites of U.S. financial institutions this week have peaked at 60 Gbps,
according to researchers from DDoS mitigation provider Arbor Networks.

http://www.cio.com/article/723889/DDoS_Attacks_Against_US_Banks_Peaked_At_60
_Gbps

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234701/DDoS_attacks_against_U.S._ban
ks_peaked_at_60_Gbps

 

Threat of mass cyberattacks on U.S. banks is real, McAfee warns

The wave of distributed denial of service attacks that hit U.S. banks in
October was next-to-nothing compared to what could happen if cybercriminals
actually carry through with their plans for next year.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57559153-83/threat-of-mass-cyberattacks-on-
u.s-banks-is-real-mcafee-warns/

 

Massive bank cyberattack planned

Security firm McAfee on Thursday released a report warning that a massive
cyberattack on 30 U.S. banks has been planned, with the goal of stealing
millions of dollars from consumers' bank accounts.

http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/13/technology/security/bank-cyberattack-blitzkr
ieg/index.html

 

Long Shadow Of Stuxnet Inspires Custom Anti-Malware Project

Another sign of how Stuxnet is reshaping the SCADA security world: One major
global supplier and integrator in offshore drilling, subsea, and merchant
marine operations pushed for the creation of a custom malware protection
solution that better fits operationally sensitive critical infrastructure
environments.

http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/vulnerabiliti
es/240144337/long-shadow-of-stuxnet-inspires-custom-anti-malware-project.htm
l

 

Netcraft: World map of phishing attacks

Netcraft's new phishing attack map provides a real-time visualisation of the
phishiest countries in the world. Measurements are determined by using IP
address delegation information to attribute current phishing sites in our
Phishing Site Feed to countries. We then use the number of active sites
found by our Web Server Survey to calculate and display the ratio of
phishing attacks to web sites in each country.

http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2012/12/13/world-map-of-phishing-attacks.h
tml

 

Phishing Attack Trends by Country Represented in Netcraft Map

Internet research organization Netcraft has posted a new phishing attack map
that shows a real-time visual representation of the top phishing countries
in the world.

http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/phishing-attack-trends-by-country-re
presented-in-netcraft-map

 

DDoS Attacks on Major US Banks Resurface

The group that claimed responsibility for large-scale distributed
denial-of-service attacks against major U.S. banks in September and October
has carried out another flurry of attacks that are still ongoing today.

http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/ddos-attacks-major-us-banks-resurface-1214
12

 

Latest DDoS attacks on banks: A teachable moment [CSO]

The websites of major U.S. banks were attacked this week in an ongoing
campaign that reflects the changing tactics used in distributed denial of
service (DDoS) strikes, a security expert says.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/121412-latest-ddos-attacks-on-banks-26
5114.html

 

Recent botnets busted by FBI were lame, but still dangerous [CSO]

A criminal organization recently busted by law enforcement distributed
malware on Facebook using two separate botnets built from tools that are
easily found in the hacker underground, a security expert said.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020600/recent-botnets-busted-by-fbi-were-lam
e-but-still-dangerous.html

 

Training to better manage cyber-attacks. Watch the new video clip on Cyber
Europe 2012

This eight minutes video clip provides a detailed overview of how to better
the cyber cooperation, and improving the resilience of the critical
information infrastructure. This video is explaining ENISA's role and track
record in the field of international, cross-border exercises, looking at how
to test national and international communications and cyber crisis
cooperation mechanisms.

http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/news-items/watch-the-new-video-clip-on-cybe
r-europe-2012

 

MarkMonitor Q3 2012 Fraud Intelligence Report

The MarkMonitor Fraud Intelligence Report for the third quarter of 2012 is
now available. The findings are:

https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/q3-2012-fraud-intelligence-report/

 

**********************

PRIVACY

**********************

Google Maps for iPhone violates European data protection law, German
watchdog says [IDG]

When users install Google Maps on their iPhone, the option to share location
data with Google is switched on by default. By doing this, Google violates
European data protection law, according to a German data protection
watchdog.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234724/Google_Maps_for_iPhone_violat
es_European_data_protection_law_German_watchdog_says

 

**********************

CENSORSHIP

**********************

China tightens 'Great Firewall' internet control with new technology

China appears to be tightening its control of internet services that are
able to burrow secretly through what is known as the "Great Firewall", which
prevents citizens there from reading some overseas content.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/dec/14/china-tightens-great-firewa
ll-internet-control

 

New Paper from the Association for Progressive Communications and the
Internet Society Connects Internet Protocols and Human Rights

?Like Internet protocols, human rights standards attempt to articulate
principles that will apply universally over time, as ideas and conditions
evolve,? a new paper argues. Commissioned by the Association for Progressive
Communications and the Internet Society, the issue paper released today
compares the standards-making processes as well as the principles underlying
human rights on the one hand and Internet protocols on the other.

http://www.internetsociety.org/news/new-paper-association-progressive-commun
ications-and-internet-society-connects-internet

 

**************************

GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY

**************************

How can tax avoidance be stopped? As top tech firms legally avoid paying
trillions in tax dollars we examine how such practices could be eliminated.

US corporations avoid paying billions of dollars in tax by moving money
offshore. Earlier this week Google was found to have avoided paying $2bn in
tax by channelling $9.8bn from international subsidiaries into Bermuda,
which has no corporate income tax.

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestoryamericas/2012/12/201212149464
9942217.html

 

Google boss: I'm very proud of our tax avoidance scheme

The head of the internet giant Google has defiantly defended his company?s
tax avoidance strategy claiming he was ?proud? of the steps it had taken to
cut its tax bill which were just ?capitalism?.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/google-boss-im-very-proud-of-
our-tax-avoidance-scheme-8411974.html

 

Google settles copyright dispute with Belgium newspapers

Google has settled a long-running dispute with Belgium newspaper publishers
that accused the search giant of copyright infringement over its practice of
linking to French- and German-language Belgian newspapers.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57559146-93/google-settles-copyright-disput
e-with-belgium-newspapers/

 

Onetime Allies in Antitrust Part Ways Over Google

... Now Google is the subject of major antitrust investigations in the
United States and Europe. In the United States, regulators are expected to
announce a decision within days to sue or settle, and under what terms. The
European decision will come soon as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/17/technology/onetime-allies-in-antitrust-par
t-ways-over-google.html

 

Google still faces antitrust scrutiny in Europe, officials say [IDG]

The European Union's competition chief has said negotiations with Google to
settle an antitrust probe have "advanced," but talks are not yet concluded.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020602/google-still-faces-antitrust-scrutiny
-in-europe-officials-say.html

 

uk: Ministers step back from online pornography legislation

Ministers have stepped back from forcing telecommunications companies to
filter websites for online pornography after claiming that parents rejected
the idea in a government-sponsored consultation.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2012/dec/14/minister-online-pornography-le
gislation

 

uk: Internet porn: Automatic block rejected

Ministers have rejected plans to automatically block internet access to
pornography on all computers, saying the move is not widely supported.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20738746

 

David Cameron rejects automatic block on porn to protect children

David Cameron has rejected proposals for an automatic block on online
pornography over fears parents would assume the internet was safe for their
children.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9746421/David-Cameron-rejects-automatic-bloc
k-on-porn-to-protect-children.html

 

Citizens of the Internet Aren't Going Down Without a Fight

As the 15th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations draw to a close,
the Internet freedom community is taking stock of what was said, and perhaps
more significantly, what wasn't. Developments over the last few weeks
suggest that the controversial treaty may be losing steam as public
opposition gains momentum -- and there was plenty of opposition in evidence
at the negotiations. The secretive agreement isn't ploughing ahead
unhindered, and this is largely due to the actions of citizens and the
Internet freedom community.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/catherine-hart/trans-pacific-partnership-canada
_b_2294759.html

 

Online gambling companies struggle to clear EU hurdles

A partnership stuck on Friday between bwin.party Digital Entertainment and a
Belgian casino group has defused one of many disputes pitting online
gambling companies against governments across Europe.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/uk-gambling-europe-idUKBRE8BD0EU201
21214

 

A Political Brawler, Now Battling for Microsoft

Mark Penn made a name for himself in Washington by bulldozing enemies of the
Clintons. Now he spends his days trying to do the same to Google, on behalf
of its archrival Microsoft.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/technology/microsoft-battles-google-by-hir
ing-political-brawler-mark-penn.html

 

us: Democrats watching court on net neutrality rules

If the court throws out net neutrality regulations, House Democrats might
counter with new legislation, Rep. Mike Doyle said Thursday.

http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/democrats-watching-court-on-net-neutra
lity-rules-85048.html

 

nz: Susan Chalmers: TPP traps - we need to know the costs as well as the
gains

I'm not an economist, but I do understand what a net loss or a net gain is.
Most people will be familiar with the concept - at the end of the day, are
you better or worse off? To figure that one out you need to know what you've
brought in, and what you've paid out.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10854463

 

**********************

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

**********************

China telecoms giant could be cyber-security risk to Britain

Britain could face a damaging multibillion-pound trade war with China and
see the roll-out of economically vital 4G mobile internet services derailed
if an intelligence report, due to land on David Cameron's desk within the
next two weeks, finds that the UK operations of the Chinese communications
giant Huawei represents a threat to the UK's cyber-security.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/china-telecoms-giant-could-be-
cybersecurity-risk-to-britain-8420432.html

 

------

David Goldstein

 

email: david at goldsteinreport.com

 

web:   http://goldsteinreport.com/

         http://davidgoldstein.tel/

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 Flannery

 

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