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 *************************************************** Internet Society Calls on Policymakers to Preserve the Internet?s Openness, Innovation and Interoperability in Proposed Changes to the International Telecommunications Regulations http://www.internetsociety.org/news/internet-society-board-trustees-calls-policymakers-preserve-internet?s-openness-innovation-and Experts: Internet businesses should pay attention to ITU meeting [IDG] http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/440034/experts_internet_businesses_should_pay_attention_itu_meeting/ UN calls to expand internet surveillance http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20039580 au: Groundswell must continue to oppose greater internet control by Adrian Kinderis http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/business-it/groundswell-must-continue-to-oppose-greater-internet-control-20121023-282q7.html ICANN 45: Super-Fadi targets Trademark Clearinghouse and RAA talks http://domainincite.com/10814-icann-45-super-fadi-targets-trademark-clearinghouse-and-raa-talks Is ICANN Stumbling Forward? GAC Advice and Shared Decision Making Procedures by Wolfgang Kleinw?chter http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121024_is_icann_stumbling_forward_gac_advice/ Soon Verisign could sell .com domains direct http://domainincite.com/10796-soon-verisign-could-sell-com-domains-direct CoCCA withdraws from APTLD over support for AusRegistry ?monopoly? http://domainincite.com/10803-cocca-withdraws-from-aptld-over-support-for-ausregistry-monopoly Governments Weigh Options On New Top-Level Domains At ICANN http://www.ip-watch.org/2012/10/23/governments-weigh-options-on-new-top-level-domains-at-icann/ GAC gives reprieve to four at-risk new gTLD bids http://domainincite.com/10805-gac-gives-reprieve-to-four-at-risk-new-gtld-bids Here?s how Donuts wants to resolve its 158 new gTLD contention fights http://domainincite.com/10828-heres-how-donuts-wants-to-resolve-its-158-new-gtld-contention-fights ARI expands its DNS business http://domainincite.com/10800-ari-expands-its-dns-business APWG Report: Phishing Websites Proliferate at Record Speed in First Half of 2012 [APWG news release] http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/10/25/apwg-report-phishing-websites-proliferate/ au: Spy agency's cyber warning http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/spy-agencys-cyber-warning/story-e6frgakx-1226502690640 au: Cyber security threats are rising: Smith http://www.afr.com/p/national/cyber_security_threats_are_rising_VbgEDwwSq5cL1UI5ttTOEJ ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Internet Society Board of Trustees Calls on Policymakers to Preserve the Internet?s Openness, Innovation and Interoperability in Proposed Changes to the International Telecommunications Regulations During its recent meeting in Toronto, Canada, the Internet Society Board of Trustees called on policymakers, in advance of the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in December, to preserve the openness, dynamism, and growth of the Internet when modifying the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs). http://www.internetsociety.org/news/internet-society-board-trustees-calls-policymakers-preserve-internet?s-openness-innovation-and Experts: Internet businesses should pay attention to ITU meeting [IDG] An upcoming meeting of the U.N.'s International Telecommunication Union could have a huge impact on Internet businesses, and those businesses should help lobby to keep the organization from imposing new Internet regulations, a group of Internet advocates said Wednesday. http://www.cio.com/article/719857/Experts_Internet_businesses_should_pay_attention_to_ITU_meeting http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/440034/experts_internet_businesses_should_pay_attention_itu_meeting/ UN calls to expand internet surveillance The internet has become a standard tool for terror groups who use it to spread propaganda, recruit members and raise cash, warns a UN report. Wider surveillance of the net would help combat this growing problem, said the report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20039580 ca: CIRA praises Ottawa's support on Internet Canada?s Internet domain registry is very pleased with the support Treasury Board president Tony Clement gave the current Internet governance structure ahead of what is expected to be a testy international conference in December. http://www.itworldcanada.com/news/cira-praises-ottawas-support-on-internet/146291 au: Groundswell must continue to oppose greater internet control by Adrian Kinderis Earlier this month I joined federal senators, industry leaders, government advisors, stakeholder groups and concerned citizens in Canberra for Australia's inaugural Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) to help shape the future of the internet in Australia. http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/business-it/groundswell-must-continue-to-oppose-greater-internet-control-20121023-282q7.html http://www.canberratimes.com.au/it-pro/business-it/groundswell-must-continue-to-oppose-greater-internet-control-20121023-282q7.html http://www.watoday.com.au/it-pro/business-it/groundswell-must-continue-to-oppose-greater-internet-control-20121023-282q7.html http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/business-it/groundswell-must-continue-to-oppose-greater-internet-control-20121023-282q7.html http://www.ariservices.com/blog/groundswell-must-continue-to-oppose-greater-internet-control/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy (IRTP) Part C Policy Development Process (PDP) Recommendations for Board Consideration Purpose (Brief): Obtain community input on the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy Part C recommendations adopted by the GNSO Council prior to ICANN Board consideration. http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/irtp-c-recommendations-22oct12-en.htm Proposed Modification of GNSO PDP Manual to Address the Suspension of a PDP Purpose (Brief): The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Standing Committee on Improvements Implementation (SCI) is recommending a modification of the GNSO Policy Development Process (PDP) Manual, which is an integral part of the GNSO Operating Procedures, to address the possible suspension of a PDP. http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/gnso-pdp-manual-22oct12-en.htm IDN Variant TLD Program - Interim Report Examining the User Experience Implications of Active Variant TLDs Purpose (Brief): To receive community feedback on the interim report of the document "Examining the User Experience Implications of Active Variant TLDs" http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/interim-variant-ux-23oct12-en.htm GAC Early Warning Michele Jourdan explains possible responses to an Early Warning. http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/video/gac-early-warning-23oct12-en ICANN 45: Super-Fadi targets Trademark Clearinghouse and RAA talks There can be no denying that ICANN?s new CEO was well received at the Toronto meeting last week. http://domainincite.com/10814-icann-45-super-fadi-targets-trademark-clearinghouse-and-raa-talks Is ICANN Stumbling Forward? GAC Advice and Shared Decision Making Procedures by Wolfgang Kleinw?chter When Bill Clinton addresses the 40th ICANN meeting in San Francisco in March 2010 he described Internet Governance as a process of "stumbling forward". Stumbling is good, he said, as long as it goes forward. Five ICANN meetings later - in the meantime ICANN adopted the new gTLD program, got nearly 2000 applications for TLDs and has a new CEO - the "stumbling forward" goes into the next round. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121024_is_icann_stumbling_forward_gac_advice/ Soon Verisign could sell .com domains direct With little fanfare, ICANN last week formally approved new rules that could allow incumbent registry operators to own registrars that sell domains in their own gTLDs. http://domainincite.com/10796-soon-verisign-could-sell-com-domains-direct What One ICANN Journalist Thinks I had the opportunity to participate on the "What the Journalists Think" panel at last week's ICANN meeting in Toronto, and that was enjoyable, and flattering, and I had the opportunity to meet a few other folks that I have admired for a long time. All good, eh, except for the fact that the panel moderator didn't ask many of the questions he said he would ask. So now I have several pages of "unused" notes. Unused until now. http://www.bna.com/icann-journalists-think-b17179870406/ Africa at ICANN - Continent on the Move by Andrew Mack There was one obvious take-away from this week's ICANN meetings in Toronto, and for once it was less about policy and more about geography. Simply put, Africa is really - finally - coming together at ICANN, with a new energy, new unity and lots of new participation from African participants. And from top to bottom, the ICANN community seems to be taking notice. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121023_africa_at_icann_continent_on_the_move/ The "ICANN Africa Strategy" Is Not the Same as the 'African Agenda' by Sophia Bekele The ICANN-45 International meeting of the ICANN Global Community in Toronto, Canada provided an opportunity for the unveiling of the initial draft of the ICANN Africa Strategy, an episode that will always be remembered as a landmark moment which signaled the official commencement of ICANN's new approach to Africa. Indeed, a new chapter has started regarding how ICANN will relate henceforth to Africa. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121024_icann_africa_strategy_is_not_the_same_as_the_african_agenda/ Blacknight?s Michele Neylon elected secretary of ICANN Registrar Group Blacknight?s founding director has been elected to the position of secretary of the Registrar Stakeholder Group of ICANN, the organisation that decides the naming systems for the internet. http://www.siliconrepublic.com/comms/item/29889-blacknights-michele-neylon ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** CoCCA withdraws from APTLD over support for AusRegistry ?monopoly? Registry services provider CoCCA has pulled out of the Asia Pacific Top Level Domain Association after APTLD gave support to AusRegistry in its campaign to continue to run .au. http://domainincite.com/10803-cocca-withdraws-from-aptld-over-support-for-ausregistry-monopoly URS Could Arrive Soon at .Com & .Net by Philip Corwin Rather than being considered for implementation at the .com and .net registries through the front door of UDRP reform, Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) could arrive at these registries in advance of that reform through the backdoor of ending registry-registrar separation. http://internetcommerce.org/URS%40DotCom fr: Afnic Release Infographic On Domain Disputes Unless you?re really fascinated by domain names and trademark law and disputes, domain name disputes aren?t exactly an ?exciting? topic. Afnic, the .fr registry, however, are trying to change that in their own little way. http://www.internetnews.me/2012/10/24/afnic-release-infographic-on-domain-disputes/ fr: Scope on Syreli - New support for statistics and graphics published by Afnic How many rulings have been handed down? With Scope, find out the key facts and figures each month on the Syreli procedure. The purpose of Scope on Syreli is to summarize the procedure?s data and disseminate them as widely as possible. From now on, each month, new statistics and graphics will be posted on the Afnic website, in particular on: http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/6387/show/scope-on-syreli-new-support-for-statistics-and-graphics-published-by-afnic.html Inside Public Internet Registry?s Project94 Auctions for Short Name .ORGs For companies and organizations, securing their desired domain name is a crucial move that can significantly optimize their online branding or community outreach efforts. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/inside-public-internet-registrys-project94-auctions-for-short-name-orgs Malaysia and Brazil joining Italy in UPU?s .post project The Universal Postal Union has revealed that Poste Italiane has become the first postal operator to launch a new website using the ?.post? TLD. http://postandparcel.info/51391/news/it/malaysia-and-brazil-joining-italy-in-upus-post-project/ With .rw in Rwandan hands, does it make any difference? When in August 2002 Rwan?da sent the first request to ICANN to obtain the .rw domain name from NIC Congo-Interpoint, the op?erator that managed it at the time, it justified this request by saying that the operator ?did not adequately serve the interests of any individual or orga?nization not connected with our coun?try.? However, it was only ten years later, in September 2012, that it actu?ally took charge of attributing .rw. http://focus.rw/wp/2012/10/with-rw-in-rwandan-hands-does-it-make-any-difference/ http://allafrica.com/stories/201210220096.html Site Dedicated To Stir Up Support Against Nominet Plan To Sell .UK Domains Goes Live: That.co.uk Within what appears to be the last week, a new site has gone up to dedicated to the proposed change by Nominet, the organization that runs the .uk ccTLD, to start selling domain names ending in just .UK rather than .co.uk or .net.uk. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/10/23/site-dedicated-to-stir-up-support-against-nominet-plan-to-sell-uk-domains-goes-live-that-co-uk/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Governments Weigh Options On New Top-Level Domains At ICANN Governments have been considering their options with regard to intervening against applications for new gTLDs, which are currently being processed by ICANN. http://www.ip-watch.org/2012/10/23/governments-weigh-options-on-new-top-level-domains-at-icann/ GAC gives reprieve to four at-risk new gTLD bids ICANN?s Governmental Advisory Committee has given four new gTLD applicants cause to breath a sigh of relief with its official advice following last week?s meeting in Toronto. http://domainincite.com/10805-gac-gives-reprieve-to-four-at-risk-new-gtld-bids Here?s how Donuts wants to resolve its 158 new gTLD contention fights Donuts is backing a private auction model designed and managed by Cramton Associates as its preferred solution for resolving its 158 new gTLD contention sets. http://domainincite.com/10828-heres-how-donuts-wants-to-resolve-its-158-new-gtld-contention-fights Halftime Is over for the New gTLD Applicants: Musings of a Hungry Marketer by Jennie-Marie Larsen As I sit in Schiphol airport awaiting the final leg of my journey home from ICANN Toronto, I'm thinking of all the work that lies ahead in the coming months. The sense of being caught in the holding pattern that descended over the industry after the Prague meeting and lasted into September, is evidently over. The wheels have thankfully begun to turn again on the path towards the new TLDs finally going live. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121022_halftime_is_over_for_new_gtld_applicants/ What Brand Owners Need To Do To Cope With The New Domain Names After Reveal Day On June 13, 2012, ICANN revealed that 1,930 new applications had been filed in the online TLD Application System (TAS). This represents a significant increase over the 500 applications that ICANN originally anticipated. http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/202550/ ARI expands its DNS business ARI Registry Services officially announced its aggressive targeting of the DNS services market at an event in Toronto last week. http://domainincite.com/10800-ari-expands-its-dns-business ARI Registry Services unveils DNS service & sends message to the competition ARI Registry Services formally unveiled its expanded DNS service last week in Toronto, Canada during ICANN?s 45th public meeting. http://www.ariservices.com/news-ari_unveils_dns.php ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** APWG Report: Phishing Websites Proliferate at Record Speed in First Half of 2012 [APWG news release] A new phishing survey released by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) at their conference here this week reveals that while the uptime of phishing websites dropped during the first half of 2012, cybercriminals were driving substantial increases in the numbers of phishing websites they established to steal from consumers. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19057 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/10/25/apwg-report-phishing-websites-proliferate/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/apwg-report-phishing-websites-proliferate-at-record-speed-in-first-half-of-2012.html The Anatomy of National and International Cyber Security Exercises; new report by the EU cyber-security Agency ENISA [news release] In its new report, the EU?s ?cyber-security agency? ENISA (the European Network and Information Security Agency) examines 85 national and international cyber-exercises between 2002 and 2012. The report issues seven recommendations. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/the-anatomy-of-national-and-international-cyber-security-exercises-new-report-by-the-eu-cyber-security-agency-enisa In Cyberattack on Saudi Firm, U.S. Sees Iran Firing Back The hackers picked the one day of the year they knew they could inflict the most damage on the world?s most valuable company, Saudi Aramco. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/business/global/cyberattack-on-saudi-oil-firm-disquiets-us.html The Internet Attack That Wasn?t For an hour Monday afternoon, the entire Internet came under attack. Or so it seemed. Brian Krebs, a closely followed computer security blogger, reported on Twitter that he had received a tip that the servers that power the entire Internet were under attack. The well-regarded Mr. Krebs linked to an Internet Traffic Report that said nine out of 13 Domain Name System servers had been disabled in the largest denial of service ever reported ? topping a 1997 incident in which a technical glitch disabled seven DNS root servers. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/the-internet-attack-that-wasnt/ Cyberspace the new frontier in Iran's war with foes Two years after the Stuxnet computer worm attacked its nuclear program, Iran is increasingly turning to cyber warfare itself in a growing, stealthy confrontation with its enemies. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/uk-iran-cyber-idUKBRE89N0NY20121024 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/iran-cyber-stuxnet-virus-idINDEE89N05G20121024 Why the Government's Cybersecurity Plan Will End in Catastrophe The Department of Defense wants access to private computer systems in the name of cybersecurity. In addition to being a privacy nightmare, CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle says a centralized information sharing system will actually make the United States more susceptible to cyber attacks and suggests an alternate approach to cybersecurity. http://www.cio.com/article/719295/Why_the_Government_s_Cybersecurity_Plan_Will_End_in_Catastrophe UN: More International Cooperation Needed to Fight Cyberterrorism [IDG] The lack of an international agreement on cybercrime and terrorism is thwarting efforts to bring terrorists to justice, said a report released this week by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9232844/UN_More_international_cooperation_needed_to_fight_cyberterrorism http://www.cio.com/article/719842/UN_More_International_Cooperation_Needed_to_Fight_Cyberterrorism http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/440017/un_more_international_cooperation_needed_fight_cyberterrorism/ DDoS attacks against banks raise question: Is this cyberwar? [IDG] It's been a month of crippling denial-of-service attacks on websites operated by US banks and financial services firms. A terrorist organisation called Al-Qassam takes credit online, but now the attacks are being blamed on Iran. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/security/ddos-attacks-against-banks-raise-question-is-this-cyberwar http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/102412-bank-attacks-cyberwar-263664.html U.S. Bank Hackers Promise DDoS Pause After six weeks of attacks, the Muslim hacktivist group that's knocked the websites of some of Wall Street's biggest banks offline announced that it's taking a holiday. http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/us-bank-hackers-promise-ddos-pause/240009676 Attackers Turn to Open DNS Resolvers to Amplify DDoS Attacks Although DDoS attacks have been a serious problem for more than a decade now and security staffs have a good handle on how they're executed and how to handle them, attackers constantly adjust their tactics in order to defeat the best defenses available. http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/attackers-turn-open-dns-resolvers-amplify-ddos-attacks-102412 Hackers' new super weapon adds firepower to DDOS Public-sector IT managers and hackers are always in a constant struggle, especially since government websites are so often the targets of malicious attacks. Now agencies have one more thing to worry about. The hackers have got themselves a High Orbit Ion Cannon -- actually, an unlimited number of the new weapons. http://gcn.com/articles/2012/10/24/hackers-new-super-weapon-adds-firepower-to-ddos.aspx Spammers Abuse .gov URL Shortener Service in Work-at-home Scams [IDG] Spammers have found a way to abuse a URL shortener service destined for U.S. government social media activities in order to craft rogue .gov URLs for work-at-home scams. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/102212-spammers-abuse-gov-url-shortener-263582.html http://www.cio.com/article/719391/Spammers_Abuse_.gov_URL_Shortener_Service_in_Work_at_home_Scams Canadian Government Approach to Cybersecurity Fragmented: Auditor General Report The center responsible for monitoring national cyber threats is open fewer hours than most banks, a new report by Canada?s auditor general finds. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/canadian-government-approach-to-cybersecurity-fragemented-auditor-general-report State Hacking: Do's and Don'ts, Pros and Cons by Wout de Natris Over the past days a lot has been said and written on counter hacking by enforcement agencies. The cause is a letter Dutch Minister I. Opstelten, Security & Justice, sent to parliament. Pros and cons were debated and exchanged. Despite the fact that I perfectly understand the frustration of enforcement agencies of having to find actionable data and evidence that gets criminals convicted in a borderless, amorphous environment, a line seems to be crossed with this idea presented to Dutch parliament. Where are we? http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121022_state_hacking_dos_and_donts_pros_and_cons/ Hunting Botnets On A Bigger Scale An international group of researchers has built a prototype system for detecting botnets on a large scale and that can sniff out previously undiscovered botnet command-and-control servers. http://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/167901121/security/vulnerabilities/240009618/hunting-botnets-on-a-bigger-scale.html au: Spy agency's cyber warning One of Australia's most secretive intelligence agencies, the Defence Signals Directorate, has emerged from the shadows to warn of the deepening threat of cyber espionage. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/spy-agencys-cyber-warning/story-e6frgakx-1226502690640 au: Cyber security threats are rising: Smith Australia is facing increased attempts to infiltrate public and private computer networks, a conference has heard. http://www.afr.com/p/national/cyber_security_threats_are_rising_VbgEDwwSq5cL1UI5ttTOEJ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** IPv6: Why you should be ready and why it is so important Last month, the RIPE NCC started to allocate IPv4 address space from the last /8 ? the final batch of unallocated IPv4 address space available in Europe, the Middle East and parts of Central Asia. But what does this mean? http://www.itproportal.com/2012/10/22/ipv6-why-you-should-be-ready-and-why-it-so-important/ Canada slow switching to next-generation internet - With IP addresses running out, Canada needs to upgrade, experts say Canada is making moves toward the next generation of the internet, as real estate on the World Wide Web runs out, but some experts warn the country is falling behind. The Canadian government has recently outlined its plan to upgrade all of its websites, and more Canadian portals have moved to the new system, called IPv6. http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/10/19/icann-ipv6-internet-real-estate-canada.html http://sfluxe.com/2012/10/22/canada-slow-switching-to-next-generation-internet/ The IPv6-Addressable Light Bulb Goes On Sale What can you do with an LED light bulb that has its own internet address? And how much would you pay for it? http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/the-ipv6-addressable-light-bulb-goes-on-sale Wi-Fi Lightbulbs Are Real And Awesome: First Impressions The Island of Dr Moreau-style splicing of technologies is generally one trend the world could do without. ?Haven?t you always wanted a lava lamp with a built-in hatchet?? No, Mr Pitchman, and please take your abominations elsewhere. But every once and in a while we get a combination that actually makes a lot of sense. Wi-Fi in your lightbulbs may just be the future of lighting. http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/10/wi-fi-lightbulbs-are-real-and-awesome-first-impressions/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Lawsuit claims Go Daddy illegally recorded phone calls ... Well, according to two California men, their phone calls with domain name registrar Go Daddy were secretly recorded in violation of California law. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/10/23/lawsuit-claims-go-daddy-illegally-recorded-phone-calls/ The Future Of Geo Domains: Chicago.com Makes $125K In 1st Year Of Selling SubDomains & Email Addresses I had a chance to sit down with Josh Metnick who owns Chicago.com and started selling subdomains & email addresses ending in Chicago.com. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/10/20/the-future-of-geo-domains-chicago-com-makes-125k-in-1st-year-of-selling-subdomains-email-addresses/ ********************** - WEBHOSTING ********************** How Media Temple Uses Instagram to Engage Web Hosting Customers Web hosting provider Media Temple has grown to 2,661 Instagram followers since opening an account in January 2012, and in a phone interview with the WHIR, social media lead Sara Carter describes how web hosts can use Instagram to engage customers. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/how-media-temple-uses-instagram-to-engage-web-hosting-customers ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** .XXX Operator Releases Main Wave of Premium Generic Keyword Domains Following the highly-successful launch of the Internet?s first TLD porn search engine, search.xxx, ICM Registry today announced the release of over 1,000 premium generic keyword domain names. These domain names are now available for registration on a first come, first served basis and many reflect the most popular key words searched by millions of adult content connoisseurs. http://www.icmregistry.com/press/xxx-operator-releases-main-wave-of-premium-generic-keyword-domains/ ICM Registry Releases 1,000 Premium .XXX Domain Names .XXX operator ICM Registry today announced the release of more than 1,000 premium generic keyword domain names. http://newswire.xbiz.com/view.php?id=155701 ICM puts $7.7 million of .xxx domains up for sale Having already sold over $5 million worth of premium .xxx domains names, ICM Registry is putting another 1,000 names on the market, with a total purchase price of over $7.7 million. http://domainincite.com/10845-icm-puts-7-7-million-of-xxx-domains-up-for-sale That offer you just got for your domain is the highest you?ll ever get Have you ever turned down an offer on one of your domain names only to kick yourself later? http://domainnamewire.com/2012/10/19/that-offer-you-just-got-for-your-domain-is-the-highest-youll-ever-get/ SnapNames releases Android app for bidding Less than two months after it released an iPhone app, domain name marketplace SnapNames has released a comparable Android app. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/10/22/snapnames-releases-android-app-for-bidding/ Domain sale roundup: Bankruptcy auction, .xxx, GreatDomains, and SnapNames I?ve received a number of recent announcements regarding domains sales and auctions, and some of them are rather interesting. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/10/24/domain-sale-roundup-bankruptcy-auction-xxx-greatdomains-and-snapnames/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Your views on Europe's Digital Future [news release] The European Commission's Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) has launched a Stakeholder Survey to learn more about individuals, groups, organisations and entities who are involved in, or have views on, shaping Digital Agenda for Europe. http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8851 ********************** SOCIAL MEDIA ********************** uk: Average teenager has never met quarter of Facebook friends The average 12- to 15-year-old has never met one in four of their "friends" on social networking websites such as Facebook, according to new research. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/oct/23/teenage-girls-send-220-texts-week Significant rise in children?s texting and time spent online [news release] Children are texting and spending more time online than ever before, according to Ofcom?s latest annual report on children?s media habits. http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2012/10/23/significant-rise-in-children?s-texting-and-time-spent-online/ ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** cn: Mobile phones create distance between generations Although mobile phones, portable computers and similar devices have served to bring together people who would otherwise lose touch with each other, they have also created a digital divide between young people and their older relatives, causing squabbles and discontent. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2012-10/23/c_131923053.htm ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* uk: 'Parasitic' porn websites stealing and re-posting sexually explicit images of children and young teenagers Pornographic websites are stealing ?self-made? sexually explicit images of children and young teenagers, a leading internet safety organisation said today. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/parasitic-porn-websites-stealing-and-reposting-sexually-explicit-images-of-children-and-young-teenagers-8221782.html 'Parasite' porn websites stealing images and videos posted by young people Children and young people are posting thousands of sexually explicit images of themselves and their peers online, which are then being stolen by porn websites, according to a leading internet safety organisation. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/oct/22/parasite-porn-websites-images-videos Young people are warned they may lose control over their images and videos once they are uploaded online [news release] This follows a study by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). It shows 88% of the self-generated, sexually explicit online images and videos of young people their analysts encountered had been taken from their original location and uploaded onto other websites. http://www.iwf.org.uk/about-iwf/news/post/334-young-people-are-warned-they-may-lose-control-over-their-images-and-videos-once-they-are-uploaded-online Should children be taught that porn is not real? Many teenagers regularly view porn. But does this give them a distorted view of sex and relationships, and is there anything that can be done? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20042508 uk: Hollyoaks launches online anti-bullying venture Following Esther's bullying ordeal, the Channel 4 soap has launched DocYou - a special project extending the storyline and highlighting challenges faced by teens http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-10-24/hollyoaks-launches-online-anti-bullying-venture nz: Tackling the cyber bullying problem This new age cyber bullying is becoming so common that it's frightening. The consequences of such leading to suicide, avoidance, depression anxiety and substance use. http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/7850580/Tackling-the-cyber-bullying-problem nz: Confession page fall-out A derogatory Facebook confession page set up by a former student from a West Auckland high school has been shut down, with principals labelling it as "totally unacceptable". http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/7861440/Confession-page-fall-out nz: Stop the Hate: Anti-bullying campaign More Be careful who you give your mobile number to and don't pass on friends' numbers without asking them. http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/stop-hate-ways-prevent-cyberbullying/1595266/ ********************** ONLINE TV, MUSIC & PIRACY ********************** More piracy sites faced with blocking as BPI contacts UK ISPs The UK's major internet service providers have been asked to block three more file-sharing websites, the BBC can reveal. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-20026271 uk: ISPs asked to block access to three more allegedly infringing sites by UK music body The UK's biggest six internet service providers (ISPs) have been asked to block their customers' access to three websites that have been accused of infringing music labels' copyright. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/october/isps-asked-to-block-access-to-three-more-allegedly-infringing-sites-by-uk-music-body/ Irish ISP UPC temporarily blocks The Pirate Bay Confused customers of Irish internet service provider (ISP) UPC are asking whether it is planning to block access to The Pirate Bay file-sharing website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20067297 French Music Streaming Service Is Taking On the World, but Omitting America Most of the biggest Internet companies got their start in the United States or expanded there quickly. One of the most successful European start-ups, on the other hand, hopes to turn itself into a global powerhouse by ignoring America. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/technology/deezer-hears-a-non-us-beat.html nz: Opinion: Juha Saarinen: We are all pirates now Last week decision by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) to drop one of its eight file sharing cases before the Copyright Tribunal is strange, but also a stark illustration of a law that leaves the accused essentially defenceless. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10842361 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Apple, Samsung, Google and the smartphone patent wars - everything you need to know Following Eric Schmidt's remark to Kara Swisher in October that he wouldn't comment on the smartphone patent wars because he "doesn't understand all the details", we'd like to be of service. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/oct/22/smartphone-patent-wars-explained In Mobile World, Tech Giants Scramble to Get Up to Speed Intel made its fortune on the chips that power personal computers, and Microsoft on the software that goes inside. Google?s secret sauce is that it finds what you are looking for on the Internet. But the ground is shifting beneath these tech titans because of a major force: the rise of mobile devices. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/technology/in-mobile-world-tech-giants-struggle-to-get-up-to-speed.html Health experts uncover pro-smoking smartphone apps Health experts are warning that pro-smoking smartphone apps could tempt young people to start using cigarettes after new research found that dozens of them have been downloaded millions of times. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/oct/23/pro-smoking-smartphone-apps-tobacco-companies Samsung says ITU ruling in favor of Apple would mean less choice, higher prices [IDG] A finding by the U.S. International Trade Commission that Samsung infringed Apple's patents would lead to less choice and higher prices for consumers, Samsung said Wednesday after an ITU judge issued a preliminary decision against the company. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9232856/Samsung_says_ITU_ruling_in_favor_of_Apple_would_mean_less_choice_higher_prices U.S. ITC judge says Samsung infringed Apple patents South Korea's Samsung Electronics, the world's top maker of smartphones, infringed Apple patents to make its smartphones and tablets, a U.S. trade panel judge said in a preliminary decision issued on Wednesday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/uk-apple-samsung-patent-idUKBRE89N1OY20121024 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/apple-samsung-patent-idINDEE89N0D620121024 Dutch court says Samsung does not infringe Apple patent A Dutch court has ruled Samsung Electronics does not infringe an Apple Inc patent by using certain multi-touch techniques on some of the Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablet computers. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/uk-samsung-apple-dutch-court-idUKBRE89N0GS20121024 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/samsung-apple-dutch-court-idINDEE89N03Y20121024 Samsung does not infringe on Apple's multitouch patent, Dutch court rules [IDG] Samsung's Galaxy devices don't infringe on an Apple multitouch patent that describes technology that prevents smartphone users from pushing two on-screen buttons at the same time, the Court of The Hague ruled on Wednesday. The technique used in Android is sufficiently different from Apple's patent, the judge said. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/102412-samsung-does-not-infringe-on-263647.html http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9232821/Samsung_does_not_infringe_on_Apple_39_s_multitouch_patent_Dutch_court_rules ********************** SECURITY ********************** APWG Report: Phishing Websites Proliferate at Record Speed in First Half of 2012 [APWG news release] A new phishing survey released by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) at their conference here this week reveals that while the uptime of phishing websites dropped during the first half of 2012, cybercriminals were driving substantial increases in the numbers of phishing websites they established to steal from consumers. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19057 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/10/25/apwg-report-phishing-websites-proliferate/ The Anatomy of National and International Cyber Security Exercises; new report by the EU cyber-security Agency ENISA [news release] In its new report, the EU?s ?cyber-security agency? ENISA (the European Network and Information Security Agency) examines 85 national and international cyber-exercises between 2002 and 2012. The report issues seven recommendations. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/the-anatomy-of-national-and-international-cyber-security-exercises-new-report-by-the-eu-cyber-security-agency-enisa In Cyberattack on Saudi Firm, U.S. Sees Iran Firing Back The hackers picked the one day of the year they knew they could inflict the most damage on the world?s most valuable company, Saudi Aramco. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/business/global/cyberattack-on-saudi-oil-firm-disquiets-us.html The Internet Attack That Wasn?t For an hour Monday afternoon, the entire Internet came under attack. Or so it seemed. Brian Krebs, a closely followed computer security blogger, reported on Twitter that he had received a tip that the servers that power the entire Internet were under attack. The well-regarded Mr. Krebs linked to an Internet Traffic Report that said nine out of 13 Domain Name System servers had been disabled in the largest denial of service ever reported ? topping a 1997 incident in which a technical glitch disabled seven DNS root servers. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/the-internet-attack-that-wasnt/ Cyberspace the new frontier in Iran's war with foes Two years after the Stuxnet computer worm attacked its nuclear program, Iran is increasingly turning to cyber warfare itself in a growing, stealthy confrontation with its enemies. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/uk-iran-cyber-idUKBRE89N0NY20121024 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/iran-cyber-stuxnet-virus-idINDEE89N05G20121024 Why the Government's Cybersecurity Plan Will End in Catastrophe The Department of Defense wants access to private computer systems in the name of cybersecurity. In addition to being a privacy nightmare, CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle says a centralized information sharing system will actually make the United States more susceptible to cyber attacks and suggests an alternate approach to cybersecurity. http://www.cio.com/article/719295/Why_the_Government_s_Cybersecurity_Plan_Will_End_in_Catastrophe UN: More International Cooperation Needed to Fight Cyberterrorism [IDG] The lack of an international agreement on cybercrime and terrorism is thwarting efforts to bring terrorists to justice, said a report released this week by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9232844/UN_More_international_cooperation_needed_to_fight_cyberterrorism http://www.cio.com/article/719842/UN_More_International_Cooperation_Needed_to_Fight_Cyberterrorism http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/440017/un_more_international_cooperation_needed_fight_cyberterrorism/ DDoS attacks against banks raise question: Is this cyberwar? [IDG] It's been a month of crippling denial-of-service attacks on websites operated by US banks and financial services firms. A terrorist organisation called Al-Qassam takes credit online, but now the attacks are being blamed on Iran. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/security/ddos-attacks-against-banks-raise-question-is-this-cyberwar http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/102412-bank-attacks-cyberwar-263664.html U.S. Bank Hackers Promise DDoS Pause After six weeks of attacks, the Muslim hacktivist group that's knocked the websites of some of Wall Street's biggest banks offline announced that it's taking a holiday. http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/us-bank-hackers-promise-ddos-pause/240009676 Attackers Turn to Open DNS Resolvers to Amplify DDoS Attacks Although DDoS attacks have been a serious problem for more than a decade now and security staffs have a good handle on how they're executed and how to handle them, attackers constantly adjust their tactics in order to defeat the best defenses available. http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/attackers-turn-open-dns-resolvers-amplify-ddos-attacks-102412 Hackers' new super weapon adds firepower to DDOS Public-sector IT managers and hackers are always in a constant struggle, especially since government websites are so often the targets of malicious attacks. Now agencies have one more thing to worry about. The hackers have got themselves a High Orbit Ion Cannon -- actually, an unlimited number of the new weapons. http://gcn.com/articles/2012/10/24/hackers-new-super-weapon-adds-firepower-to-ddos.aspx Spammers Abuse .gov URL Shortener Service in Work-at-home Scams [IDG] Spammers have found a way to abuse a URL shortener service destined for U.S. government social media activities in order to craft rogue .gov URLs for work-at-home scams. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/102212-spammers-abuse-gov-url-shortener-263582.html http://www.cio.com/article/719391/Spammers_Abuse_.gov_URL_Shortener_Service_in_Work_at_home_Scams Canadian Government Approach to Cybersecurity Fragmented: Auditor General Report The center responsible for monitoring national cyber threats is open fewer hours than most banks, a new report by Canada?s auditor general finds. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/canadian-government-approach-to-cybersecurity-fragemented-auditor-general-report State Hacking: Do's and Don'ts, Pros and Cons by Wout de Natris Over the past days a lot has been said and written on counter hacking by enforcement agencies. The cause is a letter Dutch Minister I. Opstelten, Security & Justice, sent to parliament. Pros and cons were debated and exchanged. Despite the fact that I perfectly understand the frustration of enforcement agencies of having to find actionable data and evidence that gets criminals convicted in a borderless, amorphous environment, a line seems to be crossed with this idea presented to Dutch parliament. Where are we? http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121022_state_hacking_dos_and_donts_pros_and_cons/ Hunting Botnets On A Bigger Scale An international group of researchers has built a prototype system for detecting botnets on a large scale and that can sniff out previously undiscovered botnet command-and-control servers. http://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/167901121/security/vulnerabilities/240009618/hunting-botnets-on-a-bigger-scale.html au: Spy agency's cyber warning One of Australia's most secretive intelligence agencies, the Defence Signals Directorate, has emerged from the shadows to warn of the deepening threat of cyber espionage. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/spy-agencys-cyber-warning/story-e6frgakx-1226502690640 au: Cyber security threats are rising: Smith Australia is facing increased attempts to infiltrate public and private computer networks, a conference has heard. http://www.afr.com/p/national/cyber_security_threats_are_rising_VbgEDwwSq5cL1UI5ttTOEJ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Microsoft Tightens Personal Data Rules Microsoft said on Monday that it would change its new disclosure policy to tell consumers explicitly that it would not use personal information it collects from users of some Microsoft products to produce or promote targeted online advertising. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/technology/microsoft-tightens-personal-data-rules.html FTC: Companies should limit facial recognition in some cases [IDG] Web companies using facial recognition technology should avoid identifying anonymous images of consumers to someone who could not otherwise identify them, unless the companies have the consumers? consent, a U.S. Federal Trade Commission report said. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2012826/ftc-companies-should-limit-facial-recognition-in-some-cases.html FTC Recommends Best Practices for Companies That Use Facial Recognition Technologies [news release] The Federal Trade Commission today released a staff report "Facing Facts: Best Practices for Common Uses of Facial Recognition Technologies" for the increasing number of companies using facial recognition technologies, to help them protect consumers? privacy as they use the technologies to create innovative new commercial products and services. http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/10/facialrecognition.shtm Tracking Software Company Settles FTC Charges That it Deceived Consumers and Failed to Safeguard Sensitive Data it Collected [news release] A web analytics company has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated federal law by using its web-tracking software that collected personal data without disclosing the extent of the information that it was collecting. The company, Compete Inc., also allegedly failed to honor promises it made to protect the personal data it collected. http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/10/compete.shtm Google, Microsoft and Nokia launch one-stop 'hide from maps' service in Germany Google, Microsoft, Nokia and a number of other companies have formed an association to attempt to allay Germans' privacy concerns over mapping services. http://www.zdnet.com/google-microsoft-and-nokia-launch-one-stop-hide-from-maps-service-in-germany-7000006232/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Internet anti-censorship tools are being overwhelmed by demand U.S.-funded programs to beat back online censorship are increasingly finding a ready audience in repressive countries, with more than 1 million people a day using online tools to get past extensive blocking programs and government surveillance. But the popularity of those initiatives has become a liability. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/online-tools-to-skirt-internet-censorship-overwhelmed-by-demand/2012/10/21/390457a2-082d-11e2-858a-5311df86ab04_story.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** U.N. calls for 'anti-terror' Internet surveillance United Nations report calls for Internet surveillance, saying lack of "internationally agreed framework for retention of data" is a problem, as are open Wi-Fi networks in airports, cafes, and libraries. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57537559-38/u.n-calls-for-anti-terror-internet-surveillance/ OECD report highlights dangers of regulating the Internet An OECD report on Internet traffic exchange says the current model based on voluntary contractual agreements has been hugely successful and could be seriously undermined by attempts - reported to be on the agenda of the ITU's global conference in December - to impose the type of regulation that has governed international voice telephony for decades. http://www.itwire.com/it-policy-news/regulation/57114-oecd-report-highlights-dangers-of-regulating-the-internet European Antitrust Officials Say Microsoft Violated Deal European regulators on Wednesday charged Microsoft with an antitrust violation for failing to live up to a prior agreement to give users of its Windows software equal access to rival Internet browsers. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/technology/european-antitrust-officials-charge-microsoft-with-violation.html au: For their eyes only ASIO and law enforcement agencies say technology is undermining their capabilities. They want new powers, including access to two years of our phone and internet data. Is the intrusion justified? http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2012-10-21/4316150 au: Online surveillance under government microscope As the relatively new adage goes: on the internet no one knows you?re a dog. But under proposals being considered by a parliamentary committee, law enforcement agencies could know not only who you are online, but who you communicate with. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/online_surveillance_under_government_raFE55IsKZYmukQG5pWe8K us: Cantor slams net neutrality as example of 'imperial presidency' House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) cited net-neutrality regulations as evidence of what he called President Obama's disregard for the legislative process in a report released Tuesday. http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/263543-cantor-slams-net-neutrality-as-example-of-imperial-presidency us: Cantor Report Dings FCC Net Neutrality Rules House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., on Tuesday singled out the Federal Communications Commission's Internet competition rules in a report decrying the rise of an "imperial presidency." http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/10/cantor-report-dings-fcc-net-ne.php nz: Curran calls for balance in copyright review Labour communications and broadcasting spokeswoman Clare Curran says she has returned from a US State Department-funded tour of the US with "a greater respect for intellectual property". http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7858252/Curran-calls-for-balance-in-copyright-review ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** nz: Business missing out on internet opportunities Businesses using cloud technologies are more likely to be more successful, according to new research into the state of the nation's online business environment. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/small-business/7855998/Business-missing-out-on-internet-opportunities ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** A Bandwidth Breakthrough: A dash of algebra on wireless networks promises to boost bandwidth tenfold, without new infrastructure Academic researchers have improved wireless bandwidth by an order of magnitude?not by adding base stations, tapping more spectrum, or cranking up transmitter wattage, but by using algebra to eliminate the network-clogging task of resending dropped packets of data. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/429722/a-bandwidth-breakthrough/ nz: Fears of overbuild in Ultra Fast Broadband rollout TUANZ questions why Chorus is building on top of existing networks built by Network Tasman and Unison http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/fears-of-overbuild-in-ultra-fast-broadband-rollout --------- David Goldstein email: david at goldsteinreport.com 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 FlanneryReceived on Thu Oct 25 2012 - 03:23:48 UTC
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