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 *************************************************** au: Without trust there is nothing by Chris Disspain http://blog.auda.org.au/2011/08/09/without-trust-there-is-nothing/ 2011 auDA Foundation funding announced http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-150811/ au: Small business scam warnings - ACCC http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/business-old/small-business-scams/story-e6frg2qu-1226115280081 $5 billion reasons you should know about new Top-Level Domains http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=838 Some IDNs fly, while some fail http://domainincite.com/some-idns-fly-while-some-fail/ Arabic top-level domain still unpopular http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110814043228/Arabic_toplevel_domain_still_unpopular_in_Jordan Legal Brief - August 2011: ICANN Supports the Current Version of the UDRP by Sheri Archidiacono, Esq. :: Sedo Legal Staff https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2892 Internet Society Celebrates Significant Milestone with 20-year Anniversary in 2012 [news release] http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=4280 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** au: Without trust there is nothing by Chris Disspain One of the major messages auDA strives to convey is that .au is a reliable, stable, trustworthy domain space. In fact, I?m pretty sure we have been banging on about the importance of trust ever since auDA was established and assumed responsibility for the operation of .au. http://blog.auda.org.au/2011/08/09/without-trust-there-is-nothing/ 2011 auDA Foundation funding announced The Board of Directors of the auDA Foundation are proud to announce the outcomes of the Foundation?s 2011 funding round. http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-150811/ au: Small business scam warnings - ACCC Busy small business owners are a "soft target" for scammers, with almost a million dollars reported in false invoices last year, industry bodies say. Fraudulent billing for advertising, directory listings, domain names and office supplies were just some of the small business scams most complained about to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2010. http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/business-old/small-business-scams/story-e6frg2qu-1226115280081 .nz Policy Reviews - ZTP and RMC As part of the ongoing review of .nz policies, two policies are now being reviewed. The policies being reviewed are: Zone Transfer Policy - Consultation & Registering, Managing and Canceling Domain Names Policy - Consultation http://dnc.org.nz/story/nz-policy-reviews-ztp-and-rmc RU/??:The CEO?s report for the first six months of 2011 has been published The 2011 corporate performance report by Andrey Kolesnikov, the CC?s CEO, for the period from 1 January through 30 June 2011, has been posted on the CC?s website. The report contains detailed information on all key events held by the CC in the first half of 2011, current statistics of domain names registration in domains .RU and .??, information about CC?s activity regarding improvement of the registration system in the Russian national domains, as well as the CC?s 2011 semiannual financial report. http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=1639 Nominet Reviews .UK Domain Expiry Policy, Surveys Customer Satisfaction Nominet have established an issue group to review domain name expiry policy while also launching two customer satisfaction surveys. The review will take into account issues relating to the expiry period, post expiry and the renewal of expired domain names more generally. http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/13/nominet-reviews-uk-domain-expiry-policy-surveys-customer-satisfaction/ uk: Issue group update - domain expiry policy The issue group on domain expiry policy has been set up. It brings together expertise and experience from within and outside the domain name industry. We have a list of participants who will form the core of this issue group, chaired by Gordon Moir, a lawyer and former Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Task Force on Telecoms and ICT. The group's first meeting will take place on 27 September 2011. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8578 uk: Customer Satisfaction surveys 2011 We are committed to providing all of our customers with the highest levels of service and your opinion is important to us. That's why we are launching two customer satisfaction surveys to measure the level of satisfaction with the support services that we offer. These surveys are being carried out on our behalf by an independent market research company called The Leadership Factor. The findings from both these surveys will be published once the research and analysis is completed. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8582 xxx: ICM Registry Getting Into Bed With Domainers? Is ICM Registry trying to win over domainers? According to an announcement earlier this afternoon ICM will be the overall Diamond Sponsor for T.R.A.F.F.I.C in October. http://www.internetnews.me/2011/08/07/icm-registry-getting-into-bed-with-domainers/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** $5 billion reasons you should know about new Top-Level Domains Adrian Kinderis, CEO of AusRegistry International, explains how entrepreneurs and brands can get a slice of the $5 billion domain name industry through the new TLD program. http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=838 http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=15550 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/13/5-billion-reasons-you-should-know-about-new-tlds/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/5-billion-reasons-you-should-know-about-new-tlds.html Some IDNs fly, while some fail Russia may have witnessed a domain name boom this year with the launch of .?? last November, but other internationalized domain names are proving far from popular. http://domainincite.com/some-idns-fly-while-some-fail/ Arabic top-level domain still unpopular Information Technology experts on Saturday attributed the low turnout in registering websites in Jordan's Arabic TLD ??????. (.alordon) to being "unnecessary" and weak promotion for the service. http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110814043228/Arabic_toplevel_domain_still_unpopular_in_Jordan New TLD Event To Be Held In Bulgaria With the countdown towards the opening of the application window on new TLDs next January draws closer the number of new TLD related events is growing. http://www.internetnews.me/2011/08/10/new-tld-event-to-be-held-in-bulgaria/ RIGHT OF THE DOT And Architelos Join Forces To Offer Comprehensive Marketing, Valuation And Management Services For New TLD Applications [news release] RIGHT OF THE DOT, a domain name strategy consulting group for new gTLD applicants and existing TLDs, announced today that it has entered into a cooperative arrangement with Architelos, a consulting and managed services company serving the same market. Under the arrangement, Architelos will refer gTLD applicants seeking premium domain name consulting services to RIGHT OF THE DOT, and RIGHT OF THE DOT will refer to Architelos clients looking for new TLD feasibility, financial modeling and TLD application services, as well as a managed solution for running the front office functions of a TLD registry. http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/12/right-of-the-dot-architelos/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/right-of-the-dot-and-architelos-join-forces-to-offer-comprehensive-marketing-valuation-and-management-services-for-new-tld-applications.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Defense in Depth for DNSSEC Applications by Paul Vixie At the time of this writing DNSSEC mostly does not work. This is not a bad thing - in fact it's expected... There is a significant last-mover advantage DNSSEC deployment (or IPv6 deployment) and that can't be helped. It's all in a good cause though - everybody knows we need this stuff and some farsighted contributors put a lot of money and other resources into DNSSEC years or decades ago to ensure that when the time comes the world will have a migration path. Sadly, this leaves current investors and application designers and developers wondering whether there's a market yet. http://www.circleid.com/posts/defense_in_depth_for_dnssec_applications/ Pentagon Can Not Win a Cyberwar Claims Author The United States has remained the world?s only global superpower since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but as the threat transitions away from being exclusively what the military likes to call ?kinetic? war to include cyberwarfare, its ability to transfer its superiority into the new battlespace is being called into doubt. http://blogs.wsj.com/tech-europe/2011/08/11/pentagon-can-not-win-a-cyberwar-claims-author/ 'Operation Shady RAT' Attackers Employed Steganography The attackers behind the "Operation Shady RAT" targeted cyberespionage hacks hid some of their activities behind digital images. http://www.darkreading.com/security/attacks-breaches/231400084/operation-shady-rat-attackers-employed-steganography.html Russia and China accused of cyber-spying campaign to steal U.S. secrets The military and intelligence services of Russia and China are conducting a sustained campaign to steal American commercial and military secrets through cyber espionage, according to the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and he warned that sophisticated computer hacking poses a major danger to U.S. interests. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cyber-china-20110813,0,7549165.story US agency releases cyber-education plan [IDG] The U.S. government will work to develop an "unrivaled" cybersecurity workforce and broaden the nation's pool of skilled cyberworkers under a draft cybersecurity education plan released Friday by a U.S. agency. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/397132/us_agency_releases_cyber-education_plan/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/081211-us-agency-releases-cyber-education.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/237994/us_agency_releases_cybereducation_plan.html The new Kaminsky bug by Milton Mueller Dan Kaminsky seems to have rocked the cyber-world with a presentation at Black Hat in Las Vegas. The security expert received a massive amount of publicity for "releasing" - er, talking about - a free software tool he is calling N00ter. N00ter is supposed to be incredibly exciting because it can detect when an Internet service provider (ISP) is slowing down or speeding up traffic to and from a website. We found it really hard to get excited about this. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2011/8/7/4874558.html China Hit by 480,000 Trojan Horse Attacks in 2010 [IDG] China said it saw close to 480,000 Trojan horse attacks in 2010, with almost half originating from outside the country, according to a government security agency. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/237662/china_hit_by_480000_trojan_horse_attacks_in_2010.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Legal Brief - August 2011: ICANN Supports the Current Version of the UDRP by Sheri Archidiacono, Esq. :: Sedo Legal Staff In the past, domain name registrants and trademark owners have been known to be at odds when it comes to their respective rights to a given domain name. However, this long-standing fight may soon be over. On July 22, 2011, the comment period ended regarding whether the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (?UDRP?) should be updated and amended. https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2892 ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** RIPE NCC IPv4 Address Space Chart - Now Updated The RIPE NCC's IPv4 address space chart has been updated. This chart shows the amount of available IPv4 addresses in the RIPE NCC's pool and is updated weekly. http://www.ripe.net/internet-coordination/news/about-ripe-ncc-and-ripe/ipv4-chart-updated ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Tucows Inc. Reports Financial Results for Second Quarter of 2011 Tucows Inc. reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011. All figures are in U.S. dollars. http://tucowsinc.com/news/2011/08/tucows-inc-reports-financial-results-for-second-quarter-of-2011/ .COM.DE Domains On The Way The Sunrise period ended on 22 July and the Landrush period is currently underway, ending on 26 August, for .COM.DE domain names. http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/12/comde-domains-on-the-way/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/comde-domains-on-the-way.html Internet Society Celebrates Significant Milestone with 20-year Anniversary in 2012 [news release] The Internet Society is proud to announce that the organization will celebrate its 20-year anniversary in 2012. To recognize this momentous milestone, the organization will launch a comprehensive set of exciting initiatives to reflect on the accomplishments of the Internet Society?s first two decades, as well as focus attention on the evolution of the Internet over the past 20 years and the opportunities and challenges that will have a profound impact on its future. http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=4280 ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Pair of $200,000+ Sales Set the Pace in the Domain Aftermarket This Week Sedo broker Dave Evanson closed a six-figure sale for the second week in a row to give the popular domain sales venue he represents the #1 position on this week's all extension Top 20 Sales Chart. Last week Evanson got credit for the $120,000 sale of OnlineDegree.com which placed 2nd on the Top 20. He one-upped himself this week, giving Sedo the top spot, with the $275,000 sale of Grid.com. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2011/20110810.htm DOMAINfest Global 2012: in Santa Monica Dates and Venue Announced Hands up who wants to go to DOMAINfest Global 2012 in Santa Monica? OK, if you are one of those with your hands up, or even hovering, the annual DOMAINfest Global event will be held from 31 January to 2 February, 2012 once again at the luxurious Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, California. http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/11/domainfest-global-2012/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/domainfest-global-2012-santa-monica-dates-and-venue-announced.html DONE! Ventures Reaches Settlement with NBC and Sedo Over Women.com DONE! Ventures has reached a tentative settlement in a lawsuit it brought against NBC Universal and Sedo. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/08/10/done-ventures-reaches-settlement-with-nbc-and-sedo-over-women-com/ Sell more domains more quickly with SedoMLS Premium: Activate SedoMLS Premium now to sell your names three times faster Our exciting marketplace updates earlier this month mean a renewed focus on helping you promote your domains and make more sales! Every domain you list with Sedo is now promoted through the SedoMLS Promotion Network, meaning that your domains are visible across our partners? sites via millions of search queries. However, to fully optimize your domain name listings, you should activate SedoMLS Premium. https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2891 Analysis shows: Park via DNS for Best Results: Why you should switch from URL forwarding to DNS forwarding to park your domains Sedo recently completed an analysis of the different methods used by our domain parking clients to forward traffic to our servers. The result is that most clients already park their domains using DNS forwarding, the preferred and recommended method. https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2895 Domain Industry Champion Jeremiah Johnston Leaves COO Role at Sedo to Open His Own Legal Practice - Will Continue as Their General Counsel While I was away on a trip to the Silicon Valley this past week, Sedo announced that Jeremiah Johnston has stepped down as the company's Chief Operating Officer. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2011/dailyposts/20110812.htm ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Freedom of Expression on the Internet: Study of Legal Provisions and Practices Related to Freedom of Expression, the Free Flow of Information and Media Pluralism on the Internet in OSCE Participating States by Yaman Akdeniz [Report of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Faculty of Law, Istanbul Bilgi University] Abstract: Based on the limited effectiveness of state laws and lack of harmonization at international level (despite some efforts at regional level) a number of states, including some in the OSCE region, introduced policies to block access to Internet content, websites deemed illegal, and Web 2.0 based social media platforms which are outside their jurisdiction. In short, the new trend in Internet regulation seems to entail blocking access to content if state authorities are not in a position to reach the perpetrators for prosecution or if their request for removal or take down of such content is rejected or ignored by foreign law enforcement authorities or hosting and content providers. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1906717 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** The Foreign Language Internet: Spotting the Big Growth Markets Reaching the much coveted Number 1 spot of English searches is a mission sometimes beyond the reach of even the most experienced SEO. With billions of English pages vying for consumer attention and more and more businesses jumping on the e-commerce bandwagon, the competition for presence on the English web feels like an uphill struggle. http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2011/08/09/foreign-language-growth-markets The web turns twenty - Difference Engine: Happy anniversary? It is always a little disconcerting to realise a generation has grown up never knowing what it was like to manage without something that is taken for granted today. A case in point: the World Wide Web (WWW), which celebrated the 20th anniversary of its introduction last Saturday. It is no exaggeration to say that not since the invention of the printing press has a new media technology altered the way people think, work and play quite so extensively. With the web having been so thoroughly embraced socially, politically and economically, the world has become an entirely different place from what it was just two decades ago. Whether the web has made it a better place or a worse one is for readers to decide. http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/08/web-turns-twenty Our addiction to technology trumps caffeine, chocolate and alcohol This probably sounds familiar: You're out to dinner with friends, and everything's fun, until you get that itch. It's been 20 minutes, and you really want to check Facebook, or Twitter, or Foursquare or email. Forget about wanting; this is needing. You finally give in to the urge and sneakily check your phone under the table -- or fake an urgent visit to the bathroom, where you'll take a hit of the Internet while huddling in a stall. Anecdotally, our Internet use seems to have spawned real addictions. And according to several recently released surveys, we've got it bad. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/08/technology-addiction-chocolate-caffeine.html NBN key to Labor's new federal plan for the arts The future of the arts looks wired and inspired under Labor, with an arts discussion paper identifying the National Broadband Network and creative industries as key planks of a federal cultural policy. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/nbn-key-to-labors-new-federal-plan-for-the-arts/story-fn59niix-1226113384106 ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** How computers will soon get under our skin It may soon be possible to wear your computer or mobile phone under your sleeve, with the invention of an ultra-thin and flexible electronic circuit that can be stuck to the skin like a temporary tattoo. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/how-computers-will-soon-get-under-our-skin-2336246.html Stick-On Electronic Tattoos A flexible electronic device stuck on the skin could provide irritation-free monitoring of heart, brain, and muscle activity. http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/38296/ Electronic tattoo 'could revolutionise patient monitoring' An "electronic tattoo" could herald a revolution in the way patients are monitored and provide a breakthrough in computer gaming, say US scientists. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14489208 UN invites budding creators to enter competition on technology innovation [news release] The United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU) today invited young innovators in digital and other fields to enter a global competition in which 60 winners will be invited to Geneva in October to pitch their novel ideas at a leading forum. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39281 Tablets, other devices to overshadow PCs by 2013 The PC, simply put, is having a tough year. For the first time, Internet-enabled devices, like Apple's iPad and even TVs and video game consoles, are set to surpass PC shipments in 2013, according to IHS iSuppli, a market research firm. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219151/Tablets_other_devices_to_overshadow_PCs_by_2013 ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* au: Schools use the net to eavesdrop on students SCHOOLS are using internet monitoring companies to read what students are saying on social networking sites. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/schools-use-the-net-to-eavesdrop-on-students-20110812-1iqx2.html au: Schools employ company to monitor online behaviour Independent schools are using private companies to monitor what their students say and do online, on sites such as Facebook. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-13/company-paid-by-schools-to-monitor-cyber-bullying/2837810 au: Students helping trial fun cybersmart resource [news release] The Australian Communications and Media Authority is working with students from Years 6 and 7 at schools across NSW to trial an exciting new cybersafety activity for schools ? Cybersmart Networking. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_410115 au: Sexting punishment is unjust says magistrate A SENIOR Victorian magistrate who presided over a case in which a youth pleaded guilty to teenage sexting offences has condemned as ''so unjust'' the mandatory laws that meant the young man was registered as a sex offender. http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sexting-punishment-is-unjust-says-magistrate-20110813-1isa0.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Industry must cooperate to combat illegal downloads: iiNet Internet service provider (ISP) iiNet has called for a whole-of-industry discussion to make content more available online, following the High Court?s decision today to grant special leave to appeal by a film and television industry conglomerate, who are suing the ISP for copyright infringement by its customers. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/397076/industry_must_cooperate_combat_illegal_downloads_iinet/ AFACT wins iiNet High Court hearing The High Court of Australia has granted the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) special leave to appeal the Federal Court ruling of its long-running piracy case against iiNet. http://www.zdnet.com.au/afact-wins-iinet-high-court-hearing-339320303.htm ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Samsung Appeals German Ban on Galaxy Tablet Sales Samsung Electronics Co. will go to court on August 25 to appeal an earlier decision banning the South Korean technology giant from selling its Galaxy tablet computer in most of the European Union, in what has become a global battle amongst technology companies for intellectual property rights. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903918104576503703550686190.html ANALYSIS - Apple going after Google in tablet spats? Apple Inc's increasingly effective patent war against rivals like Samsung Electronics may mask its real target: arch-foe Google Inc. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/12/idINIndia-58752420110812 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/11/oukin-uk-apple-idUKTRE77A6J120110811 Mobile sales up 16.5 percent, Android surges ahead Worldwide sales of mobile devices have surged to 428.7 million units in the second quarter of this year, registering a 16.5 percent year-on-year growth from the same quarter last year, according to new stats from Gartner. Nokia, Samsung and LG take top spots, as do Android, Symbian and iOS. http://www.zdnetasia.com/mobile-sales-up-16-5-percent-android-surges-ahead-62301617.htm Gartner Says Sales of Mobile Devices in Second Quarter of 2011 Grew 16.5 Percent Year-on-Year; Smartphone Sales Grew 74 Percent - ZTE Became Fifth-Largest Mobile Phone Manufacturer and RIM Dropped to No. 6 [news release] Worldwide sales of mobile devices to end users totaled 428.7 million units in the second quarter of 2011, a 16.5 percent increase from the second quarter of 2010, according to Gartner, Inc. http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1764714 ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Apple and major publishers face lawsuit over ebook 'price fixing' A class-action lawsuit has been filed in the US alleging that Apple and five major publishers "colluded ... to illegally fix prices" of ebooks. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/aug/11/apple-ebook-price-fixing-penguin-macmillan NZers lose $750k to online scams A New Zealand internet safety group has found older women looking for love are more prone to being scammed over the internet. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/5435338/NZers-lose-750k-to-online-scams http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/5435338/750k-lost-to-online-scams-tip-of-iceberg http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/business/5435338/NZers-lose-750k-to-online-scams http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/national-news/5435338/NZers-lose-750k-to-online-scams http://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-newspapers/west-coast/news-6662/5435338/NZers-lose-750k-to-online-scams http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/national-news/5435338/NZers-lose-750k-to-online-scams Kiwis admit to losing over $750,000 The amount of money lost by kiwis to online scammers in the last year is in excess of $750,000 ? and that?s just what people are admitting to. http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/kiwis-admit-to-losing-over-750000/20828/ Kiwis lost $750K to online scams in past year: Netsafe New Zealanders lost more than $750,000 over the past year from "online incidents" according to reports to NetSafe's Orb website." http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/kiwis-lost-750k-to-online-scams-in-past-year-netsafe http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=51DA0CAC-1A64-6A71-CE598052E519CB46 Online romance quests prove costly Romance scams, email hacking and dodgy computer doctors have seen 132 Bay of Plenty residents lodge complaints with an online reporting scheme which nationally tracked financial losses of more than three-quarters of a million dollars in its first year. http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/online-romance-quests-prove-costly/1067985/ ********************** SECURITY ********************** Pentagon Can Not Win a Cyberwar Claims Author The United States has remained the world?s only global superpower since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but as the threat transitions away from being exclusively what the military likes to call ?kinetic? war to include cyberwarfare, its ability to transfer its superiority into the new battlespace is being called into doubt. http://blogs.wsj.com/tech-europe/2011/08/11/pentagon-can-not-win-a-cyberwar-claims-author/ 'Operation Shady RAT' Attackers Employed Steganography The attackers behind the "Operation Shady RAT" targeted cyberespionage hacks hid some of their activities behind digital images. http://www.darkreading.com/security/attacks-breaches/231400084/operation-shady-rat-attackers-employed-steganography.html Russia and China accused of cyber-spying campaign to steal U.S. secrets The military and intelligence services of Russia and China are conducting a sustained campaign to steal American commercial and military secrets through cyber espionage, according to the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and he warned that sophisticated computer hacking poses a major danger to U.S. interests. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cyber-china-20110813,0,7549165.story US agency releases cyber-education plan [IDG] The U.S. government will work to develop an "unrivaled" cybersecurity workforce and broaden the nation's pool of skilled cyberworkers under a draft cybersecurity education plan released Friday by a U.S. agency. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/397132/us_agency_releases_cyber-education_plan/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/081211-us-agency-releases-cyber-education.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/237994/us_agency_releases_cybereducation_plan.html The new Kaminsky bug by Milton Mueller Dan Kaminsky seems to have rocked the cyber-world with a presentation at Black Hat in Las Vegas. The security expert received a massive amount of publicity for "releasing" - er, talking about - a free software tool he is calling N00ter. N00ter is supposed to be incredibly exciting because it can detect when an Internet service provider (ISP) is slowing down or speeding up traffic to and from a website. We found it really hard to get excited about this. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2011/8/7/4874558.html China Hit by 480,000 Trojan Horse Attacks in 2010 [IDG] China said it saw close to 480,000 Trojan horse attacks in 2010, with almost half originating from outside the country, according to a government security agency. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/237662/china_hit_by_480000_trojan_horse_attacks_in_2010.html ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Industry Tries to Streamline Privacy Policies for Mobile Users For many Internet users, online privacy policies are long and difficult to read. Transfer those same policies to a mobile device, where users can find themselves clicking through multiple screens often with tiny type, and the policies can become almost useless to the average consumer. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/15/business/media/industry-tinkers-to-create-privacy-tools-for-mobile-devices.html nz: Law Commission against data mining regulation The Law Commission, while making proposals for amendment of the law on ?information matching? and ?information sharing? among public-sector agencies, recommends no measures to regulate data mining. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/law-commission-against-data-mining-regulation ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Repressing the Internet, Western-Style: As politicians call for more online controls after London and Norway, authoritarian states are watching by Evgeny Morozov Did the youthful rioters who roamed the streets of London, Manchester and other British cities expect to see their photos scrutinized by angry Internet users, keen to identify the miscreants? In the immediate aftermath of the riots, many cyber-vigilantes turned to Facebook, Flickr and other social networking sites to study pictures of the violence. Some computer-savvy members even volunteered to automate the process by using software to compare rioters' faces with faces pictured elsewhere on the Internet. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903918104576502214236127064.html Cameron's law: PM planning crackdown on rioters Ministers and the security services are planning draconian powers to shut down or disrupt mobile phone messaging services and social networks in times of civil disorder. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/camerons-law-pm-planning-crackdown-on-rioters-2336308.html England riots: Government mulls social media controls The government is exploring whether to turn off social networks or stop people texting during times of social unrest. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14493497 British Prime Minister Does a 180 on Internet Censorship After several days of destructive riots throughout the UK, British Prime Minister David Cameron is practically tripping over himself in his eagerness to sacrifice liberty for security. In a speech before an emergency session of Parliament today, Cameron highlighted concern over rioters? use of social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/08/british-prime-minister-does-180-internet Concern that social networks to be targeted as BlackBerry helps British police identify rioters Reporters Without Borders is worried about cooperation between Research in Motion (RIM), the Canadian manufacturer of the popular BlackBerry smartphone, and the British authorities in the wake of this week?s rioting in London and other cities in which, according to the authorities, rioters used its messaging service, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), to communicate with each other. http://en.rsf.org/united-kingdom-concern-that-social-networks-to-be-12-08-2011,40776.html Don?t shoot the instant messenger: David Cameron?s social media shutdown plan won?t stop UK riots There?s a colourful and evocative term among regular users of social media: ?headdesking?. It?s what you do when somebody says or does something so stupid that your instant reaction is to smack your head on the surface of your desk, repeatedly. http://theconversation.edu.au/dont-shoot-the-instant-messenger-david-camerons-social-media-shutdown-plan-wont-stop-uk-riots-2854 Rioting leads to Cameron call for social media clampdown Facebook has responded to David Cameron's calls for a clampdown on social networking sites by saying it has already actively removed several "credible threats of violence" related to the riots across England. ... Mike Conradi, partner and telecoms specialist at the London law firm DLA Piper, said that emergency measures to stop rioters communicating on social media sites would require legislation and threaten free speech. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/11/cameron-call-social-media-clampdown Cameron Exploring Crackdown on Social Media After Riots Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain said Thursday that the government, seeking to prevent a repeat of riots and looting in London and other British cities this week, might bar suspected troublemakers from using social media and other digital communications tools. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/12/world/europe/12iht-social12.html digits: London Weighs Social Media Crackdown As social media's role in the London riots is explored, British politicians are considering whether temporarily banning or censoring sites like Twitter and Facebook would quell or enflame the tensions, Cassell Bryan-Low reports from London. http://online.wsj.com/video/digits-london-weighs-social-media-crackdown/DCB59C7C-DE9C-48F8-A9E6-34168ABB7C62.html Chinese media dare to flex their muscles Since the beginning of the month, Chinese journalists have had a strong reminder that they live and work in a country without a free press. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/61329c1a-c400-11e0-b302-00144feabdc0.html California railway, BART, blocked phones to quash protest A rail transit provider in the United States disabled mobile phone services to prevent a planned protest on Thursday, attracting criticism and unflattering comparisons to crackdowns on dissent in the Middle East ... In a statement released on Friday, BART said organisers planned another protest over the Charles Hill shooting during busy commute times on Thursday, which "could lead to platform overcrowding and unsafe conditions". http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/08/201181221139693608.html Bay Area Officials Cut Cell Coverage to Thwart Protestors To nip protest in the bud, authorities cut off a public communications system. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/12/bay-area-authorities-cut-cell-coverage-to-thwart-protestors/ BART Pulls a Mubarak in San Francisco This week, EFF has seen censorship stories move closer and closer to home ? first Iran, then the UK, and now San Francisco, an early locus of the modern free speech movement. Operators of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART) shut down cell phone service to four stations in downtown San Francisco yesterday in response to a planned protest. Last month, protesters disrupted BART service in response to the fatal shooting of Charles Blair Hill by BART police on July 3rd. Thursday?s protest failed to materialize, possibly because the disruption of cell phone service made organization and coordination difficult. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/08/bart-pulls-mubarak-san-francisco SF Bay Area transit police cut mobile service to thwart protest [IDG] The agency that runs the commuter trains that rumble beneath San Francisco each day hit the panic button Thursday night, cutting off mobile-phone service to hundreds of thousands of commuters in an effort to thwart a protest that was expected to snarl up the evening commute. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219158/SF_Bay_Area_transit_police_cut_mobile_service_to_thwart_protest http://www.pcworld.com/article/238018/bay_area_transit_police_cut_mobile_service_to_thwart_protest.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** FTC Sharpens Google Probe U.S. antitrust regulators are focusing their investigation of Google Inc. on key areas of its business, including its Android mobile-phone software and Web-search related services, people familiar with the probe say. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904823804576500544082214566.html nz: Confusion rife as internet piracy crackdown looms With less than three weeks to go before a controversial "three strikes" regime designed to combat internet piracy comes into effect, confusion is rife over what types of copyright infringements consumers could be pinged for. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/5442501/Confusion-over-copyright http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5444062/Confusion-rife-as-internet-piracy-crackdown-looms New Zealand 3 Strikes Begins But Pirate Sabotage Is In The Air Today marks the start of P2P network monitoring for New Zealand?s ?3 strikes? anti-filesharing legislation. As the government is criticized for not launching their official information resource until next week, a Reddit user claims to be using a government network to share Miley Cyrus movies. As an ISP account holder itself, will the government get hit with the 3 strikes ban-hammer? http://torrentfreak.com/new-zealand-3-strikes-begins-but-pirate-sabotage-is-in-the-air-110811/ NZ Government Faces Disconnection As a Result of Three Strikes Law With New Zealand three strikes law in place, some might wonder who could be one of the first victims might be. It turns out that it could be none other than the New Zealand government itself. Facing liabilities of copyright infringement, the Green Party of New Zealand says that this could ultimately force the New Zealand government to disconnect itself from the internet. http://www.zeropaid.com/news/95069/nz-government-faces-disconnection-as-a-result-of-three-strikes-law/ Users try to snare NZ Govt with own three strikes law An anonymous activist claimed to be downloading copyright material through a 'Government ISP' less than an hour after an anti filesharing law came into effect in New Zealand. http://www.crn.com.au/News/266636,users-try-to-snare-nz-govt-with-own-three-strikes-law.aspx nz: Copyright law could sting businesses It may be three weeks until the new Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill comes into force, but now is the time for businesses to start protecting themselves. http://www.techday.co.nz/itbrief/news/copyright-law-could-sting-businesses/20829/7/ Copyright law 'will not and cannot work' The CEO of a major ISP has added his two cents to the debate surrounding the new copyright law, saying rights holders should be looking at new delivery models rather than scrambling to protect the old ones. http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/copyright-law-will-not-and-cannot-work/20840/ ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Internet Society Celebrates Significant Milestone with 20-year Anniversary in 2012 [news release] The Internet Society is proud to announce that the organization will celebrate its 20-year anniversary in 2012. To recognize this momentous milestone, the organization will launch a comprehensive set of exciting initiatives to reflect on the accomplishments of the Internet Society?s first two decades, as well as focus attention on the evolution of the Internet over the past 20 years and the opportunities and challenges that will have a profound impact on its future. http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=4280 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 ------ David Goldstein email: david§goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim FlanneryReceived on Mon Aug 15 2011 - 00:36:16 UTC
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