Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Two Registrars Lose ICANN Accreditation http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-09feb10-en.htm China's .cn Cleanup Shows Politics Behind Web Rules [IDG] http://www.pcworld.com/article/189088/.html Simulated cyber-attack to test government response http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9155318/Simulated_cyber_attack_to_test_government_response In the Crossfire - Critical Infrastructure in the Age of Cyber-war http://newsroom.mcafee.com/ de: Willi Weber concerned about 'Schumacher' domain names and website http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20078&Itemid=219 Annual Sedo Domain Name Study Finds Keyword Domains Dominate Marketplace http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=10340 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Two Registrars Lose ICANN Accreditation ICANN terminated its accreditation agreement with two registrars ISPREG LTD and SBNames Ltd for failure to comply with the requirements of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA), the contract between ICANN and registrars that governs the registration of domain names under generic top-level domains such as dot-com and dot-org. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-09feb10-en.htm ICANN and Its Responsibilities to the Global Public Interest by David Maher In 1998, the United States government might have taken a different path in asserting its control over the technical administration of the DNS. It might have asserted full U.S. governmental control, or it might have turned over the functions to an international body such as the International Telecommunications Union. Instead, it created a "private-public partnership", incorporated as a California "nonprofit public benefit corporation", with a charter giving the company a dual mission of quasi-governmental functions combined with responsibility for operational stability of the Internet. http://www.circleid.com/posts/icann_and_its_responsibilities_to_the_global_public_interest/ Domain names in Indian languages in three months Domain names on the worldwide web in Indian languages could be a reality within three months, bringing the world of web closer to the masses. http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-48710.html DNGLOBE LLC Loses ICANN Accreditation For Failure to Pay Outstanding Fees The not-for-profit body responsible for the assignment of domain names and IP addresses has terminated its Registrar Accreditation Agreement with registrar DNGLOBE LLC for failure to comply with the requirements of the agreement. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/020810_DNGLOBE_LLC_Loses_ICANN_Accreditation_For_Failure_to_Pay_Outstanding_Fees ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** China's .cn Cleanup Shows Politics Behind Web Rules [IDG] China's Web domain agency has hired 600 temporary workers to help it vet all domain names ending in .cn for pornographic content and inaccurate records, according to two people familiar with the matter. http://www.pcworld.com/article/189088/.html http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9155358/China_s_.cn_cleanup_shows_politics_behind_Web_rules http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/021110-chinas-cn-cleanup-shows-politics.html New Era for .CO Begins As of 00:01 on 7 February, a new era began for the .CO (Colombia) ccTLD began with the transition of management of the registry from Universidad de los Andes to .CO Internet SAS. http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/02/09/new-era-for-co-begins/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/new-era-for-.co-begins.html Montenegro's .me domain name gain Montenegro's independence has lead to the creation of a .me domain, the BBC reports. When it comes to top level domain names, some countries are luckier than others. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=02&dd=09&nav_id=65085 ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Simulated cyber-attack to test government response Security industry analysts and lawmakers will get an unprecedented chance next week to evaluate how the government might respond to a cyber-attack on critical infrastructure targets. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9155318/Simulated_cyber_attack_to_test_government_response Internet Stability and Security conference: 17 Feb, Washington DC The Internet is a global infrastructure that has become central to economic activity around the world. At this event, Kenneth Silva (Verisign) and Gregory Rattray (ICANN) will discuss the risks of attack, whether the Internet can be protected, and whether it can be cripled. http://csis.org/event/internet-stability-and-security Can insurers protect the U.S. from cyberattack? The newest soldier on the frontlines of America's cyber defenses could be an insurance salesman. To prepare American companies for the costly fallout of hacks, as recently experienced by Google's operations in China, a market for cyber insurance has been taking root and is extending coverage to keep companies and customers safe in cyberspace. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100210_8138.php In the Crossfire - Critical Infrastructure in the Age of Cyber-war In most developed countries, critical infrastructure is connected to the Internet and can lack proper security functions, leaving these installations vulnerable to attacks. Without the appropriate protection combined with the current lack of preparedness, an attack on these infrastructures would be detrimental and will cause more destruction than any previous cyber attacks. In the crossfire ? Critical Infrastructure in the Age of Cyber-War analyses these trends and issues, and provides a global report on the threats and issues facing companies and governments providing critical infrastructure. http://newsroom.mcafee.com/ http://newsroom.mcafee.com/images/10039/CIP Executive Summary.pdf [Executive Summary] http://newsroom.mcafee.com/images/10039/In the Crossfire_CIP report.pdf [Report] ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** de: Willi Weber concerned about 'Schumacher' domain names and website Michael Schumacher's manager has expressed concern about a website featuring the famous seven time Formula 1 World Champion's name. http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20078&Itemid=219 Yahoo Goes After Y.COM Trademark (Again) On 12 January 2010, Yahoo applied for a trademark on Y.COM, a filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office reveals. http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/11/yahoo-trademark/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Pakistan needs to shift to Internet Protocol Version 6 The country is likely to enter the emerging global Internet Protocol Version, IPv6 pool subsequently with the rapidly depleting IPv4 addresses in Pakistan by mid 2014. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\02\09\story_9-2-2010_pg5_20 ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Annual Sedo Domain Name Study Finds Keyword Domains Dominate Marketplace Keyword domain names dominated the top selling domain sales through online marketplace Sedo in 2009 according to the latest Sedo Domain Market Study. The study found that .COM continues to be the dominant Top Level Domain with 44 per cent of all domain sales. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=10340 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/02/10/annual-sedo-domain-name-study-finds-keyword-domains-dominate-marketplace/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/annual-sedo-domain-name-study-finds-keyword-domains-dominate-marketplace.html Sedo's Domain Market Study: 2009 Overview with Q4 Highlights [news release] Sedo, the leading online domain marketplace and monetization provider, today announced the release of their 2009 Market Study, which includes never before released fourth quarter trends. http://www.sedo.com/presse/presse.php?tracked=&partnerid=&language=e&id=301 Marketers snap up keyword domains [news release] Global domain marketplace Sedo today announced the release of its latest global Market Study, highlighting key domain trends from 2009 and, for the first time, announcing statistics from the last quarter of the year. http://www.sedo.com/presse/presse.php?tracked=&partnerid=&language=e&id=300 Web domains remained big business in 2009 The domain name industry has emerged unscathed from the economic slowdown, according to new figures released today by domain name marketplace Sedo. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2257578/domains-remain-big-business http://uk.news.yahoo.com/16/20100209/ttc-web-domains-remained-big-business-in-6315470.html Top 10 domain names sales of 2009 The top ten selling .co.uk addresses in the past quarter were made up of keyword terms, according to Global Domain Marketplace Sedo,. whick also unveiled the top ten sales of .com and .co.uk domain names of the past year. http://www.netimperative.com/news/2010/february/top-10-domain-names-sales-of-2009 ********************** RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** The Development Dimension: ICTs for Development - Improving Policy Coherence Information communication technologies (ICTs) are crucial to reducing poverty, improving access to health and education services and creating new sources of income and employment for the poor. Being able to access and use ICTs has become a major factor in driving competitiveness, economic growth and social development. In the last decade, ICTs, particularly mobile phones, have also opened up new channels for the free flow of ideas and opinions, thereby promoting democracy and human rights. http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?sf1=identifiers&st1=032009091P1&LANG=EN ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Google to Offer Fast Broadband as Trial to Spur Providers Google on Wednesday introduced a plan to offer ultra-high-speed Internet access to consumers in a test intended to showcase the potential new uses of broadband networks once such speeds become commonplace. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/technology/companies/11google.html Google to offer 'ultra high-speed' broadband in US Google is spreading its wings in yet another direction - this time as a network provider, offering super-fast broadband to thousands of US homes. It plans to build a fibre-optic network offering speeds of up to 1Gbps (gigabit per second) to up to 500,000 homes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8509110.stm Google to test ultra fast broadband lines Google is to begin testing ultrafast broadband in America as it lobbies the US government to spend more on improving internet access across the country. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/feb/10/google-fibre-broadband Google makes a push into super-fast broadband access Google staked a claim on another corner of the technology universe Wednesday, saying it now wants to turbocharge your Internet connection. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/10/AR2010021001649.html Google: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network Imagine sitting in a rural health clinic, streaming three-dimensional medical imaging over the web and discussing a unique condition with a specialist in New York. Or downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes. Or collaborating with classmates around the world while watching live 3-D video of a university lecture. Universal, ultra high-speed Internet access will make all this and more possible. We've urged the FCC to look at new and creative ways to get there in its National Broadband Plan ? and today we're announcing an experiment of our own. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/think-big-with-gig-our-experimental.html Internet porn addiction focus of Australia-first study [news release] In the first study of its kind University of Sydney researchers are investigating how addiction to internet porn affects people's work, finances and relationships. http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/84.html?newscategoryid=1&newsstoryid=4467 Internet porn addiction focus of Australia-first study [News-Medical.Net] In the first study of its kind University of Sydney researchers are investigating how addiction to internet porn affects people's work, finances and relationships. http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100209/Internet-porn-addiction-focus-of-Australia-first-study.aspx Survey to seek cure for porn addiction [AAP] Australians are being urged to come clean about their private internet habits in a new survey about addiction to pornography. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/6780637/survey-to-seek-cure-for-porn-addiction/ One in three women, seven in 10 men watch online porn - study Seventy per cent of men and 30 per cent of women view pornography online - and it only becomes a "major problem" when taken to extremes, a study in Sydney has declared. http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/one-in-three-women-seven-in-10-men-watch-online-porn-study/story-e6frfku0-1225828803198 http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,26703954-23272,00.html 45% of men watch porn online More than two in five (45 percent) men use the internet to watch porn, says WinMonkey. Research by the competition website revealed that of those that watch porn online, 87 percent immediately erase their browsing history, while only a third would publicly admit to it. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=3212380 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook is the new threat to Google More people are coming to US news sites via Facebook and other social networking sites such as Twitter ? supplanting Google News, which had been one of the primary sources of readers, according to research by the metrics company Hitwise. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/feb/09/facebook-google-news-search With Buzz, Google Plunges Into Social Networking Google and Facebook are on a collision course in the increasingly competitive market for social networking services. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/technology/internet/10social.html Google to turn email into social network Google is to expand its email service by turning it into a social network to take on the growing challenge it faces from rivals like Facebook. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/feb/09/google-launch-expand-social-networking Google takes on Facebook and Twitter with network site Google has taken the wraps off its latest social network known as Buzz. The service - integrated directly with its e-mail service Gmail - allows users to post status updates, share content and read and comment on friends' posts. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8506148.stm Australian privacy group swats Google Buzz Google Buzz has come under heavy criticism from the Australian Privacy Foundation, which believes the new social networking tool has major privacy flaws. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/335937/privacy_group_swats_google_buzz/ Initial Reactions to Google Buzz and Privacy Issues by Roger Clarke ... The initial reactions below relate solely to the privacy aspects of the product. One reason for that limitation is that that's what the reporter asked me about. But another is that Google has an extremely bad record in the privacy aspects of their products. And Buzz leverages off existing services, and vast holdings of personal data. So it's important that Google gets it right - important to Google's users, and important to Google itself. http://www.rogerclarke.com/II/GB-100211.html Google Buzz criticised for disclosing Gmail contacts One day after its launch, privacy concerns have been raised about Google's new Gmail-based social-networking tool, Buzz. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9155338/Google_Buzz_criticized_for_disclosing_Gmail_contacts http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/newmedia/google-buzz-criticised-for-disclosing-gmail-contacts Google Buzz takes aim at Twitter and Facebook [Reuters] Google has injected social networking features into its popular web email product as the world's No. 1 search engine seeks to fend off competition from Facebook and Twitter. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-buzz-takes-aim-at-twitter-and-facebook-1894332.html Google adding status updates to Gmail: WSJ [Relax News] Google plans to make it easier for users of Gmail to view online status updates from friends in a swipe at Twitter and Facebook, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/google-adding-status-updates-to-gmail-wsj-1894652.html Google Buzz takes the fight to Facebook When the world's largest Internet company decides to spend some of its massive development budget on social networking tools, industry analysts say the likes of Facebook and Twitter better take a long glance over their shoulder. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9154478/Google_Buzz_takes_the_fight_to_Facebook http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/335692/google_buzz_takes_fight_facebook/ Taming Twitter?s Stream With an Automated Web Site Unlike Facebook, whose builders strive to make it an ever more organized social network, Twitter seems to thrive on being a jumble. It is an egalitarian sort of mess: Twitter does not sort its users into categories, does not tag some as celebrities, does not map out who does lunch with whom in the real world. You and Shaquille O?Neal are Twitter equals, only he has an extra 2.8 million followers. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/technology/personaltech/11basics.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Sweden beats U.S. to top tech usage ranking Sweden took the number one spot from the United States to top the annual rankings on the usage of telecommunications technologies such as networks, cellphones and computers, a report released on Thursday shows. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE61A13L20100211 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-46082420100211 ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ YouTube Adding Parental Controls YouTube has coming under fire from parents who think some of the content on the popular Web site is unsuitable for their kids. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/10/earlyshow/leisure/gamesgadgetsgizmos/main6193508.shtml Safer Internet Day targets 5-7 year olds and Microsoft's web browser On Safer Internet Day, the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre is promoting a cartoon to help children stay safe online, and making information and advice available via Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/feb/09/ceop-microsoft-keeping-children-safe-online Online safety push for five-year-olds Children as young as five are being targeted in a new online safety campaign by the UK body charged with protecting children from abuse. The campaign uses cartoons to show five to seven-year-olds that people are not always what they seem. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8499356.stm When the tech becomes unfriendly As Safer Internet Day emphasises ways for people to avoid trouble online, BBC News looks at what is behind so-called griefing and cyber bullying. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8504520.stm Government advice: Browse safely with Microsoft Today is Safer Internet Day and in the UK, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) is promoting two ideas to make the web more secure for children. The first is an animated film aimed at helping children aged five to seven to stay safe - Ceop says eight in 10 of them now use the internet. The second is a joint initiative with Microsoft. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/rorycellanjones/2010/02/government_advice_browse_safel.html European Commission calls on social networking companies to improve child safety policies [news release] 50% of European teenagers give out personal information on the web ? according to an EU study ? which can remain online forever and can be seen by anybody. Today, Safer Internet Day, the European Commission is passing a message to teenagers: "Think before you post!" http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/144 Instantly online-17 golden rules for mobile social networks [news release] Instantly online-17 golden rules to combat online risks and for safer surfing mobile social networks The EU ?cyber security? Agency - ENISA (the European Network and Information Security Agency) today presents a new report on accessing social networks over mobile phones, ?Online as soon as it happens?. The report points out the risks and threats of mobile social networking services, e.g. identity theft, corporate data leakage and reputation risks of mobile social networks. The report also gives 17 ?golden rules? on how to combat these threats. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/instantly-online-17-golden-rules-for-mobile-social-networks 'Safer Internet Day' draws attention to dangers of social networking Tuesday marks Safer Internet Day, created to encourage safer and more responsible use of online technology. A spokesman for the EU's cyber security body told Deutsche Welle how you can best protect yourself online. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5230352,00.html Social networking sites failing to hide kids' details, finds European Commission More than half of social networking sites assessed by the European Commission fail to hide the personal details of under-18s by default, the EU body has warned. It said that 50% of teenagers display personal information on the internet. http://out-law.com/page-10742 Microsoft launches 'child-friendly' Internet Explorer The 'Click Clever, Click Safe' browser will enable young users to report cyber bullying and inappropriate content to the authorities http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/7190399/Microsoft-launches-child-friendly-Internet-Explorer.html Advice For Parents On Safer Internet Day Parents have been told to teach their children the Digital Code to protect their wellbeing as part of Safer Internet Day. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Technology/Parents-Told-To-Teach-Digital-Code-To-Protect-Childrens-Wellbeing-As-Part-Of-Safer-Internet-Day/Article/201002215545139 New initiative launched to keep children safe online Four children every day across the UK are at immediate risk from online paedophiles or bullies, the head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre has warned. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/new-initiative-launched-to-keep-children-safe-online-14673177.html Internet safety day puts spotlight on children Today is Internet Safety Day and a timely reminder that we should take action to help protect our children on the internet. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/internet-safety-day-puts-spotlight-on-children-20100209-nooz.html au: Google baulks at Conroy's call to censor YouTube Google says it will not "voluntarily" comply with the government's request that it censor YouTube videos in accordance with broad "refused classification" (RC) content rules. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/google-baulks-at-conroys-call-to-censor-youtube-20100211-ntm0.html au: Police warn of 'sexting' danger Sexually explicit photos schoolchildren take of themselves on their mobile phones and send to friends are ending up in the hands of paedophiles, police have warned. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/6772738/police-warn-of-sexting-danger/ au: Sexualised images stir parliamentary debate Moves to cut down the sexualisation of girls in the media has won support from both sides of politics, but media commentators say the Federal Government should take a cautious approach to regulation. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/09/2814901.htm au: Politicians complain about parliament filter Politicians have complained about an overly zealous web filter installed in Canberra's Parliament House, with one Liberal senator saying its glitches didn't bode well for the planned mandatory internet service provider level filtering. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Politicians-complain-about-parliament-filter/0,130061791,339300927,00.htm au: 80pc back web filter: poll A new poll has found overwhelming support for the Government's internet filter, but an online rights group says that is because people do not know enough about the scheme. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/10/2815232.htm 80% of Aussies support filter A survey commissioned by the ABC's Hungry Beast, has found that 80 per cent of respondents supported Labor's proposed filter. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/80-of-Aussies-support-filter-/0,130061791,339300949,00.htm Federal Opposition renews call for ISP filter trial audit The Federal Opposition has renewed its call for an independent audit of the Rudd Government?s mandatory ISP-level filtering trial. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/335771/federal_opposition_renews_call_isp_filter_trial_audit/ au: Cyber attack hits Parliament websites again The Australian Parliament website has again been shut down by hackers protesting against the Federal Government's plans to block certain internet sites. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/11/2816658.htm au: Filter protesters down parliament website [AAP] An internet group has taken down the Australian Parliament House website and hacked into Kevin Rudd's website in a series of coordinated protests against plans to filter the internet. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/parliament-website-downed-by-hackers/story-e6frgakx-1225828844405 Operation Titstorm: hackers bring down government websites Groups opposing the government's internet censorship plans have condemned today's attacks on government websites, saying it will do little to help their cause, while Communications Minister Stephen Conroy called them "totally irresponsible". http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/operation-titstorm-hackers-bring-down-government-websites-20100210-nqku.html http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/technology-news/operation-titstorm-hackers-bring-down-government-websites-20100210-nqku.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3312167/ Hackers 'titstorm' the PM and Parliament House [AAP] WEBSITES were shut down, public servants received threatening phone calls and pornography was plastered across Kevin Rudd's home page in a major cyber protest against government plans to filter the internet. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/hackers-titstorm-the-pm-and-parliament-house/story-e6frg6nf-1225828956252 Australia cyber attacks could last 'months': hackers [AFP] A shadowy group of cyber-activists who succeeded Thursday in jamming key Australian government websites for a second consecutive day warned they could shut down the sites for months. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/australia-cyber-attacks-could-last-months-hackers-20100211-nuzc.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/australia-cyber-attacks-could-last-months-hackers-20100211-nuzc.html Titstorm still flooding govt The group known as Anonymous has continued its attack on government websites today in protest against the Australian Government's proposed internet service provider level filter. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Titstorm-still-flooding-govt-/0,130061744,339300977,00.htm Australian govt websites face censorship protest [AFP] A shadowy group of cyber-activists blocked key Australian government websites on Wednesday to protest against controversial plans to filter the Internet. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/australian-govt-websites-face-censorship-protest-20100210-nsbg.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/australian-govt-websites-face-censorship-protest-20100210-nsbg.html Hackers disrupt Australian government Web sites [AP] Hackers shut down several Australian government Web sites Wednesday in a coordinated attack against a proposed Internet filter that targets pornography and criminal sites. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/hackers-disrupt-australian-government-web-sites-20100210-ns6p.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/hackers-disrupt-australian-government-web-sites-20100210-ns6p.html Titstorm 'irresponsible', says Conroy Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has called attacks on government websites meant as a protest against his planned filtering scheme "totally irresponsible". http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Titstorm-irresponsible-says-Conroy/0,130061744,339300956,00.htm Govt websites attacked by Titstorm A group calling themselves anonymous have attacked two prominent government websites in a protest against the Federal Government's planned internet service provider level filtering scheme. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Govt-websites-attacked-by-Titstorm/0,130061744,339300948,00.htm Pro-porn protesters target government websites An internet protest group has launched an attack on Government websites in a protest against the proposed internet filter and censorship of some pornography. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/10/2815605.htm Australian parliament Web site attacked [IDG] The Australian Parliament's Web site was hit by an apparent denial-of-service attack Wednesday, two days after the hacking group Anonymous threatened attacks over the government's plan to filter Web content. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/335814/australian_parliament_web_site_attacked/ Operation Titstorm attacks Aussie web filtering plans Official Australian web sites have been attacked by a group campaigning against the government's plan to ban internet pornography. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2257681/operation-titstorm-attacks Hackers attack Australian government over internet filter plans Hackers have attacked websites run by the Australian government in a co-ordinated protest over the plans to introduce a controversial internet filter that targets pornography and criminal sites. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/7209724/Hackers-attack-Australian-government-over-internet-filter-plans.html Anonymous targets Australian government over porn filters The Australian government found itself victim of a cyberattack on Wednesday morning as a protest against the government's plan to begin filtering certain types of pornography from being accessed online. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/02/anonymous-targets-australian-government-over-porn-filters.ars Australian govt websites face censorship protest A shadowy group of cyber-activists blocked key Australian government websites on Wednesday to protest against controversial plans to filter the Internet. http://www.physorg.com/news185001189.html Anonymous strikes again A group of cyber-activists blocked key Australian government websites on Wednesday to protest against controversial plans to filter the internet. http://technology.iafrica.com/news/technology/2217948.htm nz: Facebook page taken down by student The student behind a Facebook group attacking the principal of the one of the country's biggest schools has taken the webpage down. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/facebook-page-taken-down-student-3352537 nz: Support for principal as police probe hate website As police investigate a vicious online attack against a former Wanganui principal, supporters have launched a new site in support of Warwick Maguire. http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/local/news/support-for-principal-as-police-probe-hate-website/3909765/ nz: Police probe online campaign against principal [NZPA] Police are investigating a vicious online attack against a new Christchurch principal. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10625040 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10625040 http://www.3news.co.nz/Vicious-Facebook-attack-on-new-Burnside-principal/tabid/423/articleID/140807/Default.aspx?ArticleID=140807 http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/92446/vicious-facebook-attack-school-principal http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/principal-targeted-facebook-3351636 Racy website 'sexualises' tweens Kasma Booty enters the cocktail bar, her breasts partly concealed by burlesque nipple pasties and a red leather jacket. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3304762/ au: Trial to lift web safety as cyber bullying increases STUDENTS will be taught how to ward off online predators and cope with cyber-bullying under a national trial to be announced today. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,26701030-3102,00.html au: 48 Victorian schools to get share of $3m cyber-safety scheme FORTY-EIGHT Victorian schools will get a share of a $3 million cyber-safety scheme today. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victorian-schools-to-get-share-of-3m-cyber-safety-scheme/story-e6frf7jo-1225828530042 Safer Internet Day fights online foolhardiness Young surfers are being encouraged to practise safe computing and use common sense online on Safer Internet Day today. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02/09/internet_safety_day/ Safer internet day: parents urged to teach children the 'Digital Code' Parents are being told to teach children as young as five the dangers of the internet as part of a campaign to mark Safer Internet day. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7195126/Safer-internet-day-parents-urged-to-teach-children-the-Digital-Code.html Hands-on: Microsoft launches child-friendly IE8 A major European campaign, Safer Internet Day (SID), kicked off today, with the intent of teaching children aged five and up the importance of protecting their online identity and not talking to strangers. Microsoft's Internet Explorer team, in association with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), took the opportunity to launch a new version of IE8 that makes it easy for youngsters to find information about staying safe online. http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/02/hands-on-microsoft-launches-child-friendly-ie8.ars Microsoft unveils child-friendly version of IE8 Nearly two thirds (64 percent) of under 18s have been contacted by a stranger online, says Microsoft. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=3212191 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/020910-microsoft-unveils-child-friendly-version-of.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** India's music millionaires turn to slumdog pirates for help In a tiny booth in a teeming Mumbai bazaar sits a potential saviour of the Indian music industry. He?s not a budding sitar player, or a famed Bollywood composer. He?s a mobile phone repairman and a small-time bootlegger. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article7020514.ece Queenslander to pay Nintendo $1.5m for illegal uploading of New Super Mario Bros [AAP] A Queensland man will have to pay Nintendo $1.5 million in damages after illegally copying and uploading one of its new games to the internet ahead of its release, the gaming giant says. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/09/2814726.htm http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/james-burt-to-pay-nintendo-15m-for-illegal-uploading-of-new-super-mario-bros/story-e6frgakx-1225828434339 http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/games/nintendo-pirate-to-pay-15m-20100209-np4i.html Gamer to pay Nintendo $1.3 mln for illegal upload [AFP] An Australian man has agreed to pay Nintendo 1.3 million US US dollars for illegally uploading a game to the Internet six days before its global release, the firm said Tuesday. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/gamer-to-pay-nintendo-13-mln-for-illegal-upload-20100209-nphs.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/gamer-to-pay-nintendo-13-mln-for-illegal-upload-20100209-nphs.html Rudd non-committal on copyright law change chances Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has shied away from committing to legislative change to copyright enforcement in the wake of the AFACT v iiNet decision at the Federal Court of Australia last week. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/335522/rudd_non-committal_copyright_law_change_chances/ ISP did not authorise customers' copyright infringement, says Australian court An ISP was not liable for the copyright infringement of its customers, an Australian court has ruled, in what the judge claimed was the world's first full trial of its kind. Australian and UK law on copyright liability are very similar. http://out-law.com/page-10735 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Facebook leads rise in mobile web use More than 25% of UK's population ? some 16 million people ? accessed the Internet from mobile phones in December. And what were they looking for? The GSMA Mobile Media Metrics, published for the first time on Friday, provide an insight: on the mobile internet, people want to know what their friends are up to - and perhaps do a bit of flirting. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/feb/08/facebook-rise-mobile-web-use Quantum trick for pressure-sensitive mobile devices Handheld devices could soon have pressure-sensitive touch-screens and keys, thanks to a UK firm's material that exploits a quantum physics trick. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8504373.stm ********************** SPAM ********************** Small drop in Christmas spam but rates still rising McAfee?s latest threat report for the fourth quarter of 2009 saw a drop in spam over the period, although the year ended with overall amounts rising. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2257528/small-drop-christmas-spam-trend All that user-generated content? 95% is malware, spam The latest research from Websense Security Labs paints a dreary but familiar picture of the state of online security threats. Echoing the bad news of other such recent reports, it seems the vast majority of the Web consists of malware and spam. Worse yet, even legitimate, well-known sites are being used to pump malware, SEO poisoning, or phishing attacks. http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/02/all-that-use-all-that-user-generated-content-95-is-malware-spam-r-generated-content-95-of-is-malware-spam.ars McAfee Q4 Threats Report Finds Political Hacktivism and the Exploitation of Tragedies is on the Rise Worldwide [news release] McAfee Inc. today unveiled its Q4 Threats Report, which highlights the most significant spam-generating stories in 2009 as well as the rise of political hacktivism in countries like Poland, Latvia, Denmark and Switzerland. Report findings also reveal that 2009 averaged approximately 135.5 billion spam messages per day, yet spam volume decreased by 24 percent in Q4 compared to Q3. http://newsroom.mcafee.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=3621 ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** In the Crossfire - Critical Infrastructure in the Age of Cyber-war In most developed countries, critical infrastructure is connected to the Internet and can lack proper security functions, leaving these installations vulnerable to attacks. Without the appropriate protection combined with the current lack of preparedness, an attack on these infrastructures would be detrimental and will cause more destruction than any previous cyber attacks. In the crossfire ? Critical Infrastructure in the Age of Cyber-War analyses these trends and issues, and provides a global report on the threats and issues facing companies and governments providing critical infrastructure. http://newsroom.mcafee.com/ http://newsroom.mcafee.com/images/10039/CIP Executive Summary.pdf [Executive Summary] http://newsroom.mcafee.com/images/10039/In the Crossfire_CIP report.pdf [Report] As NASA shifts priorities, officials need to keep eye on cybersecurity Information security will continue to be a key challenge for NASA if it cancels human flight plans to pursue automated rocketry technologies and other robotic missions, according to computer security specialists. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100208_8925.php au: Woolies' Apple logo dispute drags on Supermarket chain Woolworths has asked for more time to respond to intellectual property administrator IP Australia over a trademark dispute lodged by Apple last year concerning its logo. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/Woolies-Apple-logo-dispute-drags-on/0,139023166,339300867,00.htm Simulated cyber-attack to test government response Security industry analysts and lawmakers will get an unprecedented chance next week to evaluate how the government might respond to a cyber-attack on critical infrastructure targets. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9155318/Simulated_cyber_attack_to_test_government_response Internet Stability and Security conference: 17 Feb, Washington DC The Internet is a global infrastructure that has become central to economic activity around the world. At this event, Kenneth Silva (Verisign) and Gregory Rattray (ICANN) will discuss the risks of attack, whether the Internet can be protected, and whether it can be cripled. http://csis.org/event/internet-stability-and-security Can insurers protect the U.S. from cyberattack? The newest soldier on the frontlines of America's cyber defenses could be an insurance salesman. To prepare American companies for the costly fallout of hacks, as recently experienced by Google's operations in China, a market for cyber insurance has been taking root and is extending coverage to keep companies and customers safe in cyberspace. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100210_8138.php ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** au: Blogger has a busy time in court A critic of the South Australian Government's short-lived internet comment crackdown has been fined for using offensive language at an Adelaide hospital last year. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/09/2814338.htm China plans online gambling crackdown China plans to crack down on the online gambling industry, including the banks and websites that support it, the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement posted on its website. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-46009820100209 in: Govt can't ban porn websites for obscenity In a little-noticed fallout of the recent amendment to the Information Technology (IT) Act 2000, the government has given up the power to block pornographic websites purely on the ground of obscenity. Sites like Savita Bhabi, in other words, can no longer be banished from the virtual world merely because they don't conform to a babu's subjective moral view. Now, the courts alone can block such sites. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-cant-ban-porn-websites-for-obscenity/articleshow/5558110.cms Iran to Suspend Google's Email Iran's telecommunications agency announced what it described as a permanent suspension of Google Inc.'s email services, saying a national email service for Iranian citizens would soon be rolled out. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704140104575057621649270154.html Iran suspending Google's Gmail, reports say Iran's government, looking to quell opposition, is shutting down Google's Gmail e-mail service within the country, reports said today. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9155238/Iran_suspending_Google_s_Gmail_reports_say http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/335877/iran_suspending_google_gmail_reports_say/ http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/iran-suspending-googles-gmail-reports-say ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Italian gov't backs down slightly over Web regulation bill [IDG] Observers and operators gave a cautious welcome Monday to proposed changes to a draft Italian broadcasting law that has been criticized as a menace to freedom of expression on the Internet. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/020810-italian-govt-backs-down-slightly.html Asia should mandate ISP intervention Mandatory regulations should be in place in Asia to stipulate how Internet service providers (ISPs) handle infected computers on their network, a Singapore-based analyst has urged. He added that he expects the Singapore government to introduce stringent measures in the near term. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62061069,00.htm ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* 21st Century Citizenship by Stephen Balkam In her January 21st speech on Internet Freedom, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke emphatically for the need to ensure that the freedoms of speech, assembly and religion be respected online. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-balkam/21st-century-citizenship_b_453316.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Stimulus funds for US high-speed Internet access tangled up The Obama administration knew that there'd be a lot of interest in the $7.2 billion for high-speed Internet projects it included in last year's huge economic stimulus package. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2010-02-09-broadband09_CV_N.htm Telstra at the mercy of telecommunications rule changes The government's plans to transform the telecommunications regulatory regime could leave a serious dent in Telstra's ability to generate free cash flow, according to Fitch Ratings. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/telstra-at-the-mercy-of-telecommunications-rule-changes/story-e6frg8zx-1225828949790 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** es: Dozens arrested in child porn swoop SPANISH police announced today they had arrested 26 people and charged a further 10 as part of a crackdown on child pornography on the internet. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/dozens-arrested-in-child-porn-swoop/story-e6frf7jx-1225828544027 au: Porn on Stannies brother computer: court [AAP] Child pornography has been found on a computer and a disc at the home of a former Catholic brother accused of molesting a teenager at Bathurst's St Stanislaus College, a magistrate has been told. http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/porn-on-stannies-brother-computer-court-20100211-ntsw.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2010 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery __________________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo!7: Catch-up on your favourite Channel 7 TV shows easily, legally, and for free at PLUS7. www.tv.yahoo.com.au/plus7Received on Thu Feb 11 2010 - 03:40:12 UTC
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