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

 

The domain name news is supported by auDA

 

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

 

 

A Critical Moment for the Future of the Internet by Fadi Chehad?

< <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/techonomy/a-critical-moment-for-the_b_7513308.html> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/techonomy/a-critical-moment-for-the_b_7513308.html>

 

The NTIA Stewardship Transition: Catalyst for Enhancing the Multistakeholder Approach

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/the-ntia-stewardship-transition-catalyst-for-enhancing-the-multistakeholder-approach> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/the-ntia-stewardship-transition-catalyst-for-enhancing-the-multistakeholder-approach>

 

ICANN should strengthen its mechanisms to respect human rights

< <http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/freedom-of-expression-and-privacy> http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/freedom-of-expression-and-privacy>

 

.au ? new domain name real estate?

< <http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9638ca61-267f-4930-ab2c-3faeb0093dfe> http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9638ca61-267f-4930-ab2c-3faeb0093dfe>

 

ICM beats own annual projections with .porn on day one

< <http://domainincite.com/18656-icm-beats-own-annual-projections-with-porn-on-day-one> http://domainincite.com/18656-icm-beats-own-annual-projections-with-porn-on-day-one>

 

New gTLD trade group launches

< <http://domainincite.com/18658-new-gtld-trade-group-launches> http://domainincite.com/18658-new-gtld-trade-group-launches>

 

Are new gTLD registries ripping off brands with unfair sunrise fees?

< <http://domainincite.com/18651-are-new-gtld-registries-ripping-off-brands-with-unfair-sunrise-fees> http://domainincite.com/18651-are-new-gtld-registries-ripping-off-brands-with-unfair-sunrise-fees>

 

New gTLD Brand Strategy on the Launchpad in Europe

< <http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/brandmarketing/new-gtld-brand-strategy-on-the-launchpad-in-europe> http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/brandmarketing/new-gtld-brand-strategy-on-the-launchpad-in-europe>

 

 

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

GOVERNANCE

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

A Critical Moment for the Future of the Internet by Fadi Chehad?

The Internet, the greatest invention of our generation -- several generations in fact -- is in many ways a reflection of the American Dream. It's vast and open, unlimited in its potential reach. It's inclusive and welcoming. Anyone can be part of it and make a difference. The fastest growing part of the global economy is Internet-based, and the Internet accounts for a significant and growing portion of global GDP. According to Boston Consulting Group, the Internet is contributing up to 8 percent of GDP in some economies, powering growth and creating jobs.

< <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/techonomy/a-critical-moment-for-the_b_7513308.html> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/techonomy/a-critical-moment-for-the_b_7513308.html>

< <http://www.forbes.com/sites/techonomy/2015/06/04/a-critical-moment-for-the-future-of-the-internet/> http://www.forbes.com/sites/techonomy/2015/06/04/a-critical-moment-for-the-future-of-the-internet/>

 

Plan to Transfer ICANN Stewardship from US to Global Multi-Stakeholder Group on Course

The head of ICANN remains confident that the planned transfer of the group?s stewardship from the US to a global multi-stakeholder group will be completed soon.

< <http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/plan-to-transfer-icann-stewardship-from-us-to-global-multi-stakeholder-group-on-course> http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/plan-to-transfer-icann-stewardship-from-us-to-global-multi-stakeholder-group-on-course>

 

Cuba Hosts Forum on Political Communication

The International Conference ?New Scenarios of Political Communication in the Digital Sphere-2015? began in Havana with the presence of official experts and delegates of more than 30 countries.

< <http://en.escambray.cu/2015/cuba-hosts-forum-on-political-communication/> http://en.escambray.cu/2015/cuba-hosts-forum-on-political-communication/>

 

Experts in political communication will meet in Cuba

With the aim of promoting exchanges on topics such as the development and use of information technologies and communications, and their impact on international relations, the International Conference "New scenarios of political communication in the digital environment? will start from tomorrow.

< <http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2015/06/05/p13/experts-in-political-communication-will-meet-in-cuba.html> http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2015/06/05/p13/experts-in-political-communication-will-meet-in-cuba.html>

 

Cyber-Security and Internet Governance under Debate in Havana

Focused on the analysis of the challenges of cyber-security and Internet governance, the International Conference "New scenarios of political communication in the digital realm" continued on Saturday in this capital.

< <http://www.periodico26.cu/index.php/en/cuba-news/29893-cyber-security-and-internet-governance-under-debate-in-havana> http://www.periodico26.cu/index.php/en/cuba-news/29893-cyber-security-and-internet-governance-under-debate-in-havana>

 

Report on the WSIS Forum 2015

Organised by the International Telecommunication Union, the agenda of the WSIS Forum is a mix of policy statements from ITU Member States and other Internet-related organisations (including ICANN and the Internet Society), and workshops on specific issues such as cybersecurity, capacity building and the IANA stewardship transition.

< <https://www.ripe.net/publications/news/industry-developments/report-on-the-wsis-forum-2015> https://www.ripe.net/publications/news/industry-developments/report-on-the-wsis-forum-2015>

 

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

DOMAIN NAMES

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

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

- ICANN

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

The NTIA Stewardship Transition: Catalyst for Enhancing the Multistakeholder Approach

It's over a year since work started for several multistakeholder groups on the transition of the US Government stewardship over the IANA functions.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/the-ntia-stewardship-transition-catalyst-for-enhancing-the-multistakeholder-approach> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/the-ntia-stewardship-transition-catalyst-for-enhancing-the-multistakeholder-approach>

 

Advisory Concerning Registrar Obligations to Provide Data to ICANN Pursuant to Section 3.4.3 of the 2013 RAA

Section 3.4.3 of the 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement (the "2013 RAA") requires registrars to provide certain data, information, and records to ICANN upon request and incorporates a procedure by which ICANN and registrars can agree to limitations, protections, or alternative solutions in the event a registrar believes that the provision of such data to ICANN would violate applicable law or legal proceedings.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-06-05-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-06-05-en>

 

Request for Proposal for Reference LGRs for the Second Level

ICANN is seeking provider(s) to develop Label Generation Rules (LGRs) for multiple languages (and scripts) for use at the second level, based on a new machine readable formal representation available at...

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-3-2015-06-05-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-3-2015-06-05-en>

 

Root Stability Study RFP

ICANN is seeking one or more providers to conduct a technical study examining the impact of the New gTLD Program (the Program) on the DNS root system.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2015-06-05-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2015-06-05-en>

 

Call for Expressions of Interest for 2016 Nominating Committee Chair and Chair-Elect

ICANN is seeking expressions of interest for leadership roles in the 2016 Nominating Committee (NomCom) - that of the 2016 NomCom Chair and Chair-Elect.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2015-06-04-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2015-06-04-en>

 

ICANN Grants Data Retention Waiver to COREHUB S.R.L.

COREHUB S.R.L. ("Registrar") submitted to ICANN a Registrar Data Retention Waiver Request on the basis of Registrar's contention that compliance with the data collection and/or retention requirements of the Data Retention Specification in the 2013 RAA violates applicable law in Spain.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-06-04-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-06-04-en>

 

Letter from Steve Crocker to Jonathan Robinson

Cross-Community Working Group (CCWG) - The Use of New gTLD Auction Proceeds

< <https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/crocker-to-robinson-04jun15-en.pdf> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/crocker-to-robinson-04jun15-en.pdf>

 

ICANN should strengthen its mechanisms to respect human rights

The Council of Europe has called upon its 47 member states to ensure that ICANN ... creates adequate mechanisms to identify, prevent and mitigate possible breaches to human rights in its work, notably the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.

< <http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/freedom-of-expression-and-privacy> http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/freedom-of-expression-and-privacy>

 

CoE calls on ICANN to strengthen protections for privacy, expression [Xinhua]

The Council of Europe (CoE) released a declaration Wednesday calling on member states to ensure that ICANN ... to strengthen its measures against rights abuses.

< <http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2015-06/04/content_35732911.htm> http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2015-06/04/content_35732911.htm>

 

Power Shift: The CCWG?s ICANN Membership Proposal by Milton Mueller

The public comment period on the Cross-Community Working Group on Accountability is about to close. Reading through the proposal, we discovered aspects of the proposal that would definitely improve ICANN?s accountability. But we also got a disturbing sense that some of the ?chartering organizations? who make up the CCWG are using this transition not to improve ICANN?s accountability but to make themselves more powerful in ICANN. This problem is most evident in the membership proposal, which would make all of the Supporting Organizations (SOs) and Advisory Committees (ACs) into the ?members? of ICANN.

< <http://www.internetgovernance.org/2015/06/04/power-shift-the-ccwgs-icann-membership-proposal/> http://www.internetgovernance.org/2015/06/04/power-shift-the-ccwgs-icann-membership-proposal/>

 

ICANN speak clearly now .gay has gone ? Council of Europe

An alliance of 47 countries has called on ICANN to respect privacy and freedom of expression when allocating TLDs.

< <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/06/05/oi_icann_be_a_bit_more_careful_in_handing_out_those_sucky_sites_warns_coe/> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/06/05/oi_icann_be_a_bit_more_careful_in_handing_out_those_sucky_sites_warns_coe/>

 

ICANN Can Be Fixed

Who stands to benefit the most from President Barack Obama's master plan to surrender the U.S.-created Internet to ICANN? ICANN itself, so it's a little surprising that its board has already accepted (graciously and with gratitude for services rendered, or so we're told) the resignation of its CEO, Fadi Chehade, before the transition is complete.

< <http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/peter-roff/2015/06/05/icann-must-be-fixed-by-next-ceo> http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/peter-roff/2015/06/05/icann-must-be-fixed-by-next-ceo>

 

ICANN Selects Architelos for Domain Abuse Intelligence Reporting

We are pleased to announce that Architelos has yet again been selected by ICANN to provide monthly market intelligence reports on domain name abuse across both new and existing TLDs.

< <http://architelos.com/icann-selects-architelos-for-domain-abuse-intelligence-reporting/> http://architelos.com/icann-selects-architelos-for-domain-abuse-intelligence-reporting/>

 

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

- ccTLD & gTLD NEWS

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

.au ? new domain name real estate?

The Names Panel of the central .au registry auDA is considering whether to open up direct registrations of .au domain names eg. name.au. Presently it is only possible to register second-level domain names eg. name.com.au. A number of other country codes have been opened up for direct registrations in recent years including .cn (China), .uk (United Kingdom) and .nz (New Zealand), which is placing pressure on .au to follow suit despite auDA having previously rejected direct registrations.

< <http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9638ca61-267f-4930-ab2c-3faeb0093dfe> http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9638ca61-267f-4930-ab2c-3faeb0093dfe>

 

dk: Validation process in full swing

DK Hostmaster has begun a big data cleansing of all our user database entries in order to insure valid contact details. Now, your name and address must match the CPR- or CVR register if you reside in Denmark.

< <https://www.dk-hostmaster.dk/english/news/news-single/artikel/validation-process-in-full-swing/> https://www.dk-hostmaster.dk/english/news/news-single/artikel/validation-process-in-full-swing/>

 

nl: Secure the Internet at DHPA Techday

On 21 May, the fifth DHPA Techday took place, with SIDN again acting as main partner. As part of the Techday activities, we organised our own hands-on lab. The lab featured a DNSSEC tutorial for hosters, given by SIDN staffers Jelte Jansen and Arjen Zonneveld. What are the benefits of DNSSEC for hosters and what are the associated issues?

< <https://www.sidn.nl/a/internet-security/secure-the-internet-at-dhpa-techday> https://www.sidn.nl/a/internet-security/secure-the-internet-at-dhpa-techday>

 

FOILing the WHOIS Data for the .nyc TLD

A few of months back, when preparing our 6 month review of the .nyc TLD?s operation ? see here, we grew curious about who had purchased the initial 75,000 .nyc domain names: Was this new resource being allocated in an equitable manner? For example, we wondered if the name purchasers were spread evenly over the city or concentrated in a particular neighborhood or borough. And if they were from a particular social or economic strata.

< <http://www.connectingnyc.org/foiling-nyc-whois-data/> http://www.connectingnyc.org/foiling-nyc-whois-data/>

 

ICM beats own annual projections with .porn on day one

ICM Registry says it managed to comfortably beat its own expectations for annual sales within the first eight hours of .porn and .adult going into general availability yesterday.

< <http://domainincite.com/18656-icm-beats-own-annual-projections-with-porn-on-day-one> http://domainincite.com/18656-icm-beats-own-annual-projections-with-porn-on-day-one>

 

.PORN And .ADULT Take Off As General Availability Commences

The .PORN and .ADULT new gTLDs entered General Availability last Thursday and saw a big jump in registrations. As of 6 June there were 10,354 .porn and 7,823 .adult registrations.

< <http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/06/07/porn-and-adult-take-off/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/06/07/porn-and-adult-take-off/>

 

Watch Stuart Lawley defend .Porn and .Adult

ICM Registry CEO Stuart Lawley was on Bloomberg yesterday. Bloomberg?s Emily Chang asked him to defend the business model of selling .porn and .adult domain names. Doesn?t this force celebrities and brands to pay up to protect themselves?

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/06/04/watch-stuart-lawley-defend-porn-and-adult/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/06/04/watch-stuart-lawley-defend-porn-and-adult/>

 

DNS.pt conducts training in Guinea-Bissau

The DNS.pt held a technical and legal training in Guinea-Bissau, on the 28th of May. The main topics discussed were: A vision of the Internet; The domain name; Legal; Internet security.

< <http://www.dns.pt/en/news/dns-pt-conducts-training-in-guinea-bissau/> http://www.dns.pt/en/news/dns-pt-conducts-training-in-guinea-bissau/>

 

se: New project to fight mass surveillance

.SE has decided to financially contribute to ?Code Red?, a project initiated by whistle-blower Annie Machon and Simon Davies, privacy veteran and founder of Privacy International.

< <https://www.iis.se/english/blog/new-project-to-fight-mass-surveillance/> https://www.iis.se/english/blog/new-project-to-fight-mass-surveillance/>

 

uk: Update following 2015 AGM and NED election results

Nominet?s Annual General Meeting took place yesterday (Tuesday 2 June) at the Sa?d Business School in Oxford.

< <http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/update-following-2015-agm-and-ned-election-results> http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/update-following-2015-agm-and-ned-election-results>

 

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

- NEW TLDS

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

Let?s take a look at corporate new gTLD registration trends

In mid-2013, when companies were preparing for the launch of new gTLDs, some were speculating that domain name portfolios would grow exponentially in an effort to protect brands online. And while some companies have registered core brands across many TLDs, the majority of companies have taken advantage of blocking, and have registered selectively.

< <http://www.ionmag.asia/2015/06/lets-take-a-look-at-corporate-new-gtld-registration-trends/> http://www.ionmag.asia/2015/06/lets-take-a-look-at-corporate-new-gtld-registration-trends/>

 

New gTLD trade group launches

A group of new gTLD registries have got together to form the TLD Operator Community, a new ?think tank? devoted to the commercial aspects of running new TLDs.

< <http://domainincite.com/18658-new-gtld-trade-group-launches> http://domainincite.com/18658-new-gtld-trade-group-launches>

 

Are new gTLD registries ripping off brands with unfair sunrise fees?

Forget .sucks ? several less controversial new gTLD registries have come under fire from the likes of Google, Facebook and Adobe for charging sunrise fees as high as $17,000 for domains matching famous trademarks.

< <http://domainincite.com/18651-are-new-gtld-registries-ripping-off-brands-with-unfair-sunrise-fees> http://domainincite.com/18651-are-new-gtld-registries-ripping-off-brands-with-unfair-sunrise-fees>

 

New gTLD Brand Strategy on the Launchpad in Europe

Though U.S. applicants made up the largest percentage of the new gTLD applicant pool, European brand owners have shown a more robust interest in adding their new gTLD to their digital brand strategy.

< <http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/brandmarketing/new-gtld-brand-strategy-on-the-launchpad-in-europe> http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/brandmarketing/new-gtld-brand-strategy-on-the-launchpad-in-europe>

 

Targeted, campaign-based marketing using new TLDs

If you have a major new campaign or launch coming up, there?s a lot riding on getting the right message to your client base. This is particularly important if your sale, launch or special event takes place in a specific location. Whether you?re opening a new Sydney branch of your national retail chain or organising a charity fun run through the streets of Melbourne, you need locals to know they are the target market for your initiative.

< <http://iconic.sydney/media-release/targeted-campaign-based-marketing-using-new-tlds/> http://iconic.sydney/media-release/targeted-campaign-based-marketing-using-new-tlds/>

 

Where are all the GeoTLDs?

This week I?m down under participating in a conference in Brisbane on the Gold Coast after spending some time with our colleagues and clients in Melbourne. It is always interesting when travelling around overseas cities to see what, if any, new gTLDs are being used. Melbourne, like London and New York City, has its own domain name now so I?d hoped to find some local adoption of the new web address.

< <http://www.netnames.com/blog/2015/06/where-are-all-the-geotlds/> http://www.netnames.com/blog/2015/06/where-are-all-the-geotlds/>

 

Freedom of choice in domain names

>From .ads to .zip. From 2 or 3 characters (.ca and .bio) to 12 or 13 characters (.versicherung and .international). Domain extensions based on geography, media, entertainment, culture, education, technology, sports, health, business, brands and finance. It seems like we have an almost unlimited choice. More than 800 new extensions were launched last year and we can now choose out of 1.300 domain extensions. Did you know that?

< <http://www.dnsbelgium.be/en/news/freedom-choice-domain-names> http://www.dnsbelgium.be/en/news/freedom-choice-domain-names>

 

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

- DNS SECURITY

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

Verisign's Q1 2015 DDoS Trends: Verisign Mitigates More DDoS Attacks in Q1 2015 than Any Quarter in 2014

Verisign just released our Q1 2015 DDoS Trends Report, which provides a unique view into online distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack trends from mitigations on behalf of, and in cooperation with, customers of Verisign DDoS Protection Services, and the security research of iDefense Security Intelligence Services.

< <http://blogs.verisigninc.com/blog/entry/verisign_s_q1> http://blogs.verisigninc.com/blog/entry/verisign_s_q1>

 

3 Key Steps for SMBs to Protect Their Website and Critical Internet Services

The National Small Business Association (NBSA) recently released a report revealing that half of all small businesses have been the victim of a cyber-attack ? and the cost of dealing with these attacks has skyrocketed to $20,752 per attack. In about a third of attacks, the victim?s website was taken down, often for days. The impact of such outages cannot be measured by the immediate lost revenue alone, as the long term impact of the harm to your reputation and customer loss cannot be easily calculated.

< <http://blogs.verisigninc.com/blog/entry/3_key_steps_for_smbs> http://blogs.verisigninc.com/blog/entry/3_key_steps_for_smbs>

 

Data Breach Linked to China Exposes Millions of U.S. Workers

The Obama administration on Thursday announced what appeared to be one of the largest breaches of federal employees? data, involving at least four million current and former government workers in an intrusion that officials said apparently originated in China.

< <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/us/breach-in-a-federal-computer-system-exposes-personnel-data.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/us/breach-in-a-federal-computer-system-exposes-personnel-data.html>

 

U.S. Was Warned of System Open to Cyberattacks

The inspector general at the Office of Personnel Management, which keeps the records and security clearance information for millions of current and retired federal employees, issued a report in November that essentially described the agency?s computer security system as a Chinese hacker?s dream.

< <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/06/us/chinese-hackers-may-be-behind-anthem-premera-attacks.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/06/us/chinese-hackers-may-be-behind-anthem-premera-attacks.html>

 

US government responds to latest hack: give us more power over data collection

Congressional leaders are warning the latest major government data hack proves the Senate should hand the US government greater cybersecurity powers ? even as the stalled legislation to do so would place even more consumer data into the hands of the same government that could not secure its existing information.

< <http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/05/us-government-opm-hack-data-collection-powers> http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/05/us-government-opm-hack-data-collection-powers>

 

Cyberwar: hacking attacks between nations are difficult to prove

It is a story that is becoming all-too-familiar: the US government had to admit on Thursday that one of its key personnel databases, containing the records of up to 4 million staff, had been compromised in a large-scale hacking attack. Officials speaking off the record laid the blame at China?s door, though did not immediately provide any evidence for this claim.

< <http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/05/cyberwar-hacking-attacks-nations-defence> http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/05/cyberwar-hacking-attacks-nations-defence>

 

With a series of major hacks, China builds a database on Americans

China is building massive databases of Americans? personal information by hacking government agencies and U.S. health-care companies, using a high-tech tactic to achieve an age-old goal of espionage: recruiting spies or gaining more information on an adversary, U.S. officials and analysts say.

< <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-a-series-of-hacks-china-appears-to-building-a-database-on-americans/2015/06/05/d2af51fa-0ba3-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html> http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-a-series-of-hacks-china-appears-to-building-a-database-on-americans/2015/06/05/d2af51fa-0ba3-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html>

 

The government won?t say what was in the hacked federal database, but experts have suspicions

Here?s what we know from federal officials about the database that was hacked, compromising the personal information of 4 million current and retired employees: It is kept in a data center at the Department of the Interior.

< <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/06/05/what-employee-information-was-in-the-government-database-hacked-by-the-chinese/> http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/06/05/what-employee-information-was-in-the-government-database-hacked-by-the-chinese/>

 

Why OPM should have seen the latest cyberattack coming

Hackers gained access to information of about 4 million current and former federal employees in December, U.S. officials have said. But the agency at the heart of the attack, the Office of Personnel Management, should have seen it coming.

< <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/06/05/why-opm-should-have-seen-the-latest-cyberattack-coming/> http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/06/05/why-opm-should-have-seen-the-latest-cyberattack-coming/>

 

Millions of US government workers hit by data breach

Chinese hackers are suspected of carrying out a "massive breach" affecting the data of millions of US government workers, officials said.

< <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33017310> http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33017310>

 

Chinese Hackers Behind Breach at Insurers Are Also Responsible for Government Attack, Researchers Say

The Chinese attackers who breached two major health insurers this year were also responsible for the intrusion at the Office of Personnel Management, which handles government security clearances and records for federal employees, researchers say.

< <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/technology/chinese-hackers-behind-breach-at-insurers-are-also-responsible-for-government-attack-researchers-say.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/technology/chinese-hackers-behind-breach-at-insurers-are-also-responsible-for-government-attack-researchers-say.html>

 

Chinese breach data of 4 million federal workers

Hackers working for the Chinese state breached the computer system of the Office of Personnel Management in December, U.S. officials said Thursday, and the agency will notify about 4?million current and former federal employees that their personal data may have been compromised.

< <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/chinese-hackers-breach-federal-governments-personnel-office/2015/06/04/889c0e52-0af7-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html> http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/chinese-hackers-breach-federal-governments-personnel-office/2015/06/04/889c0e52-0af7-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html>

 

China calls U.S. hacking accusations ?irresponsible and unscientific?

China dismissed American computer hacking allegations on Friday as ?irresponsible and unscientific? after Washington accused Beijing of stealing personnel data on millions of federal employees.

< <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-calls-us-hacking-accusations-irresponsible-and-unscientific/2015/06/05/7989cad3-583f-417e-a0b7-34be46eb16ff_story.html> http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-calls-us-hacking-accusations-irresponsible-and-unscientific/2015/06/05/7989cad3-583f-417e-a0b7-34be46eb16ff_story.html>

 

Long Cons: The Next Age of Cyber Attacks

When hackers know that a big payday is coming they don't mind waiting for months for the best moment to strike.

< <http://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities---threats/long-cons-the-next-age-of-cyber-attacks/a/d-id/1320655> http://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities---threats/long-cons-the-next-age-of-cyber-attacks/a/d-id/1320655>

 

Phishers Going the Long Way Round to Avoid Filtering Systems

Any human with an email address likely has gotten thousands of spam messages that look like delivery notifications, invoices, or other alleged communications from shipping companies such as UPS or DHL. They typically contain malicious attachments with exploits for a browser or plug-in vulnerability, but a researcher at the University of Cambridge has run across a novel twist on this kind of spam that turns out to be a completely different kind of attack.

< <https://threatpost.com/phishers-going-the-long-way-round-to-avoid-filtering-systems/113170> https://threatpost.com/phishers-going-the-long-way-round-to-avoid-filtering-systems/113170>

 

SOTI Security Series: Exploratory Data Analysis of a DDoS Database

Akamai maintains a database that records information about different attacks it has observed.  The ongoing analysis of that database is captured each quarter in Akamai's State of the Internet Security Report.

< <https://blogs.akamai.com/2015/06/state-of-the-internet-security-outtakes-deconstructing-the-prolexic-database.html> https://blogs.akamai.com/2015/06/state-of-the-internet-security-outtakes-deconstructing-the-prolexic-database.html>

 

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

- DOMAIN DISPUTES & SEIZURES

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

UDRP Spotlight: A Cybersquatting Question for the Court

The famous Kenny Rogers song ?The Gambler? teaches us that ?you got to know when to hold ?em, know when to fold ?em? but it says nothing about the importance of picking the right casino.

< <http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/udrp-and-urs/a-cybersquatting-question-for-the-court> http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/udrp-and-urs/a-cybersquatting-question-for-the-court>

 

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

- IPv4/IPv6

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

Innovation Will Push IPv6 into the Home Stretch

With the pool of IP version 4 (IPv4) addresses about to run out, the federal government expected its agencies to be much further along in their deployment of IPv6 infrastructure. After all, most new Internet users access government resources via IPv6. However, many agencies, flush with IPv4 addresses but tight on staffing and budget, still don?t feel the urgency.

< <http://www.fedtechmagazine.com/article/2015/05/innovation-will-push-ipv6-home-stretch> http://www.fedtechmagazine.com/article/2015/05/innovation-will-push-ipv6-home-stretch>

 

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

- MISCELLANEOUS

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

EuroDIG Sessions on Friday, June 5, about Cybersecurity, Network Neutrality, IANA, Access and More by Dan York

What do Europeans interested in Internet policy think about cybersecurity, network neutrality, IANA, improving Internet access and other topics? Tomorrow the second day of the European Dialog on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) 2015 in Sofia, Bulgaria, will cover all those topics and many more. I've listed some of the sessions that either I or my Internet Society colleagues are participating in. I will personally be involved as a panelist on the two sessions about cybersecurity.

< <http://www.circleid.com/posts/eurodig_sessions_on_friday_june_5_about_cybersecurity_network_neutrality_ia/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/eurodig_sessions_on_friday_june_5_about_cybersecurity_network_neutrality_ia/>

 

An interesting Google domain name parking patent application

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office just published a Google patent application related to domain name parking.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/06/04/an-interesting-google-domain-name-parking-patent-application/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/06/04/an-interesting-google-domain-name-parking-patent-application/>

 

Norwegian Airline Creates Emoji URL

Norwegian Airlines demonstrates the rise in visual communication, promoting a new flight to Las Vegas with a web address that consists of emojis for an airplane, slot machine and money.

< <http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2411940/norwegian-airline-creates-emoji-url> http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2411940/norwegian-airline-creates-emoji-url>

 

Why everyone needs to think big about domain names

Protecting your name online has never been more important. This is an age where Twitter can damage corporate reputations and an unregistered domain name can severely shake public confidence.

< <http://iconic.sydney/media-release/why-everyone-needs-to-think-big-about-domain-names-2/> http://iconic.sydney/media-release/why-everyone-needs-to-think-big-about-domain-names-2/>

 

Top 5 ways tourism companies can benefit from local domains

The travel and tourism industry has undergone incredible change throughout the last decade as online agencies compete for dominance in an extremely competitive sector. Most travellers are looking for the best travel experience at the lowest price.

< <http://iconic.sydney/media-release/top-5-ways-tourism-companies-can-benefit-from-local-domains/> http://iconic.sydney/media-release/top-5-ways-tourism-companies-can-benefit-from-local-domains/>

 

Why campaigns should choose a local domain over a big spend on social

Whether we like it or not, we live in the age of ?cut-through? politics, where politicians put their better energies towards what plays well with voters.

< <http://iconic.sydney/media-release/why-campaigns-should-choose-a-local-domain-over-a-big-spend-on-social/> http://iconic.sydney/media-release/why-campaigns-should-choose-a-local-domain-over-a-big-spend-on-social/>

 

Top 5 ways small businesses can profit from local domains

Thinking about communication with your customers as a one-way street is a recipe for disaster. Small business owners must think about engagement in different ways ? in particular, how best to utilise online strategies to deliver their brand messages and find new ways to profit.

< <http://iconic.sydney/media-release/top-5-ways-small-businesses-can-profit-from-local-domains/> http://iconic.sydney/media-release/top-5-ways-small-businesses-can-profit-from-local-domains/>

 

Is your regional tourist attraction on the map?

Australia has a lively and varied regional tourism industry. From scenic rural drives to trendy winery day trips, we love to encourage people to see more of the country than just its capital cities. There?s no denying, however, that bustling capitals like Melbourne and Sydney are often the first port of call for international and interstate visitors. The challenge for regional tourist attractions is to market themselves as uniquely appealing while playing up their proximity to capital cities.

< <http://iconic.sydney/media-release/is-your-regional-tourist-attraction-on-the-map/> http://iconic.sydney/media-release/is-your-regional-tourist-attraction-on-the-map/>

 

Tucows? stock in on fire

If you bought shares of Tucows at the opening price on May 1, just a month ago, you?ve already realized a return of a whopping 57%.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/06/04/tucows-stock-in-on-fire/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/06/04/tucows-stock-in-on-fire/>

 

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

- WEBHOSTING

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

New Zealand Web Host Freeparking Deals with Post-Migration Mess

New Zealand web host Freeparking is dealing with some unhappy customers after a migration caused numerous issues including some that have prevented customers from accessing their emails or websites.

< <http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/new-zealand-web-host-freeparking-deals-with-post-migration-mess> http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/new-zealand-web-host-freeparking-deals-with-post-migration-mess>

 

Russian hosting providers call on internet ombudsman for support

Russia?s hosting providers have appealed to internet ombudsman Dmitry Marinichev for help in building constructive dialogue with the authorities during the All-Russia Hosting Providers and Registrars Forum, which was held in the Leningrad Region from May 28 to 30.

< <http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=6849> http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=6849>

 

Most Reliable Hosting Company Sites in May 2015

EveryCity had the most reliable website during May 2015, responding to all but two of Netcraft's requests. Since Netcraft began monitoring its site in April 2014, EveryCity has maintained a 100% uptime record. Besides SmartOS-based hosting, EveryCity also specialises in Solaris hosting on both SPARC and Intel platforms.

< <http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2015/06/02/most-reliable-hosting-company-sites-in-may-2015-2.html> http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2015/06/02/most-reliable-hosting-company-sites-in-may-2015-2.html>

 

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

- DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET

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

Screw You, Milk Companies: Milk.com Is One of the Last Bastions of the Old Internet

In 2010 the domain name "sex.com" sold for a whopping $12 million dollars, which made it the most expensive patch of HTML ever registered. It's just a word. A homestead accidentally built on a juicy vein of algorithmic oil. Gary Kremen, the man who claimed the domain back in 1995, is the internet's own Beverly Hillbilly. There's no mathematical difference between sex.com and sxe.com, except for the fact that sex.com is worth $12 million.

< <http://www.vice.com/read/scerw-you-milk-companies-milkcom-is-one-of-the-last-bastions-of-the-old-internet> http://www.vice.com/read/scerw-you-milk-companies-milkcom-is-one-of-the-last-bastions-of-the-old-internet>

 

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

REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS

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

The social significance of the Facebook Like button by Veikko Eranti, Markku Lonkila

Abstract: In this paper we study social aspects of using the Like button for purposes of impression management, identity construction, and maintenance of social ties online. On the theoretical level our investigation combines Goffman?s notion of face-work with concepts of social network analysis, shedding light on what we dub ?nano-level? interaction and sociality on social networking sites.

< <http://journals.uic.edu/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/5505> http://journals.uic.edu/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/5505>

 

Can regimes really discourage social networking? Urbanization, mobile phone use, and the dictator's plight by Shin Haeng Lee

Abstract: Are dictators ever really successful at hindering the diffusion of social networking services (SNSs)? This study reports a panel data analysis on 181 countries observed from 2010 to 2013, to assess country-level predictors of Facebook adoption. The findings show that the spread of such a global SNS decelerates as perceptions of democratic governance deteriorate above and beyond socioeconomic and infrastructural development.

< <http://journals.uic.edu/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/5420> http://journals.uic.edu/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/5420>

 

The Effect of Piracy Website Blocking on Consumer Behavior by Brett Danaher, Michael D. Smith & Rahul Telang

Abstract: Understanding the relationship between copyright policy and consumer behavior is an increasingly important topic for participants in digital media markets. In this paper we seek to study how consumer behavior changes when Internet Service Providers are required to block access to major piracy websites. We do this in the context of two court-ordered events affecting consumers in the UK: The blocking order directed at The Pirate Bay in May 2012, and blocking orders directed at 19 major piracy sites in October and November 2013.

< <http://ssrn.com/abstract=2612063> http://ssrn.com/abstract=2612063>

 

Privacy Without Screens & the Internet of Other People's Things by Meg Leta (Ambrose) Jones [Idaho Law Review]

Abstract: Screens have formed the foundation of our experience with connected content, and information exchange agreements adhere to this comfortable arrangement. While the addition of screens, tabs, and apps complicated information collection and privacy, a lack of screens promises to further complicate the arrangement. Notice and choice, wherein an information collector notified information subjects of what would be gathered and how it would processed, is incredibly challenging in a screen world and is even more challenging in a smart world without screens.

< <http://ssrn.com/abstract=2614066> http://ssrn.com/abstract=2614066>

 

The New Cybersecurity Agenda: Economic and Social Challenges to a Secure Internet by Johannes M. Bauer & William H. Dutton

Abstract: This paper focuses on key economic and social factors underpinning worldwide issues around cybersecurity and, identifies a new agenda for addressing these issues that is being shaped by the Internet and related information and communication technologies, such as social media. All actors in the widening ecology of the Internet require a better social and cultural understanding of cybersecurity issues in order to effectively engage all relevant stakeholders in processes aimed at enhancing cybersecurity.

< <http://ssrn.com/abstract=2614545> http://ssrn.com/abstract=2614545>

 

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

INTERNET USE

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

Internet of Things Spending to Reach 1.7 Trillion by 2020

The worldwide Internet of Things (IoT) market will grow from $655.8 billion in 2014 to $1.7 trillion in 2020, according to research company International Data Corporation (IDC).

< <http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2411703/internet-of-things-spending-to-reach-17-trillion-by-2020> http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2411703/internet-of-things-spending-to-reach-17-trillion-by-2020>

 

Apple and Google set their sights on their next battleground: your home

Visions of the smart home -- a house that can set its own thermostat, schedule its own lights and preheat its own ovens -- are fast-becoming a reality. The technology is becoming smaller, faster and cheaper, opening new opportunities for transforming everyday objects.

< <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/06/05/apple-and-google-set-their-sights-on-their-next-battleground-your-home/> http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/06/05/apple-and-google-set-their-sights-on-their-next-battleground-your-home/>

 

Online advertising: Internet users are increasingly blocking ads, including on their mobiles

In advertising, an old adage holds, half the money spent is wasted; the problem is that no one knows which half. This should be less of a problem in online advertising, since readers? tastes and habits can be tracked, and ads tailored accordingly. But consumers are increasingly using software that blocks advertising on the websites they visit. If current trends continue, the saying in the industry may well become that half the ads aimed at consumers never reach their screens. This puts at risk online publishing?s dominant business model, in which consumers get content and services free in return for granting advertisers access to their eyeballs.

< <http://www.economist.com/news/business/21653644-internet-users-are-increasingly-blocking-ads-including-their-mobiles-block-shock> http://www.economist.com/news/business/21653644-internet-users-are-increasingly-blocking-ads-including-their-mobiles-block-shock>

 

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

CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY

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

Fighting online abuse of children has driven it underground - report

A pan-European drive to use the financial system to fight online child abuse has succeeded in reducing sales of child abuse material using conventional payment systems ? but research suggests that abusers have been driven underground, turning to anonymiser technologies to evade law enforcement, and bitcoin to pay for material.

< <http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/05/online-child-abuse-driven-underground> http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/05/online-child-abuse-driven-underground>

 

Europol hosts annual experts meeting on combating child sexual exploitation

This week, Europol?s EC3 brought together over 130 experts from close to 50 countries to discuss joint cooperation in combating online child sexual exploitation. The experts representing law enforcement authorities, the European Commission, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and academia met for three days to discuss research activities, operational activities, preventive legislation and more.

< <https://www.europol.europa.eu/latest_news/europol-hosts-annual-experts-meeting-combating-child-sexual-exploitation> https://www.europol.europa.eu/latest_news/europol-hosts-annual-experts-meeting-combating-child-sexual-exploitation>

 

au: Hardcore internet pornography 'most prominent sexual educator' for young people, experts say

"Some boys or girls, they expect that sex is violent ? [that] it is OK to use chains or whips, to hurt someone."

< <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-04/porn-most-prominent-sexual-educator-experts-warn/6522846> http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-04/porn-most-prominent-sexual-educator-experts-warn/6522846>

 

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

PRIVACY & SURVEILLANCE

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

Glenn Greenwald says Australia is 'one of most aggressive' in mass surveillance

Australia is one of the most aggressive countries in the world in terms of mass surveillance and its techniques could be the subject of future leaks, journalist Glenn Greenwald, who first reported on the Edward Snowden revelations for the Guardian, has said.

< <http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/05/glenn-greenwald-says-australia-is-one-of-most-aggressive-in-mass-surveillance> http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/05/glenn-greenwald-says-australia-is-one-of-most-aggressive-in-mass-surveillance>

 

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

GOVERNMENT & POLICY

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

au: Labor senators back stricter biometric data storage rules

Labor members of the Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs have called for changes to be made to a government bill that, if passed, will increase the powers of the immigration department to collect biometric identifiers.

< <http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/576769/labor-senators-push-stricter-biometric-data-storage-rules/> http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/576769/labor-senators-push-stricter-biometric-data-storage-rules/>

 

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

MISCELLANEOUS

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

Amazon, Google and Facebook have the power to move entire economies

The world of data has its own economics. If you know one thing about one person, you don?t have much. If you know one thing about nearly everyone or nearly everything about one person, you have a little. But if you know nearly everything about nearly everyone, you?ve got something priceless. Essentially, data giants are middlemen who connect buyers with sellers for a fee. Google, for example, takes a place among the premier content providers in the world. Every day, the company handles millions of searches for its users. But mainly, it creates lots and lots of lists. Google became what it is because its lists are very useful to millions of users. But in nearly every case, what a user wants is not provided by Google itself. Google just connects what the user wants with a list of relevant web pages. Google?s famous web crawlers search the Internet, making lists and rendering those lists to users.

< <http://www.salon.com/2015/06/07/our_massive_new_monopolies_amazon_google_and_facebook_have_the_power_to_move_entire_economies/> http://www.salon.com/2015/06/07/our_massive_new_monopolies_amazon_google_and_facebook_have_the_power_to_move_entire_economies/>

 

 

------

David Goldstein

 

email:  <mailto:david at goldsteinreport.com> david at goldsteinreport.com

web:  <http://goldsteinreport.com/> http://goldsteinreport.com/

Twitter:  <https://twitter.com/goldsteinreport> https://twitter.com/goldsteinreport

phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9663 3430 - 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

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.cynosure.com.au/mailman/private/dns/attachments/20150608/3373152c/attachment-0001.html>