[DNS] domain name news - 17 January

From: David Goldstein <david> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:09:49 +1100 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:11 UTC

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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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Ten registrars spanked for ignoring ICANN audit
<http://domainincite.com/11601-ten-registrars-spanked-for-ignoring-icann-aud
it>

Guest Post: Matthew Godson on the Digital Marketing & gTLD Strategy
Conference by Matthew Godson, Co-CEO of Momentum Consulting Group
<http://www.elliotsblog.com/guest-post-matthew-godson-on-the-digital-marketi
ng-gtld-strategy-conference-7363>

New gTLD ?strawman? splits community
<http://domainincite.com/11619-new-gtld-strawman-splits-community>

'Red October' Attacks: The New Face Of Cyberespionage
<http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/attacks-brea
ches/240146237/red-october-attacks-the-new-face-of-cyberespionage.html.html>

Verisign gets another patent for ccTLD registration
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/01/15/verisign-gets-another-patent-for-cctld
-registration/>

**********************
GOVERNANCE
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UN plans Internet governance amid outcry to defund ITU
U.N. telecom arm ITU moves forward on control of internet governance and
seeks to redefine "multistakeholder." A new petition demands ITU's U.S.
funding stop.
<http://www.zdnet.com/un-plans-internet-governance-amid-outcry-to-defund-itu
-7000009882/>

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DOMAIN NAMES
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**********************
 - ICANN
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Consultation on gTLD Delegation and Redelegation Performance Standards
Purpose (Brief): A consultation on developing performance standards for
Delegation and Redelegation of a gTLD
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/gtld-drd-15jan13-en.htm>

Consultation on ccTLD Delegation and Redelegation Performance Standards
Purpose (Brief): A consultation on developing performance standards for
Delegation and Redelegation of a ccTLD
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/cctld-drd-15jan13-en.htm>

Annalisa Roger, Founder and CEO, DotGreen Community Inc., to Fadi Chehad?,
Steve Crocker, Cherine Chalaby and Xavier Calvez
Proceeds from the Auction of New gTLDs
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/roger-to-chehade-et-al-03jan13>

Ten registrars spanked for ignoring ICANN audit
ICANN has sent breach notices to 10 domain name registrars for failing to
respond to its ongoing contract compliance audit.
<http://domainincite.com/11601-ten-registrars-spanked-for-ignoring-icann-aud
it>

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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.CA takes on a French accent - CIRA enables Canadians to register
French-language domain names
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), the organization that
manages the .CA Internet domain, now supports the use of all French
characters in .CA domain names, allowing Canadians to register their .CAs
correctly in both official languages for the first time.
<http://www.cira.ca/news/news-releases/ca-french/>

Canadian website domains allowed to include French accents
The organization that supports .ca domain addresses is allowing Canadians to
register a website in both of the country's official languages.
<http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2013/01/14/canada-website-address-f
rench-accents.html>
<http://ca.news.yahoo.com/canadian-website-domains-allowed-french-accents-17
4924502.html>
<http://www.digitalhome.ca/2013/01/cira-launches-french-language-domain-name
s/>

.CA Allows Registration Of Domains With All French Characters
Canadians can now register domain names with all characters in their two
official languages, French and English, after the .ca registry implemented
support of all French characters.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/01/15/ca-allows-domains-with-french-charact
ers/>

CIRA brings French language support to Canadian Web addresses
French Canadian Websites can finally start using their l?accent aigu and
l?accent grave in their .ca Web addresses.
<http://business.financialpost.com/2013/01/14/cira-brings-french-language-su
pport-to-canadian-web-addresses/>

Giving .ca a French accent
CIRA now supports 16 new characters which will .ca domain owners for the
first time to use a full range of French-language characters and ligatures
<http://www.itworldcanada.com/news/giving-ca-a-french-accent/146596>

Canadian web addresses take on French accent
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) announced Monday that
Canadians will now be able to register their .ca domain names in both
official Canadian languages after adopting the use of French characters.
<http://www.globalmontreal.com/canadian+web+addresses+take+on+french+accent/
6442788028/story.html>

Canadians can now register .ca website addresses with French accents
[Canadian Press]
Canadians can now properly register a .ca website address in both official
languages.
<http://www.news1130.com/2013/01/14/canadians-can-now-register-ca-website-ad
dresses-with-french-accents/>
<http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/business/canadians-can-now-register-ca-webs
ite-addresses-with-french-accents-20130114.html>
<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/sci_tech/canadians-can-
now-register-ca-website-addresses-with-french-accents-186809991.html>

Canadian Internet Registration Authority Now Supports French Characters
It is now possible for French .CA domain names to be spelled with the
language?s full range of characters and ligatures: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?,
?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?. This is in addition to the letters z-s, numbers 0-9,
and hyphens.
<http://www.techvibes.com/blog/cira-french-characters-2013-01-14>

French accent domains coming to .ca registry
Canadian organizations are now be able to register .ca domain names with any
French character, enabling them to display their names correctly in both
English and French.
<http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/briefs.html?StoryID=13Jan14_1>

Canadian Internet Names Take on a French Accent
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority, the organization that manages
the .CA Internet domain, now supports the use of all French characters in
.CA domain names, allowing Canadians to register their .CAs correctly in
both official languages for the first time.
<http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/canadian-internet-names-take-on-a-f
rench-accent/1001992404/>

Canadian Internet Registration Authority enables French domain names
For the first time, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority now
supports the use of proper French domain names, allowing Canadians to
register their websites correctly in both official languages.
<http://beaconnews.ca/blog/2013/01/canadian-internet-registration-authority-
enables-registration-of-french-domain-names/>

Go Daddy Supports Canadian Businesses with French-Character .CA Domain Names
Web hosting provider and domain registrar Go Daddy announced on Sunday that
its .CA domain names are now available with French characters.
<http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/go-daddy-supports-canadian-business
es-with-french-character-ca-domain-names>

CIRA: Launches .IDN?s For .CA Domains & Holding Networking Event Tuesday In
Montreal
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA.), the organization that
manages the .CA Internet domain, now supports the use of all French
characters in .CA domain names, allowing Canadians to register their .CAs
correctly in both official languages for the first time?.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/01/14/cira-launches-idns-for-ca-domains-hold
ing-networking-event-tuesday-in-montreal/>

.CAT Offers Enhanced Privacy For Individual Registrants
The registry for .cat domain names, Fundaci? puntCAT, has announced that as
of 7 January they have implemented privacy changes for individuals that use
their .cat domain name for private use for existing and new registrants. The
changes mean registrants can choose non-disclosure of Whois data.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/01/14/cat-enhanced-privacy/>

China's Internet User Base Hits 564 Mln in 2012
The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) issued its 31st
Statistical Report on Internet Development in China today, in which it found
a total of 564 mln internet users in China as of the end of December 2012,
and a total of 50.9 mln new internet users for all of 2012. Internet
penetration reached 42.1% by the end of 2012, up 3.8% YoY. ... A total of
13.41 mln domain names are registered in China. 7.5 mln of these use the
".cn" TLD; 280,000 use the ".Chinese Characters for China" internationalized
domain name TLD.
<http://www.marbridgeconsulting.com/marbridgedaily/2013-01-15/article/62686/
chinas_internet_user_base_hits_564_mln_in_2012>

Nominet web address plans criticised by groups
Businesses, internet activists and a children's charities coalition have all
criticised plans by UK internet domain registry Nominet to create a new
'secure' area online for UK businesses, reports The Telegraph.
<http://www.telecompaper.com/news/nominet-web-address-plans-criticised-by-gr
oups--919093>

Campaigners oppose Nominet plans for secure .uk domain
Digital rights campaigners, businesses and charities have criticised the
plans of UK's TLD name registry Nominet to create a ?secure? .uk domain
alongside the existing .co.uk and .org.uk domains.
<http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240176103/Campaigners-oppose-Nominet-pl
ans-for-secure-uk-domain>

Vanuatu?s domain name under discussion
Vanuatu has started public discussions on the fate of its country code TLD
name (ccTLD) as its telecom regulator bids to take control over this
national resource. 
<http://www.islandsbusiness.com/islands_business/index_dynamic/containerName
ToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=20449/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full
.tpl>

Policy change on price by ZA Central Registry
Following an extensive consultation process with the local domain name/ ISP
industry, involving the .ZA Domain Name Authority, The ZA Central Registry
(UniForum SA) has announced tariff changes to domain name registrations on
the Legacy System.
<http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2013/01/policy-change-on-price-by-za-central-re
gistry/>

New central system boosts SA website registrations
THERE has been a spike in the registration of new South African websites
since the launch of a new central registry for the .co.za domain name more
than a year ago, system administrator ZA Central Registry said on Tuesday.
<http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/technology/2013/01/15/new-central-system-b
oosts-sa-website-registrations>

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 - NEW TLDS
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Guest Post: Matthew Godson on the Digital Marketing & gTLD Strategy
Conference by Matthew Godson, Co-CEO of Momentum Consulting Group
In this post, Matthew discusses his views on the introduction of gTLDs and
how the Digital Marketing & gTLD Strategy Conference will benefit people who
plan to invest or operate in the competitive gTLD space.
<http://www.elliotsblog.com/guest-post-matthew-godson-on-the-digital-marketi
ng-gtld-strategy-conference-7363>

New gTLD ?strawman? splits community
The ICANN community is split along the usual lines on the proposed
?strawman? solution for strengthening trademark protections in the new gTLD
program.
<http://domainincite.com/11619-new-gtld-strawman-splits-community>

Architelos Marks Successful Second Year, Adds Software Services
Architelos, Inc. celebrates its second year of business, with a number of
notable accomplishments under its belt. The company had a profitable year in
2012, earning over $1.7 million in revenue and booking sales of over $2
million dollars in consulting and software service fees. Architelos also
expanded its footprint internationally by opening up a Canadian office in
Toronto, which houses its software development efforts.
<http://architelos.com/2013/01/14/architelos-marks-successful-second-year-ad
ds-software-services/>

Architelos sees sales double to $2 million in 2012
New gTLD consultancy and software provider Architelos said it booked sales
of $2 million in 2012, its second year in business, doubling its 2011
numbers.
<http://domainincite.com/11610-architelos-sees-sales-double-to-2-million-in-
2012>

Architelos Expands Internationally In Year Two, Launches NameSentry As
Revenue And Profits Jump
Architelos, Inc. celebrated its second year of business expanding
internationally, launching its NameSentry domain abuse detection and
mitigation service and having a profitable year with revenue increasing 70
percent while sales increased 100 percent.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/01/15/architelos-expands/>

DotGreen Advises ICANN What To Do With New gTLD Auction Money
What to do with the proceeds of money raised through auctions of new gTLD
strings that are in contention is the main topic of a letter from Annalisa
Roger, Founder and CEO of DotGreen Community, to ICANN.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/01/15/dotgreen-icann-gtld-auction-money/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/dotgreen-advises-icann-what-to-do-with-new-gtl
d-auction-money.html>

United Domains has 1 million new gTLD pre-regs
United Domains announced today that its new gTLD pre-registration program
has racked up its millionth domain.
<http://domainincite.com/11642-united-domains-has-1-million-new-gtld-pre-reg
s>

Alexander Schubert Of .Gay ?The Only Good Domainer Is A Dead Domainer?
If you have attended any TRAFFIC conferences or Domainfest conferences you
have probably have run into Alexander Schubert who was a self admitted
domainer from 1997-2004.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/01/15/alexander-schubert-of-gay-the-only-goo
d-domainer-is-a-dead-domainer/>

Why you probably don?t need to worry about cybersquatting on new top level
domains
One of the biggest worries trademark owners have about new TLDs is that
they?ll have to fight more cybersquatting battles as a result.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/01/14/why-you-probably-dont-need-to-worry-ab
out-cybersquatting-on-new-top-level-domains/>

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 - DNS SECURITY
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'Red October' cyber-attack found by Russian researchers
A major cyber-attack that may have been stealing confidential documents
since 2007 has been discovered by Russian researchers.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21013087>

'Red October' malware spies on governments worldwide
It might have taken five years to discover, but a government-snooping spying
campaign dubbed Red October has been exposed by Kaspersky Lab.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57563851-92/red-october-malware-spies-on-g
overnments-worldwide/>

'Red October' Attacks: The New Face Of Cyberespionage
A newly uncovered and especially sophisticated cyberespionage initiative
against government, diplomatic, and scientific research organizations
spanning multiple regions worldwide that has stolen terabytes of information
for at least five years could provide a clearer picture of what advanced
forms of these attacks really look like.
<http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/attacks-brea
ches/240146237/red-october-attacks-the-new-face-of-cyberespionage.html.html>

The battle against cybercrime is too important to be undone by Eurosceptics
Ukip and large parts of the Conservative party must have been unnerved by
the inauguration last week of Europol's Cybercrime Centre, dubbed EC3. While
EC3 is not able to open investigations into cybercriminal activity across
Europe, it comes as close to a pan-European police force as anything we have
yet seen.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/13/battle-against-cybercri
me-eurosceptics>

us: Malware Infects Two Power Plants Lacking Basic Security Controls
During the past three months, unnamed malware infected two power plants'
control systems using unprotected USB drives as an attack vector. At both
companies, a lack of basic security controls made it much easier for the
malicious code to reach critical networks.
<http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/malware-infects-two-power-plants-lacking-
basic-security-controls-011413>

us: ICS-CERT reports virus infections at US power utilities
Department of Homeland Security crest The industrial control systems of a
power supplier and a power generation plant in the US have been infected via
USB flash drives. The ICS-CERT reports that Project SHINE is working to
highlight vulnerabilities
<http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/ICS-CERT-reports-virus-infection
s-at-US-power-utilities-1783152.html>

US plants hit by USB stick malware attack
Two power plants in the US were affected by malware attacks in 2012, a
security authority has said.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21042378>

us: Malicious virus shuttered U.S. power plant -DHS
A computer virus attacked a turbine control system at a U.S. power company
when a technician unknowingly inserted an infected USB computer drive into
the network, keeping a plant off line for three weeks, according to a recent
U.S. government report.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/01/16/cybersecurity-powerplants-idUKL1E9
CGD2G20130116>

Banks Seek Help on Iran Cyberattacks
Major U.S. banks are pressing for government action to block or squelch what
Washington officials say is an intensifying Iranian campaign of cyberattacks
against American financial institutions.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324734904578244302923178548.h
tml>

China mobile users warned about large botnet threat
Security researchers say they have discovered a huge botnet running on the
smartphones of more than a million unsuspecting mobile users in China.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21026667>

Virut and Waledac Botnets Spamming from Shared Machines
WaledacIn an analysis of Virut botnet samples, Symantec researchers observed
the malware downloading Waledac variants, suggesting that the gangs
responsible for each botnet may be cooperating with one another through some
sort of affiliate program, or, at the very least, that the two threats
coexist and function on single infected machines.
<http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/virut-and-waledac-botnets-spamming-shared
-machines-011513>

Singapore Government strengthens cyber attack prevention laws
The government in Singapore will be able to compel businesses to take action
in order to prevent cyber attacks on computer systems in certain
circumstances after amendments were made to the country's computer misuse
laws.
<http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2013/january/singapore-government-streng
thens-cyber-attack-prevention-laws/>

4 ways to prepare for and fend off DDoS attacks [CIO]
Cyber attacks of all kinds are on the rise. It is a trend you ignore at your
own peril. National Security Agency and U.S. cyber-command chief Keith
Alexander said in July that Internet attacks of all sorts surged 44 percent
in 2011 and are responsible for what he terms the "greatest transfer of
wealth in history."
<http://www.pcworld.com/article/2025236/4-ways-to-prepare-for-and-fend-off-d
dos-attacks.html>

EC3, the European Cybercrime Centre, Opened - Challenges All Around by Wout
de Natris
On Friday 11 January 2013 the European Cybercrime Centre, EC3, officially
opened its doors at Europol in The Hague. If something shone through from
the speeches of the panel participants, it is that there are tight budget
restraints and a strong wish to cooperate with the U.S., the Interpol centre
in Singapore and Russia. Let me share my thoughts on expectations.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130115_ec3_the_european_cybercrime_centre_o
pened_challenges_all_around/>

nz: Warning after theatre site hack
International hackers have increasingly begun targeting New Zealand business
websites, with even the Auckland Theatre Company subject to virtual
hostage-taking.
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/8171240/Warning-after-thea
tre-site-hack>

**********************
 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
**********************
Twitter.org Being Used For Scams, Twitter Seeks To Gain Control Of Rogue
Domain
Too bad Twitter didn?t originally register ?Twitter.org? as well. It would
have saved the company from the headache of trying to gain control of the
domain, which is now being used to conduct scam surveys of people who
unwittingly arrive thinking they?re at Twitter.com.
<http://marketingland.com/twitter-org-being-used-for-scams-twitter-seeks-to-
gain-control-of-rogue-domain-30717>

Twitter files UDRP over twitter.org
Twitter has filed a cybersquatting complaint over the domain name
twitter.org, which is currently being used for one of those bogus survey
scam sites.
<http://domainincite.com/11606-twitter-files-udrp-over-twitter-org>

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 - IPv4/IPv6
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uk: Plusnet to test IPv4 address sharing system
UK ISP Plusnet is seeking testers for a 3-week trial of IPv4 address sharing
or Carrier Grade NAT. 
<http://www.telecompaper.com/news/plusnet-to-test-ipv4-address-sharing-syste
m--918937>

uk: PlusNet trials carrier-grade NAT to delay IPv4 depletion
UK internet service provider PlusNet is looking for volunteers among its
customers to test out a new carrier-grade NAT (network address translation)
system to cope with the dwindling supply of IPv4 addresses.
<http://news.techworld.com/networking/3420608/plusnet-trials-carrier-grade-n
at-delay-ipv4-depletion/>

Sheffield ISP: You don't need a whole IPv4 address to yourself, right?
Facing the shortage of IPv4 addresses, and glacial adoption of IPv6, UK ISP
PlusNet is looking for volunteers among its customers to test out sharing
the IPv4 addresses on its network.
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/15/ipv4_nat/>

IPv6 boosts mobile performance, panel claims
As the use of IPv6 broadens, mobile users should see gains in performance,
according to members of a panel at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas.
<http://gcn.com/blogs/pulse/2013/01/ipv6-boosts-mobile-performance.aspx>

**********************
 - MISCELLANEOUS
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Verisign gets another patent for ccTLD registration
Verisign has been granted U.S. patent number 8,356,081 for ?Automated Domain
Name Registration?.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/01/15/verisign-gets-another-patent-for-cctld
-registration/>

NameCheap Makes ?Move Your Domain Day? an Annual Protest
A little over a year ago, Go Daddy?s position on SOPA brought quite a bit of
negative publicity (deservedly) onto the company, although it later changed
its position and opposed SOPA. Go Daddy competitor NameCheap spearheaded a
domain transfer initiative known as ?Move Your Domain Day,? and many people
joined in and transferred domain names from Go Daddy.
<http://www.elliotsblog.com/namecheap-makes-move-your-domain-day-an-annual-p
rotest-5198>

NameCheap resurrects anti-SOPA transfers promo
NameCheap has decided to bring back the promotion that saw roughly 20,000
domain names transferred to it from Go Daddy, in protest of the company?s
stance on US legislation, a year ago.
<http://domainincite.com/11614-namecheap-resurrects-anti-sopa-transfers-prom
o>

Parent company STRAAT Investments has big plans for 2013
STRAAT Investments, the parent company of .CO Internet, is on the move.
<http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/news/article.asp?docKey=6
00-201301140112KRTRIB__BUSNEWS_45665_26113-1&params=timestamp||01/14/2013
1:12 AM ET||headline||Parent company STRAAT Investments has big plans for
2013 [The Miami
Herald]||docSource||McClatchy-Tribune||provider||ACQUIREMEDIA||bridgesymbol|
|US;AMZN&ticker=AMZN>

**********************
 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
**********************
Get A Domain Name Without Bankrupting Your Startup
I?m sure you have all been frustrated at least once by not being able to get
the Internet domain name you want for your company. Who owns all of these
names, and should you ever buy one for a premium? The simple answer is that
if you want to be found on the Web, the perfect domain name can be well
worth a few thousand dollars, but don?t pay a fortune for one.
<http://www.forbes.com/sites/martinzwilling/2013/01/14/get-a-domain-name-wit
hout-bankrupting-your-startup/>

Domain Leasing Continues to Gain Converts - NoktaDomains Latest to Get On
Board
While it is true that there is nothing new about domain leasing, in the
decade I've spent in this industry I've never seen interest in leasing
higher than it is right now. Industry pioneer Rick Schwartz has become a
major leasing proponent through his new JointVentures.com platform,
Escrow.com now offers a domain holding service tailor made for leasing
domains and a lot of domain owners are jumping on the bandwagon.
<http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2013/dailyposts/20130114.htm>

InteLend.com Hits The Market With $20 Million To Lend On Domain Names
Intelend.com is a relatively new company in the domain space and considers
itself a digital pawn shop that makes loans just holding domain names as
collateral again the loan.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/01/14/intelend-com-hits-the-market-with-20-m
illion-to-lend-on-domain-names/>

Real Estate Agents Discuss Why They Own RealEstate.com Domain Names
In 2010, I wrote an article asking if real estate agents understand domain
names. At that point in time, it had been my experience that many did not
realize the value of exact match domain names (EMDs). Since that time, I
have closed a number of solid deals on geoRealEstate.com domain names, and
have met many real estate agents who value keyword domain names highly.
<http://www.elliotsblog.com/real-estate-agents-discuss-why-they-own-realesta
te-com-domain-names-7329>

**********************
REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS
**********************
The Development and Diffusion of Digital Content
Viewers are watching a growing share of video via Internet-based
distribution systems. New digital content distribution services are having
appreciable impacts on established media industries and network service
providers in many OECD countries. The competitive landscape in media,
already complex, will become even more multifaceted. Public policy
frameworks in the media and telecommunications sector must be reviewed in
light of these developments. This paper argues that convergence should be
taken as the rule, rather than the exception. Careful application of best
practices can address most policy concerns.
<http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/the-development-and-dif
fusion-of-digital-content_5k8x6kv51z0n-en>

Improving the Evidence Base for Information Security and Privacy Policies:
Understanding the Opportunities and Challenges related to Measuring
Information Security, Privacy and the Protection of Children Online
This report provides an overview of existing data and statistics in the
fields of information security, privacy and the protection of children
online. It highlights the potential for the development of better indicators
in these respective fields showing in particular that there is an
underexploited wealth of empirical data that, if mined and made comparable,
will enrich the current evidence base for policy making. Such indicators
would help identify areas where policy interventions are most clearly
warranted, and can provide guidance on designing policy interventions and
determining their effectiveness.
<http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/improving-the-evidence-
base-for-information-security-and-privacy-policies_5k4dq3rkb19n-en>

Comparative analysis of national cybersecurity strategies - Cybersecurity
Policy Making at a Turning Point: Analysing a New Generation of National
Cybersecurity Strategies
This report analyses the latest generation of ?national cybersecurity
strategies? in ten countries and identifies commonalities and differences.
<http://www.oecd.org/sti/interneteconomy/comparativeanalysisofnationalcybers
ecuritystrategies.htm>

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INTERNET USE
**********************
China Now has 564 Million Internet Users [IDG]
China's Internet population reached 564 million at the end of December, an
increase of 26 million over the past six months, according to a non-profit
research group in the country.
<http://www.cio.com/article/726838/China_Now_has_564_Million_Internet_Users>
<http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9235849/China_now_has_564_million_In
ternet_users>
<http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/china-now-has-564-million-internet
-users>

The BIG browser benchmark (January 2013 edition)
The BIG browser benchmark -- where the leading browsers are pitted against
six of the toughest and most comprehensive benchmark tests -- which browser
will be triumphant? ... So, with all that, which browser is best? As with
every browser benchmark, it's hard to draw any definitive conclusions from
the data given that there's no overall winner.
<http://www.zdnet.com/the-big-browser-benchmark-january-2013-edition-7000009
776/>

**********************
SOCIAL MEDIA
**********************
Facebook unveils social search tools for users
Facebook has announced a major addition to its social network - a smart
search engine it has called graph search. The feature allows users to make
"natural" searches of content shared by their friends.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21032506>

Facebook launches Graph Search to aid users and take on Google
Facebook has unveiled a new feature to allow users to sift through pictures,
posts and messages in a way that the company's founder and chief executive,
Mark Zuckerberg, claimed could transform how people use the social network.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jan/15/facebook-announcement-grap
h-search-mark-zuckerberg>

Facebook Unveils a New Search Tool
Facebook has spent eight years nudging its users to share everything they
like and everything they do. Now, the company is betting it has enough data
so that people can find whatever they want on Facebook. And on Tuesday, it
unveiled a new tool to help them dig for it.
<http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/facebook-unveils-a-new-search-tool
/>

Facebook Shares Dip Below $30 Again, As Graph Search Fails To Convince
Investors
Earlier today, Facebook unveiled its third pillar, Graph Search. While the
announcement was highly anticipated, the unveiling didn?t live up to the
hype from the investors? perspective, as the stock is currently down 3.23
percent at 29.95 ? below $30 again.
<http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/15/facebook-shares-dip-below-30-again-as-grap
h-search-fails-to-convince-investors/>

Facebook on Collision Course With Google on Web Searches
After years of collecting photos and personal data from its billion-plus
members, Facebook Inc. Tuesday unveiled a search tool that sifts through
people's profiles?and pushes the social network deeper into Google Inc.'s
home turf.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323596204578243552054369798.h
tml>

Facebook Graph Search: Zuckerberg reveals origin of Google privacy rift
Founder of social media giant tells press conference for search tool why
negotiations between Facebook and Google fell apart
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jan/16/facebook-google-search-mar
k-zuckerberg>

Fortunes of Facebook May Hinge on Searches
Nearly a year after it announced its bid to go public, Facebook is
confronting the ultimate burden of the information age: how to help its
users find what they are looking for amid the billions of pictures, ?likes?
and status updates they post every day.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/technology/fortunes-of-facebook-may-hinge
-on-searches.html>

Facebook UK loses 600,000 users in December
The number of Facebook's UK users dropped by 600,000 in December, according
to data by social media monitoring firm SocialBakers.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jan/14/facebook-loses-uk-users-de
cember>

**********************
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
**********************
PC shipments drop by about 6% as consumers opt for tablets
The story for the PC business keeps getting worse. Figures released by the
research groups IDC and Gartner show that in the fourth quarter of 2012
sales of PCs dropped by about 6% year-on-year to 90m, as the business
undergoes what Gartner analyst Mikako Kitagawa called a "structural shift",
with people buying new tablets instead of updating older PCs.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jan/14/pc-shipments-drop-consumer
-tablets>

*********************************
CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
*********************************
Many researchers taking a different view of pedophilia
Pedophilia once was thought to stem from psychological influences early in
life. Now, many experts view it as a deep-rooted predisposition that does
not change.
<http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pedophiles-20130115,0,197689.story>

us: For 1 in 3 teen girls, online meetings lead to offline encounters
Almost one in three teen girls ages 14 to 17 say they've taken a
relationship they started online into the real world, according to new
research out of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57564182-93/for-1-in-3-teen-girls-online-m
eetings-lead-to-offline-encounters/>

au: Lessons to crack down on cyber-bullies
School students will learn to be "safe and respectful digital citizens" in
training designed to combat cyber-bullying.
<http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/lessons-to-crack-down-on-c
yberbullies-20130115-2crgo.html>

au: Facebook fears for teenage girls
FACEBOOK pages devoted to provocative images of teenage girls are fuelling
the sexualisation of young people, a leading child safety expert warns.
<http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/facebook-fears-for-teenage-g
irls/story-fndo2izk-1226555449832>

au: Websites sign on to Gillard's bullying protocol
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has struck an agreement with several major
websites to help deal with the problem of online bullying, although Twitter
is yet to sign up.
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-16/major-websites-sign-on-to-gillard27s-
bullying-protocol/4467240>

au: Twitter urged to sign up to cyber-bullying guidelines
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called on social media giant Twitter to
sign up to new guidelines for dealing with complaints on social networking
sites.
<http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/twitter-urged-to-sign-up-to-cy
berbullying-guidelines-20130116-2csx6.html>

au: Troll alert: 600,000 kids to learn about cyber safety
A new cyber safety program will teach Australian middle-school students
about cyberbullying, keeping passwords private and the dangers of posting
embarrassing photos and videos online.
<http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/troll-alert-6000
00-kids-to-learn-about-cyber-safety-20130116-2csrj.html>

au: Schools to target cyber-bullying
PRIMARY school students will learn about internet dangers and how to be
''safe and respectful digital citizens'' in a bid to stop them from growing
into cyber bullies.
<http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/schools-to-target-cyber
bullying-20130115-2crjt.html>

**********************
MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Payments by text message service to launch in UK in Spring 2014
UK mobile users will be able to send and receive money by sharing only their
phone number by Spring 2014, the Payments Council has said.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21032503>

**********************
DIGITAL DIVIDE
**********************
Mobile phones may not solve health challenges in poor countries
Two reviews have found little evidence that mobile phone technology is
having a great impact on managing disease
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2013/jan/16/mobile-phones-heal
th-challenges-poor-countries>

**********************
ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
**********************
Ontario Court Rejects U.S. Government Demand for Full Access to Megaupload
Servers Seized in Canada by Michael Geist
Many readers will recall that nearly one year ago, the U.S. government
launched a global takedown of Megaupload.com, with arrests of the leading
executives in New Zealand and the execution of search warrants in nine
countries. Canada was among the list of participating countries as the
action included seizure of Megaupload.com servers located here.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130116_ontario_court_rejects_us_government_
access_to_megaupload_server/>

**********************
SECURITY
**********************
'Red October' cyber-attack found by Russian researchers
A major cyber-attack that may have been stealing confidential documents
since 2007 has been discovered by Russian researchers.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21013087>