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 *************************************************** ICANN Leader Stresses Benefits of new gTLD Program to Arabic speakers and Middle East http://www.icann.org/en/news/releases/release-10oct11-en.pdf auDA fields 146 complaints about Aussie domain industry http://www.itnews.com.au/News/276539,auda-fields-146-complaints-about-aussie-domain-industry.aspx Good news for trade mark owners: strict ?.au? domain name rules remain largely unchanged http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/edition/13_october_2011/20111013/good_news_for_trade_mark_owners_strict_-au_domain_name_rules_remain_largely_unchanged.page Verisign wants power to shut sites down upon law enforcement request http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/10/verisign-wants-power-to-scan-sites-for-malware-and-shut-them-down.ars VeriSign?s .com takedown power grab causing controversy http://domainincite.com/verisigns-com-takedown-power-grab-causing-controversy/ Registrars not happy with VeriSign abuse plans http://domainincite.com/registrars-not-happy-with-verisign-abuse-plans/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN Leader Stresses Benefits of new gTLD Program to Arabic speakers and Middle East ICANN's New gTLD Program offers significant opportunities for Middle Eastern organizations to expand their online presence, according to Rod Beckstrom, CEO and President of ICANN. http://www.icann.org/en/news/releases/release-10oct11-en.pdf Framework of Interpretation Working Group ? Interim Report The Framework of Interpretation Working Group (FOIWG) is seeking public comment on Interim Report on the first topic it has addressed: obtaining and documenting consent for delegation and re-delegation requests. http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-12oct11-en.htm Test Drive for the ?Reply Cycle? Concept for Public Comments Process The Initial Comment Period for "Phase II of Public Comments Process Enhancements" ended on 30 September 2011. On the same day, as an initial test of the "Reply Cycle" concept introduced within this solicitation, the comment forum on this topic was extended for an additional 15 days, until 15 October 2011. http://blog.icann.org/2011/10/test-drive-for-the-reply-cycle-concept-for-public-comments-process/ ICANN hunts for anti-cybersquatting database provider ICANN is in the process of looking for an operator for the Trademark Clearinghouse that will play a crucial brand protection role in new TLDs. http://domainincite.com/icann-hunts-for-anti-cybersquatting-database-provider/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** ae: TRA sign an exchange of letter with ICANN during Gitex The TRA is pleased to announce that it has formalised its relationship with ICANN through the signing of an exchange of letters. http://tra.gov.ae/news_TRA__sign_an_exchange_of_letter_with_ICANN_during_Gitex_-341-1.php auDA fields 146 complaints about Aussie domain industry Australia's domain regulator auDA has revealed it received 146 complaints about resellers, registrars and other domain industry participants in the past financial year. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/276539,auda-fields-146-complaints-about-aussie-domain-industry.aspx Good news for trade mark owners: strict ?.au? domain name rules remain largely unchanged In good news for trade mark owners, after being recently reviewed, the strict rules governing the ?.au? domain name space are largely to remain unchanged. Nevertheless, brand owners should remain ever vigilant for domain names which have been registered with a view to free-riding on or tarnishing their brands in the online world. http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/edition/13_october_2011/20111013/good_news_for_trade_mark_owners_strict_-au_domain_name_rules_remain_largely_unchanged.page Verisign wants power to shut sites down upon law enforcement request In a request made yesterday to ICANN, Verisign outlined a new ?anti-abuse? policy that would allow the company to terminate, lock, or transfer any domain under its registration jurisdiction under a number of circumstances. And one of those circumstances listed was ?requests of law enforcement.? http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/10/verisign-wants-power-to-scan-sites-for-malware-and-shut-them-down.ars VeriSign?s .com takedown power grab causing controversy VeriSign?s request for a wide-ranging set of powers that would enable it to shut down .com and .net domain names that are suspected of abuse is already attracting criticism. http://domainincite.com/verisigns-com-takedown-power-grab-causing-controversy/ Registrars not happy with VeriSign abuse plans VeriSign has been talking quietly to domain name registrars about its newly revealed anti-abuse policies for several months, but some are still not happy about its plans for .com malware scans. http://domainincite.com/registrars-not-happy-with-verisign-abuse-plans/ VeriSign demands website takedown powers VeriSign, which manages the database of all .com internet addresses, wants powers to shut down "non-legitimate" domain names when asked to by law enforcement. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/11/verisign_asks_for_web_takedown_powers/ VeriSign Proposes Takedown Procedures and Malware Scanning for .Com VeriSign is asking ICANN to approve a new Verisign Anti-Abuse Domain Use Policy. The policy would allow VeriSign to run malware scanning of .com, .net, and .name domain names, as well as create a suspension system for domain names that knowingly host malware. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/11/verisign-proposes-takedown-procedures-and-malware-scanning-for-com/ Verisign Asks ICANN For Take-Down Powers To Deal With Malware Verisign has made a request to ICANN to have the ability to suspend .COM, .NET and .NAME domain names involved in illegal activities such as hosting malware to protect the integrity, security and stability of the DNS. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16068 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/12/verisign-asks-icann-for-take-down-powers-to-deal-with-malware/ IFFOR hires former ICANN Manager of Public Participation to head up outreach efforts The International Foundation for Online Responsibility (IFFOR) has hired former ICANN General Manager of Public Participation Kieren McCarthy to head up the organization?s public outreach efforts. http://www.iffor.org/news/mccarthy.html xxx: IFFOR hires McCarthy to handle .xxx outreach Kieren McCarthy, CEO of the .nxt new TLDs conference, has reportedly joined the International Foundation For Online Responsibility to manage policy communications. http://domainincite.com/iffor-hires-mccarthy-to-handle-xxx-outreach/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** New domains could benefit Arabic ICANN?s New gTLD Program offers significant opportunities for Middle Eastern organisations to expand their online presence, according to Rod Beckstrom, CEO and President of ICANN. http://www.itp.net/586560-new-domains-could-benefit-arabic New Top-Level Domain Names Will Make The Customer-Brand Connection Even Stronger While it was once merely difficult to communicate the attributes of a brand, our media-saturated world today makes it far more challenging. There are so many forms of media available to each consumer; so many channels through which information is relayed that traditionally short attention spans have shrunk to minuscule lengths. http://www.businessinsider.com/top-level-domain-brand-2011-10 Corsica seeks new gTLD registry operator The local government of the French island of Corsica is looking for contractors to apply for and manage a .corsica TLD. http://domainincite.com/corsica-seeks-new-gtld-registry-operator/ Would you trust a dot-bank site more than a dot-com? ... That's the hope of a new project from a financial services trade group in the US, which plans to apply to domain name overseer ICANN early next year for a ".bank" TLD. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/10/would_you_trust_a_dot_bank/ Facebook and Apps vs. Domains by Jennie-Marie Larsen This debate never got heated during the NewDomains.org conference in Munich last month. One might speculate that it was largely because most in the audience and on the panel, support and believe in the existence of both. There is no need to make a direct either/or comparison. What sets Facebook and Apps apart from existing popular TLDs is the concept of a closed environment in which users can interact with the technology and each other in a dedicated space. http://www.circleid.com/posts/facebook_apps_vs_domains/ Left of the Dot Launches First GeoDomain to Use Their Innovative Domain Monetization Platform & Darren Cleveland's CityAdvertising.com Makes Inc. 500 We first told you about Left of the Dot Media back in June 2010, right after the company had stepped into the spotlight for the first time with a presentation made during the Test Track session at at the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Vancouver conference. Left of the Dot allows multiple businesses to lease sub-domains off a premium domain name like, for example, Importers.com, a major success for them that we told you about in August. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2011/dailyposts/20111011.htm ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** US power plants vulnerable to cyberattack Hundreds of thousands of people in darkness, hospitals in chaos, a banking system under siege ? a cyberattack on the US electricity grid could have catastrophic consequences. ... Now, four years since that first warning, experts say that power plants ? along with financial institutions, transportation systems and other infrastructure ? have become even more vulnerable. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/00148d60-c795-11e0-a03f-00144feabdc0.html Agreement on cybersecurity ?badly needed? The US and China often engage with each other on thorny topics such as the treatment of internal dissidents, North Korea and the rate of the renminbi to the dollar. But the distrust surrounding cyberwarfare remains so great that the two rival world powers communicate principally via proxies. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e595e568-f4dc-11e0-ba2d-00144feab49a.html Cyber attack tests for Olympic Games computer systems Simulated cyber attacks will be carried out on the computer systems running London's 2012 Olympic Games. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15244808 ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Google loses Goggle.com cybersquatting complaint Google has managed to lose a cybersquatting complaint over the domain name goggle.com, after a National Arbitration Forum panel declined to consider the case. http://domainincite.com/google-loses-goggle-com-cybersquatting-complaint/ After Losing UDRP, Save The Children Federation Sues to Get Domain Name Save the Children Federation is suing the owner of MySaveTheChildren.org after failing to win the same domain name in a UDRP proceeding. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/10/save-the-children-domain/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Visibility of Prefix Lengths in IPv4 and IPv6 by Daniel Karrenberg Internet routes are specified for an address prefix. The shorter the prefix, the more general the route. A shorter prefix covers more address space and thus a bigger part of the Internet. Very long prefixes cover few addresses and are used for local routing close to the destination address. In general, it is not necessary to distribute very long prefixes to the whole Internet, because a more general, shorter prefix is sufficient to direct packets in the direction of the destination. http://www.circleid.com/posts/visibility_of_prefix_lengths_in_ipv4_and_ipv6/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Black Hawk Down writer pens domain name book Worm ? The First Digital World War, a new book from Black Hawk Down author Mark Bowden, has a surprising cast of characters culled partially from the domain name industry. http://domainincite.com/black-hawk-down-writer-pens-domain-name-book/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Domains On Fire Finds Available Domains with Google Rankings ... Domains On Fire says it helps you find domain names ranked in Google that are either freely available or are dropping soon. It also helps you find high page rank domains, too (if anyone still pays attention to that). http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/10/domains-on-fire-finds-available-domains-with-google-rankings/ ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** The Role of Internet Intermediaries in Advancing Public Policy Objectives [free pdf version] This book presents a comprehensive view of Internet intermediaries, their economic and social function, development and prospects, benefits and costs, and roles and responsibilities. Divided into three parts, Part I, The Economic and Social Role of Internet Intermediaries, develops a common definition and understanding of what Internet intermediaries are, of their economic function and economic models, of recent market developments, and discusses the economic and social uses that these actors satisfy. Part II, The Role of Internet Intermediaries in Advancing Public Policy Objectives, examines the roles and responsibilities of Internet intermediaries in advancing public policy objectives, as well as the costs and benefits of their involvement through a series of case studies. Part III provides a summary of an experts workshop that identified lessons learned and best practices from the experience to date of Internet intermediaries in advancing public policy objectives. http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?sf1=identifiers&st1=932011031P1&LANG=EN ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Government Aims to Build a ?Data Eye in the Sky? More than 60 years ago, in his ?Foundation? series, the science fiction novelist Isaac Asimov invented a new science ? psychohistory ? that combined mathematics and psychology to predict the future. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/science/11predict.html F.C.C. Expanding Efforts to Connect More Americans to Broadband As part of a broad effort to encourage more Americans to use high-speed Internet and be able to compete in the global economy, the Federal Communications Commission has brought together a group of private companies that will offer free computer training to people in disadvantaged communities. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/us/fcc-expanding-efforts-to-connect-more-americans-to-broadband.html ANA finds SEO more effective than Facebook Advertisers are ?beginning to question the effectiveness? of social media marketing, but they?re still mostly sold on the benefits of search engine optimization. http://domainincite.com/ana-finds-seo-more-effective-than-facebook/ Aussie consumers increase online spending: Report Two thirds of Australians are now shopping online, with 40 per cent increasing online spending over the past 12 months, a new report claims. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/403531/aussie_consumers_increase_online_spending_report/ ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook?s Hotel California: Cross-Site Tracking and the Potential Impact on Digital Privacy Legislation For its 800 millions users, logging out of Facebook is not something done idly. Closing the Facebook tab won?t do it. Closing your browser won?t do it unless you?ve adjusted the settings in your browser to clear cookies upon closing. And Facebook has buried the log-out button so that it isn?t apparent from your Facebook main page or profile page. https://www.eff.org/2011/october/facebook?s-hotel-california-cross-site-tracking-and-potential-impact-digital-privacy ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* uk: Internet providers offer parents bar on porn Four leading web providers are to offer customers the option to block adult content at the point of subscription. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15252128 uk: New guidance to meet school cyberbullying worries Cyberbullying in schools is the subject of new guidance being issued by the Welsh Government. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15240871 Pornography to be blocked by internet service providers unless users opt in Subscribers to four of the UK's biggest internet service providers will have to "opt in" if they want to view sexually explicit websites, as part of government-sponsored curbs on online pornography. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/11/pornography-internet-service-providers Editorial: Internet pornography: A suitable case for treatment - The internet's benefits were never meant to include the bombarding of people's homes and children by pornography There has been much recent speculation about the Conservatives losing support among women voters. This may explain why David Cameron yesterday took an initiative on one of the few issues on which opinion polling reveals a sharp gender divide. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/11/internet-pornography-suitable-case-editorial David Cameron's 'porn filter' will make no difference, say ISPs Claims that David Cameron has forced a new "porn filter" on UK internet content have been disavowed by internet service providers, which said that the vast majority of customers will see "absolutely no difference" to their web content. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/11/david-cameron-porn-filter-isps ISP anger over Downing Street pornography control claims David Cameron?s initiative to help parents stop their children viewing sexually explicit websites was mired in confusion yesterday after internet providers accused Downing Street of giving misleading briefings. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/broadband/8820727/ISP-anger-over-Downing-Street-pornography-control-claims.html au: Online porn sites raise more complaints Australians are making more complaints about online pornography, leading to more sites being added to a voluntary internet filtering list, it was revealed yesterday. http://www.theage.com.au/national/online-porn-sites-raise-more-complaints-20111012-1ll4k.html nz: Kaikoura letters to the editor ... What good is this going to do in the recovery of Julian and helping the family cope with this! Good on Mr Cocker from Netsafe stating that you shouldn't read too much into Facebook conversations in judging individuals. What a shame the Express didn't heed Mr Cocker's comments and leave this out! http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/letters-to-the-editor/5767494/Kaikoura-letters-to-the-editor ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** au: Privacy body joins iiNet copyright High Court case Privacy advocates fear adverse consequences for consumers if Hollywood interests are handed a victory in a landmark copyright appeal in the High Court later this year. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/privacy-advocates-join-iinet-copyright-high-court-case/story-e6frgakx-1226164307842 au: Comms Alliance in iiNet court battle THE Communications Alliance is expected to lodge an application to intervene in Hollywood's landmark High Court bid to make ISPs liable for online copyright infringement. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/comms-alliance-in-iinet-court-battle/story-e6frgakx-1226163764503 Comms Alliance applies to take part in iiNet copyright court case The Communications Alliance has filed submissions seeking High Court of Australia permission to intervene in the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) online copyright case against iiNet as amicus curiae (friend of the court), as the organisation believes the Court?s deliberation has implications for internet service providers (ISPs) and internet users. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/403868/comms_alliance_applies_take_part_iinet_copyright_court_case/ ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Mobile Devices Seen Doubling by 2020 With the number of cellular connections nearing the number of people on the planet, the fast-growing cellphone industry could hit a wall if it doesn?t convince people to get more than one wirelessly connected device. http://allthingsd.com/20111010/mobile-devices-seen-doubling-by-2020-as-non-phones-dominate-wireless-airwaves/ 4G smartphone shipments to reach 245 million in 2016 The number of 4G smartphones being shipped annually is expected to hit 245 million in 2016, compared with just 4.6 million last year, according to data out today from ABI Research. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20118133-94/4g-smartphone-shipments-to-reach-245-million-in-2016/ Mobile Devices Account for a Growing Portion of Web Traffic The prediction that Internet traffic originating from mobile devices will eventually exceed that of desktop computers connected to the Internet is on its way to a reality. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/mobile-accounts-for-7-percent-of-web-traffic-report-says/ Mobile devices driving nearly 7 percent of Web traffic Mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular among U.S. consumers for accessing the Web, according to data released today by market researcher ComScore. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20118380-94/mobile-devices-driving-nearly-7-percent-of-web-traffic/ Smartphones and Tablets Drive Nearly 7 Percent of Total U.S. Digital Traffic [news release] comScore, Inc. ... released the report Digital Omnivores: How Tablets, Smartphones and Connected Devices are Changing U.S. Digital Media Consumption Habits. The report analyzes how cross-platform consumption has created a vastly different landscape as consumers utilize a growing number of devices to consume digital content. http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2011/10/Smartphones_and_Tablets_Drive_Nearly_7_Percent_of_Total_U.S._Digital_Traffic U.S. has more mobile subscribers than people, study finds The U.S. has more subscribers to wireless services than people, a new study released yesterday by CTIA has found. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20119272-17/u.s-has-more-mobile-subscribers-than-people-study-finds/ CTIA-The Wireless Association Semi-Annual Survey Reveals Historical Wireless Trend [news release] For the first time in history, the semi-annual survey conducted by CTIA-The Wireless Association? shows the number of wireless subscriber connections (327.6 million) has surpassed the population (315.5 million) in the United States and its territories (Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands), which means the wireless penetration rate in the U.S. is 103.9 percent. http://ctia.org/media/press/body.cfm/prid/2133 Samsung Dodges Dutch Sales Ban By Modifying Smartphones [Dow Jones] In a move that may point the way to breaking a global legal deadlock between Samsung Electronics Co. and Apple Inc., the Korean firm said Wednesday it modified smartphones that had been banned from sale in the Netherlands for violating Apple patents and would start selling the phones in the Dutch market this month. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20111012-705215.html Apple wins Samsung case in Australia Apple has won its legal bid to temporarily block the sale of Samsung's flagship tablet computer in Australia. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/apple-wins-samsung-case-in-australia/story-e6frgakx-1226165771696 Apple wins bid to block rival Samsung tablet The Federal Court has granted Apple an injunction to block tech rival Samsung from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/tablets/apple-wins-bid-to-block-rival-samsung-tablet-20111013-1lm43.html http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/tablets/apple-wins-bid-to-block-rival-samsung-tablet-20111013-1lm43.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/5780668/Apple-wins-bid-to-block-Samsung-tablet au: Mobile apps escape government censors Thousands of mobile phone apps released every week will be exempt from classification for the next two years under a federal government plan to give mobile phone application creators and businesses clarity while a review of Australia's classification system is held. http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/smartphone-apps/mobile-apps-escape-government-censors-20111011-1lj6w.html au: Government introduces interim legislation for online games classification The federal government has introduced new legislation to ensure access to online and mobile phone games will be maintained while a review of the National Classification Scheme in undertaken. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/403863/government_introduces_interim_legislation_online_games_classification/ Top Five Tips for Mobile Email Marketing Consumers are adopting innovations in mobile technology so rapidly that statistics about Internet usage are out of date almost as soon as they?re printed. http://econsultancy.com/uk/blog/8134-top-five-tips-for-mobile-email-marketing BlackBerry Points to Equipment Failure The maker of the BlackBerry said on Tuesday that the failure of a critical piece of equipment and a backup system had left BlackBerry users in several parts of the world without instant messaging service or reliable Web browsing for over two days. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/technology/blackberry-problems-linked-to-equipment-failure.html Blackberry problems spread to US Problems with the Blackberry smartphone system appear have to spread to the United States. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15276481 BlackBerry outage spreads to US and Canada as crisis deepens The BlackBerry outage has spread to North America, after continuing for a third day in Europe, the Midde East and Africa, as the service suffers its worst ever crash leaving a huge swathe of its 43 million active users without reliable email. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/12/blackberry-outage-us-canada-spreads Blackberry server crash: Email services restored Email has been restored to Blackberry smartphones after a server crash left millions of users without any services, the company's owner RIM has said. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15243892 BlackBerry service crash affects BBM messaging for millions Tens of millions of BlackBerry users in Europe, the Middle East and Africa have been unable to receive or send emails and messages through their phones, following an outage at the server systems of parent company Research In Motion (RIM) in Slough, Berkshire. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/10/blackberry-outage-affects-bbm-services BlackBerry Outage Hits Europe, Middle East, Africa BlackBerry customers throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa were without email, messenger and Internet services Monday morning, following an outage at one of Research In Motion?s data centers in the United Kingdom. http://allthingsd.com/20111010/blackberry-outage-hits-europe-middle-east-africa/ ********************** SPAM ********************** au: Email, SMS spam complaints rise six-fold [AAP] The telecommunications regulator says complaints about spam advertising email have risen following its increased focus on consumer issues. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/email-sms-spam-complaints-rise-sixfold-20111013-1llyn.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/email-sms-spam-complaints-rise-sixfold-20111013-1llyn.html ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** Bangladesh unveils $130 Android laptop The Bangladesh government has announced plans to launch a series of locally assembled, low-cost laptops running on Google Android in a bid to drive digital connectivity in villages. http://www.zdnetasia.com/bangladesh-unveils-130-android-laptop-62302470.htm ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** US Secret Orders Target Email: WikiLeaks Backer's Information Sought The U.S. government has obtained a controversial type of secret court order to force Google Inc. and small Internet provider Sonic.net Inc. to turn over information from the email accounts of WikiLeaks volunteer Jacob Appelbaum, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203476804576613284007315072.html nz: Court names bomb threat boy A south Auckland high school student who allegedly made bomb threats in retaliation to a new internet copyright law has lost his bid for continued name suppression. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/5774596/Court-names-bomb-threat-boy http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/5773718/Internet-copyright-law-led-to-threats http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/5773718/Bomb-threat-boy-named ********************** SECURITY ********************** Microsoft page says IE more secure than rival browsers A new Web page that tests browser security has crowned Internet Explorer 9 the most secure among the five major players. The only catch is that the page itself comes from Microsoft. http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20119282-75/microsoft-page-says-ie-more-secure-than-rival-browsers/ US power plants vulnerable to cyberattack Hundreds of thousands of people in darkness, hospitals in chaos, a banking system under siege ? a cyberattack on the US electricity grid could have catastrophic consequences. ... Now, four years since that first warning, experts say that power plants ? along with financial institutions, transportation systems and other infrastructure ? have become even more vulnerable. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/00148d60-c795-11e0-a03f-00144feabdc0.html Agreement on cybersecurity ?badly needed? The US and China often engage with each other on thorny topics such as the treatment of internal dissidents, North Korea and the rate of the renminbi to the dollar. But the distrust surrounding cyberwarfare remains so great that the two rival world powers communicate principally via proxies. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e595e568-f4dc-11e0-ba2d-00144feab49a.html Cyber attack tests for Olympic Games computer systems Simulated cyber attacks will be carried out on the computer systems running London's 2012 Olympic Games. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15244808 Germany spyware: Minister calls for probe of state use Germany's justice minister has called for a national and state level probe into the use of controversial computer software to spy on people. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15253259 Electronic Surveillance Scandal Hits Germany A German hacker organization claims to have cracked spying software allegedly used by German authorities. The Trojan horse has functions which go way beyond those allowed by German law. The news has sparked a wave of outrage among politicians and media commentators. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,790944,00.html Merkel's Cabinet in Spat over Trojan Horse Program In the latest issue to divide the German government, spyware allegedly used by authorities has sparked an intense debate about computer surveillance in the country. With at least two states admitting to possessing the potentially unconstitutional program, police have demanded clearer guidelines. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,791455,00.html Interview with Germany's Justice Minister: 'This Software Can Do Things Forbidden by the Constitution' A Trojan horse that can provide German investigators with unconstitutional access to targeted computers? SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke with Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger about the allegations and whether the scandal could drive another wedge into Chancellor Merkel's governing coalition. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,791464,00.html Hackers say German officials used backdoor Trojan A German hacker group says it has found a Trojan backdoor program designed for spying on Skype communications that it alleges was used for surveillance by German law enforcement officials but which also has flaws that put the infected computer at risk of serious attack by others. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20118194-245/hackers-say-german-officials-used-backdoor-trojan/ http://www.zdnetasia.com/hackers-say-german-officials-used-backdoor-trojan-62302449.htm German states defend use of 'Federal Trojan' Five German states have admitted using a controversial backdoor Trojan to spy on criminal suspects. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/12/bundestrojaner/ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Websites share user data more often than previously thought A study finds the practice of sending personal information to advertisers and others is pervasive, though not necessarily intentional, on some of the more popular websites. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-web-privacy-20111012,0,5765918.story Stanford Privacy Study 'Tracking The Trackers' Finds Top U.S. Sites Share Personal Data [Wall Street Journal] A study released Tuesday shows that 45% of the top 185 U.S. websites transmit identifying details about their visitors to at least four outside websites. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/11/stanford-privacy-study-tracking-the-trackers_n_1005940.html Supercookie Debate Offers a Transparent Opportunity by Christopher Parente Recent articles in the press have outlined how sites including MSN and Hulu are now using an advanced version of the old cookie file to track user behavior. These "supercookies" are very hard to detect and delete, and can track user behavior across multiple sites, not just one. These tricky little trackers have lawmakers pressing the FTC to investigate, and the IAB scrambling to defend industry practices. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111011_supercookie_debate_offers_a_transparent_opportunity/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Internet Censorship Growth Hampers News, Study Says A detailed study of Internet censorship in China and Iran shows that blocking techniques are changing rapidly and are becoming significant new obstacles for news organizations, governments and businesses. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/business/media/battling-internet-censorship-must-evolve-study-says.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** ACTA Signed by 8 of 11 Countries - Now What? On Saturday October 1st, eight countries (the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea) signed the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in Tokyo, Japan. Three of the participating countries (the European Union, Mexico, and Switzerland) have not yet signed the treaty, but have issued a joint statement affirming their intentions to sign it ?as soon as practicable.? ACTA will remain open for signature until May 2013. While the treaty?s title might suggest that it deals only with counterfeit physical goods such as medicines, it is in fact far broader in scope. https://www.eff.org/2011/october/acta-signed-8-members-are-we-doomed-yet ISPs' traffic management may breach data protection and privacy laws, EU watchdog says New EU laws on net neutrality may be necessary to stop internet service providers (ISPs) infringing individuals' data protection and privacy rights, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has said.12 Oct 2011 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/october/isps-traffic-management-may-breach-data-protection-and-privacy-laws-eu-watchdog-says/ au: NBN Bashing Once Again A recent report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has been used as the catalyst for a National Broadband Network (NBN) bashing leading to a rush of responses. http://www.rebuildingthenation.com.au/utility/nbn-bashing-once-again au: Network cost to public 'makes Greece look thrifty' The opposition has seized on a report that labels the National Broadband Network an example of "extreme government intervention", saying it made Greece look thrifty by comparison. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/network-cost-to-public-makes-greece-look-thrifty/story-e6frgakx-1226163382086 InternetNZ previews election debate with discussion paper In the lead up to an election debate on ICT, InternetNZ has today released a discussion document that calls for reform of the copyright law, convergence of broadcasting and telecommunications regulation, and the online publication of Official Information Act requests. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/internetnz-previews-election-debate-with-discussion-paper nz: Fibre Watch: Driven to distraction With the election looming, lobby group InternetNZ has swung into political mode. The organisation says our politicians need a more cohesive plan for maximising the benefits of the Ultra Fast Broadband rollout, warning of the potential to increase the digital divide between urban and rural communities. http://www.techday.co.nz/telecommunicationsreview/news/fibre-watch-driven-to-distraction/21272/ nz: Did Labour make a mis-step in supporting the Copyright Act? In the second part of Computerworld's Q and A interview with Labour ICT spokesperson MP Clare Curran, she discusses the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act, open government and raising the profile of ICT. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/did-labour-make-a-mis-step-in-supporting-the-copyright-act nz: The truth will out on UFB: Curran As ICT and broadcasting spokesperson for Labour, MP Clare Curran has led the charge in Parliament over questions regarding teh Ultra Fast Broadband and Rural Broadband initiatives. In part one of a Q and A interview with Stephen Bell, Curran rates National's performance in the ICT portfolio and considers Labour's response. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/the-truth-will-out-on-ufb-curran uk: ISPs win right to challenge Digital Economy Act judicial review ruling BT and TalkTalk have been granted permission to appeal a High Court ruling on the legality of the UK's Digital Economy Act. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/october/isps-win-right-to-challenge-digital-economy-act-judicial-review-ruling/ ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Cutting the cord: how the world's engineers built Wi-Fi In the 1980s, even before connectivity to the Internet became commonplace, people realized that connecting a group of computers together in a local area network (LAN) made those computers much more useful. Any user could then print to shared printers, store files on file servers, send electronic mail, and more. A decade later, the Internet revolution swept the world and LANs became the on-ramp to the information superhighway. The LAN technology of choice was almost universally Ethernet, which is terrific apart from one big downside: those pesky wires. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/10/cutting-the-cord-how-the-worlds-engineers-built-wi-fi.ars India unveils draft telecoms policy India has unveiled a draft telecoms policy, which reforms how mobile licences are sold and boosts consumer rights, the first such move since a corruption scandal rocked the sector. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15252252 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 ------ David Goldstein email: david at goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim FlanneryReceived on Thu Oct 13 2011 - 00:51:57 UTC
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