[DNS] domain name news - 1 November

From: David Goldstein <david> Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2012 15:18:35 +1100 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:11 UTC

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

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

U.S. Officials: Competition, Commercial Agreements Should Govern Internet
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/10/us-officials-competition-comme.php

Speaking out against the Nominet proposed release of second level .UK domains
http://www.domainnamenews.com/cctlds/speaking-out-against-the-nominet-proposed-release-of-second-level-uk-domains/16210

NTAG and RrSG Oppose IPC/BC Requests for Additional New gTLD RPMs by Philip Corwin
http://internetcommerce.org/NTAG_RrSG_Oppose_RPMs

us: When Is a Domain Name Protected Speech?
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/10/31/when-is-a-domain-name-protected-speech/

Congress Rental Australia continues partnership with ICANN
http://www.incentivetravel.co.uk/news/agency-news/10247-congress-rental-australia-continues-partnership-with-icann

**********************
GOVERNANCE
**********************
U.S. Officials: Competition, Commercial Agreements Should Govern Internet
American officials on Wednesday submitted more detailed proposals for preserving a collaborative system of governing the Internet.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/10/us-officials-competition-comme.php

India changes controversial Internet governance position
Following outrage from India's civil society and media, it appears the country's government has backed away from its proposal to create a UN body to govern the internet.
http://www.ifex.org/india/2012/10/30/internet_governance/

Internet control to be Dubai talks battleground
Talks in Dubai this December could bring radical changes the Net and who controls it. Some want a body like the UN to reign in the Net's freewheeling nature.
http://www.dw.de/internet-control-to-be-dubai-talks-battleground/a-16343551

National conference on Internet governance opens in Baku
The Azerbaijan Internet Forum (AIF) conducts a national conference on the eve of the meeting on international Internet-governance forum (IGF) in Baku.
http://abc.az/eng/news_29_10_2012_69116.html

**********************
DOMAIN NAMES
**********************
**********************
 - ICANN
**********************
ICANN at Internet Governance Forum 2012
... As in past IGF meetings, ICANN is participating in the forthcoming meeting in Baku with a delegation including the President and CEO, the Chairman of the Board, and other senior executives and Board Directors. ICANN is organizing an Open Forum session, and two workshops.
http://blog.icann.org/2012/10/icann-at-internet-governance-forum-2012-2/

Pre-Delegation Testing Provider for New gTLDs ? Request for Proposals
ICANN is issuing a Request for Proposals to identify one or more providers for the Pre-Delegation testing that is specified in the gTLD Applicant Guidebook.
http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-30oct12-en.htm

Root Zone KSK vs. Hurricane Sandy
ICANN is responsible for the management of the root zone?s DNSSEC Key Signing Key (KSK). This responsibility includes secure storage of cryptographic key material in redundant Key Management Facilities (KMFs) located within the USA, one in Culpeper, Virginia and one in El Segundo, California.
http://blog.icann.org/2012/10/root-zone-ksk-vs-hurricane-sandy/

Letter from David Panos, United TLD Holdco, Ltd., to Steven Crocker, Fadi Chehad?, and Kurt Pritz
Re: Application by United TLD for the .REPUBLICAN gTLD
http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/panos-to-crocker-et-al-30oct12-en

Letter from Olivier MJ Cr?pin-Leblond, At-Large Advisory Committee, to Steve Crocker
ALAC Analysis of AoC WHOIS Review Recommendations
https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/2/page/1/articles/15992

Letter from Patrik F?ltstr?m, SSAC, to the ICANN Board
SSAC Advisory on Impacts of Content Blocking via the Domain Name System
https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/2/page/1/articles/16105

NEW CEO, Trademark Clearinghouse, URS and RAA Take Center Stage at ICANN 45 in Toronto by Elisa Cooper
At his first meeting as CEO of ICANN, Fadi Chehade showed up ready to work AND to listen. ICANN's new CEO described his objectives for the organization which included 1) affirmation of purpose, 2) operational excellence, 3) internationalization, and 4) evolution of the multi-stakeholder model on which ICANN is built. He also described significant organizational changes to ICANN leadership and staff.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121030_new_ceo_trademark_clearinghouse_urs_and_raa_take_icann_toronto/

Open Root: The Grandfather Of The Internet Takes On ICANN
Louis Pouzin invented a precursor to the Internet?s TCP/IP?s protoool, and now he wants to break ICANN?s monopoly on TLDs
http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/interview/open-root-and-the-grandfather-of-the-internet-97497

Commerce, Justice Reviewing .com Contract
The Commerce and Justice departments are scrutinizing Verisign's bid for a six-year renewal of its contract to continue running the .com registry.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/10/commerce-justice-reviewing-com.php
http://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2012/10/commerce-justice-reviewing-com-contract/59156/

**********************
 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
**********************
Azerbaijan ready to expand national domain zone due to domain names in Azerbaijani language
... The forum will focus on expansion of national domain zone, the legal aspects of the use and registration of national domains, creation of domains in the Azerbaijani language, and the safety of children on the Internet.
http://abc.az/eng/news_31_10_2012_69158.html

EURid and UNESCO speak at IGF meeting in Baku
The .eu registry EURid and UNESCO will share their latest report on the global uptake of Internationalised Domain Names at the 7th IGF meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan on 6 November 2012.
http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/eurid-and-unesco-speak-igf-meeting-baku

EURid, UNESCO to present report on IDNs
The .eu registry EURid and UNESCO will present on 6 November a report on the global uptake of Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs).
http://www.neurope.eu/article/eurid-unesco-present-report-idns

.nz news
A roundup of .nz news from October 2012 is now available, including .nz domain name statistics as at 30 September 2012. Among the highlights, the new 2LD .kiwi.nz has taken off.
http://internetnz.net.nz/news/the-browser/2012/October-2012/nz-news

The Introduction of .uk Risks Damaging the UK Economy
So far, Nominet have done a fantastic job of ?burying the lead? on this issue. Of the 51 news reports that followed their initial call for a consultation, only 2 mentioned anything about possible effects on existing domain owners, and this only in passing. Instead, Nominet managed to distract attention by making its ?pitch? for the new domain space squarely about trust and security.
http://www.elliotsblog.com/guest-post-the-introduction-of-uk-risks-damaging-the-uk-economy-9754

Speaking out against the Nominet proposed release of second level .UK domains
After releasing single and two letter .co.uk domain names, Nominet, the operator of the .UK ccTLD is currently running a consultation on a release of domains under the second level, i.e. example.uk.On his site MyDomainNames.co.uk domain industry veteran Edwin Hayward from Memorable Domains details why he opposes the proposed procedure for release of those domains with a 22-page document
http://www.domainnamenews.com/cctlds/speaking-out-against-the-nominet-proposed-release-of-second-level-uk-domains/16210

Introduction of .uk - Don't Do It!
http://mydomainnames.co.uk/

Backlash rising against second level .uk domains
Earlier this month I reported about .uk registry Nominet and its plan to release second level .uk domains.
http://domainnamewire.com/2012/10/29/backlash-rising-against-second-level-uk-domains/

Nominet finds critical website not an abusive domain name registration
Nominet, the organisation that manages the '.uk' TLD, has refused to order the transfer of the domain name 'opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk' to the owners of Optical Express DCM (Optical Holdings) Limited, finding that the domain name was not an abusive registration, since its purpose was the genuine criticism of Optical Express.
http://www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=6a151957-42f2-4487-9a49-040ce7a26b7c

xxx: Meet The Man Behind The Google Of Porn
Did you know that there's a section of the population using the Internet to look at porn? Some of them are probably even doing it right now. Stuart Lawley caught on to that trend and started ICM Registry, a service that lets you register a website that ends in .xxx. It also maintains Search.xxx, a Google-like search engine for finding exactly what you want in your adult entertainment.
http://www.businessinsider.com/stuart-lawley-icm-registry-search-xxx-2012-10

**********************
 - NEW TLDS
**********************
NTAG and RrSG Oppose IPC/BC Requests for Additional New gTLD RPMs by Philip Corwin
ICANN?s most recently formed interest sector, the New TLD Applicants Group (NTAG), along with the longstanding Registrar?s Stakeholders Group (RrSG), have both issued statements taking strong issue with the appropriateness of considering proposals for enhanced and additional rights protection mechanisms (RPMs) at new gTLDs as well as their substance.
http://internetcommerce.org/NTAG_RrSG_Oppose_RPMs

ICANN looking for new gTLD testing provider on very tight deadline
ICANN is seeking one or more pre-delegation testing providers for its new gTLD program on a very ambitious timetable.
http://domainincite.com/10905-icann-looking-for-new-gtld-testing-provider-on-very-tight-deadline

Demand Media: ignore our Republican gTLD rivals
Demand Media has asked ICANN to ?ignore? complaints from the US Republican party about its application for the .republican gTLD.
http://domainincite.com/10895-demand-media-ignore-our-republican-gtld-rivals

Trademark protection stalemate follows ICANN 45
Trademark interests and new gTLD applicants are at odds about trademark protection ? again ? following the ICANN meeting in Toronto two weeks ago.
http://domainincite.com/10892-trademark-protection-stalemate-follows-icann-45

ICANN stakeholders square up over gTLD rights protection mechanisms
As reported previously in WTR, the issue of rights protection mechanisms (RPMs) in the new gTLD expansion have long been a point of contention and, following ICANN?s Toronto meeting this month, Steve Metalitz, president of the Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC), formally outlined eight proposed improvements to the current mechanisms:
http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/Detail.aspx?g=f0f7d1dd-189b-472b-96c4-6f537fae60ca

TLDH: Turning Point Has Been Reached For New gTLD Program & Some Registries Will Be Revenue Producing In 2013
According to a press release just issued by Top Level Domain Holdings (TLDH) ?a turning point has been reached for the timetable for the implementation of the new gTLD program.? and they expect that certain new registries ?are likely to be revenue producing in 2013.?
http://www.thedomains.com/2012/10/31/tldh-turning-point-has-been-reached-for-new-gtld-program-some-registries-will-be-revenue-producing-in-2013/

**********************
 - DNS SECURITY
**********************
Will the apocalypse arrive online? How fear of cyber attack could take down your liberties and the constitution by Karen Greenberg, director of the Center on National Security at Fordham Law School
First the financial system collapses and it's impossible to access one's money. Then the power and water systems stop functioning. Within days, society has begun to break down. In the cities, mothers and fathers roam the streets, foraging for food. The country finds itself fractured and fragmented - hardly recognisable.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/10/20121023103237429854.html

Legal fears muffle warnings on cybersecurity threats
The agenda at a secretive conference on protecting critical infrastructure from computer attack was curtailed at the last minute last week, underscoring the legal challenges of sharing such information, much less getting companies to respond to it.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/10/29/uk-cyberwar-infrastructure-idUKBRE89S1AF20121029
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/10/29/cyberwar-infrastructure-idINDEE89S0D220121029

Denial of service attacks spiked 153 percent in 2011
If you looked at a graph of denial of service attacks, you?d likely see a hockey stick of growth in 2011, according to research by DDOS-protection company Prolexic.
http://venturebeat.com/2012/10/29/ddos-spike/

Prolexic Study Offers E-Commerce Website Strategies to Combat Holiday DDoS Attacks
Distributed Denial of Service protection services provider Prolexic announced on Monday it has published a new white paper titled Strategies for Surviving a Cyber Attack this Holiday Season as part of its executive series.
http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/prolexic-study-offers-e-commerce-website-strategies-to-combat-holiday-ddos-attacks

New ENISA Inventory of CERT (Computer Emergency Response Teams) ?digital fire brigades? plus interactive map [news release]
ENISA has published a new interactive CERTs map and Inventory of CERT?s activities in Europe containing publicly listed teams and co-operation, support and standardisation activities.
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/new-enisa-inventory-of-cert-computer-emergency-response-teams-201cdigital-fire-brigades201d-plus-interactive-map

Shopping The Russian Cybercrime Underground
Inside look at the wide range of hacking and related services being offered in the Russian-speaking cybercrime marketplace illustrates its maturity and popularity
http://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/167901121/security/vulnerabilities/240012590/shopping-the-russian-cybercrime-underground.html

FBI cybersecurity shift draws skepticism from experts [CSO]
The FBI has changed its cybersecurity strategy to place greater emphasis on identifying the criminals behind attacks, a shift that some experts say won't make a dent in hacking operations.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/103112-fbi-cybersecurity-shift-draws-skepticism-263836.html

us: Health Care Group Puts Focus on Current Cybersecurity Efforts
The health care industry is joining other businesses in urging Congress and federal officials to consider existing cybersecurity efforts before enacting new measures to better protect American computer networks.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/10/healthcare-group-highlights-ex.php

us: Hopes for federal cybersecurity standards fading
Cybersecurity is clearly on the agenda of both Congress and President Obama. But it is just as clearly not at the top of their list.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/103012-hopes-for-federal-cybersecurity-standards-263810.html

Say 'Cheese': Georgian Nation Makes Offense Its Defense
Calls for offensive security are all the rage these days for derailing cyberespionage, and organizations such as the nation of Georgia's Computer Emergency Response Team, are aggressively embracing it: The CERT revealed in a new report that it set a trap that basically hacked an alleged cyberspy and recorded his activity via his computer's camera.
http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/attacks-breaches/240012665/say-cheese-georgian-nation-makes-offense-its-defense.html

Irked by cyberspying, Georgia outs Russia-based hacker -- with photos
In one of the photos, the dark-haired, bearded hacker is peering into his computer's screen, perhaps puzzled at what's happening. Minutes later, he cuts his computer's connection, realizing he has been discovered.
http://www.itworld.com/308638/irked-cyberspying-georgia-outs-russia-based-hacker-photos

Georgia turns the tables on Russian hacker
The Ministry of Justice of Georgia was fed up. Continual, persist cyberattacks that stole confidential information from various government agencies, parliament, banks and NGOs had carried on for months. The activity warranted an investigation, and so in March 2011, Georgia launched an investigation to find the perpetrators.
http://www.zdnet.com/georgia-turns-the-tables-on-russian-hacker-7000006611/

DDoS Response: Communication Tips
Denial of service attacks against large organizations shouldn't come as a surprise anymore, says attorney Ronald Raether, who says attack targets should be better prepared to communicate the incidents to the public.
http://www.govinfosecurity.com/ddos-response-communication-tips-a-5250

DDoS attacks: A threat to national security?
Government agencies in the United States are becoming more aware of the threats to free enterprise and public infrastructure posed by distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Although these attacks have posed a substantial threat for more than a decade, agencies traditionally have not taken sufficient steps to combat the problem and ensure their own security.
http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/27728

The SQL Injection Disconnection
A new report out this week that examines the most talked-about topics within online hacker forums shows that there may be a huge disconnect between the vulnerabilities that hackers are most keen to exploit and the risk mitigation measures CSOs squirrel away cash to purchase.
http://www.darkreading.com/vulnerability-management/167901026/security/news/240012596/the-sql-injection-disconnection.html

SQL and DDOS attacks remain priority for hackers
SQL injection and DDoS attacks are still the main ways in which hackers aim to attack websites.
http://www.itpro.co.uk/643870/sql-and-ddos-attacks-remain-priority-for-hackers

DDoS and SQL injection are the most popular attack subjects
An analysis of conversations in one of the largest known hacker forums ? with around 250,000 members ? has revealed that SQL-injection and DDoS are the subjects of most interest to up-and-coming wannabe hackers.
http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/29033/ddos-and-sql-injection-are-the-most-popular-attack-subjects

**********************
 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
**********************
eu: Court of Justice of the European Union - Pie Optiek SPRL v Bureau Gevers SA and Others [subscription]
During the period of phased registration for the ?.eu? top level internet domain name, a Belgian company which had been authorised to register a trademark on behalf of an American company but had not been authorised to use it commercially, had not been the ?licensee? of the trademark.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/reports/article3561924.ece

uk: Nominet finds critical website not an abusive domain name registration
Nominet, the organisation that manages the '.uk' TLD, has refused to order the transfer of the domain name 'opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk' to the owners of Optical Express DCM (Optical Holdings) Limited, finding that the domain name was not an abusive registration, since its purpose was the genuine criticism of Optical Express.
http://www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=6a151957-42f2-4487-9a49-040ce7a26b7c

fr: Afnic wins domain name infringement decision
French internet registry Afnic is not obliged to take precautionary measures, according to a ruling by the Paris court of appeal.
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/afnic-wins-domain-name-infringement-decision

us: When Is a Domain Name Protected Speech?
A federal appeals court teed up the question on Tuesday, in a ruling that revived a lawsuit by a Texas plaintiffs? lawyer who uses the domain name ?texasworkerscomplaw.com.?
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/10/31/when-is-a-domain-name-protected-speech/

us: Federal appeals court sends lawyer's domain name dispute back to Lubbock
A federal appellate court has sent a Lubbock attorney?s battle with the Texas Department of Insurance over the domain name for an Internet website back to U.S. District Court for more work.
http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-10-31/federal-appeals-court-sends-lawyers-domain-name-dispute-back-lubbock#.UJHhj2dWC7k

**********************
 - IPv4/IPv6
**********************
IPv6 Is Not an All-or-Nothing Proposition
I have recently met many people who are under the impression that an organization must transition directly from IPv4 to IPv6. Thankfully, this is not the case. You can run IPv4 and IPv6 side-by-side during the interim stage of migration. Only after a long period of running both will you eventually be able to start to disable IPv4. A decade or more from now, IPv6 may be the only network-layer protocol used.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/81691

The Hybrid Cloud Impact on IPv6 Adaptation by Juha Holkkola
Over the last couple of months, the enterprise computing space seems to have started a shift from private cloud paradigm into the hybrid cloud model. That makes sense, because the hybrid cloud allows companies to forgo the capital and the operating expenses associated with private clouds, in exchange for a pay-as-you-go model where you can just sit back and consume the business applications.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121029_the_hybrid_cloud_impact_on_ipv6_adaptation/

IPv6 experts talk shop in Melbourne
Last month, the Australian IPv6 Summit was held in Melbourne. Over 100 people gathered to hear about the latest with the IPv6 addressing protocol. New Zealand IPv6 Task Force and InternetNZ staffer Campbell Gardiner was on hand, penning a number of blog posts relating to IPv6 in this part of the world.
http://internetnz.net.nz/news/the-browser/2012/October-2012/IPv6-experts-talk-shop-Melbourne

Names, Numbers and Beyond... by Chris Buijs
Couple of weeks ago I started a new initiative called "Names, Numbers and Beyond". I started this as I genuinely think we are facing big issues due to the uncontrolled and non-standard growth of the IP and Name space used today and tomorrow. To keep in control and make everything manageable, parcelling out IP address space and the use of tight naming standards/policies is necessary to make networks work better and make them achievable.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121031_names_numbers_and_beyond/

**********************
 - MISCELLANEOUS
**********************
Indian domain conference attracts 4,000
While US domain conferences are reportedly becoming sedate affairs, a domain-heavy summit that kicks off tomorrow in Mumbai has more than 4,000 signed-up attendees, according to organizers.
http://domainincite.com/10901-indian-domain-conference-attracts-4000

China Domain Name Scams. It?s Still A Scam!
We wrote on China domain name scams last year, but since we are seeing an increase in these from our clients and readers, we are going to write on it again.
http://www.chinalawblog.com/2012/10/china-domain-name.html

CENTR Monthly Roundup October 2012 - Available
The latest edition of the CENTR Monthly Roundup Newsletter is available. In this edition: Member News, Survey - Publication of Registry Zone File, Afnic wins domain infringement decision & Upcoming events
http://centr.org/news/10-31-2012/2427/centr-monthly-roundup-october-2012-available

DNForum Owner Adam Dicker Stars in New Video Blog, Edwin Hayward Launches Offensive Against .UK Proposal & Sedo's Dave Evanson Announces Big .CO.UK Sale
One of the most popular sessions at the 2012 T.R.A.F.F.I.C. conference, held at Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida earlier this month, featured DNForum.com owner Adam Dicker dispensing advice on how to turn domains into money making businesses.
http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20121030.htm

Congress Rental Australia continues partnership with ICANN
Congress Rental Australia, a member of the Congress Rental Network has continued its partnership with ICANN.
http://www.incentivetravel.co.uk/news/agency-news/10247-congress-rental-australia-continues-partnership-with-icann

**********************
 - WEBHOSTING
**********************
Web Host Go Daddy Sees 95 Percent Increase in Indian Resellers Over Q3 2011
Web host Go Daddy has seen a 95 percent increase in India resellers for Q3 year-over-year, according to an email sent to the WHIR by Go Daddy. Go Daddy launched a reseller plan to support its Indian resellers in April 2012, which contributed to this growth, Go Daddy says.
http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/web-host-go-daddy-sees-95-percent-increase-in-indian-resellers-over-q3-2011

**********************
 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
**********************
Web Hosting Domain Name Webhosting.co.uk Sold for $500,000 by Sedo
According to a Tuesday post by Elliot Silver on his domain name industry blog Elliot?s Blog, Sedo domain broker Dave Evanson announced the sale of the web hosting related domain name webhosting.co.uk for $500,000 on Facebook and Twitter Tuesday morning.
http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/web-hosting-domain-name-webhosting-co-uk-sold-for-500000-by-sedo

Lawyers snap up Hurricane Sandy domains
As Hurricane Sandy heads toward the northeastern united states, people are heading to their domain registrar to register related domain names.
http://domainnamewire.com/2012/10/29/lawyers-snap-up-hurricane-sandy-domains/

Domain Name Market in Doldrums? The Back Story on Today's Article in the San Francisco Chronicle
A new article about the domain name aftermarket titled "Internet Domain Name Market in the Doldrums" was published by the San Francisco Chronicle today. I was quoted extensively in the article by author Carrie Kirby who called for an interview in the course of researching the subject. Domain sales piqued Carrie's interest because the ultimate geodomain representing the Chronicle's state, California.com, has just been put on the market with DomainHoldings.com representing the seller. 
http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20121029.htm

**********************
INTERNET USE
**********************
Finland: Plan for universal 100Mbps service by 2015 on track
Back in 2009, Finland announced what might be the world?s most ambitious national broadband plan: a guaranteed minimum service level of 1Mbps for all homes and companies by 2010. That goal is then planned to be kicked up to 100Mbps, served via a fixed connection or wireless, by 2015.
http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/10/finland-plan-for-universal-100mbps-service-by-2015-on-track/

A Rewired Internet Would Speed Up Content Delivery
Content-centric networking promises to deliver content quicker and more reliably?but it may take time for companies to adopt it.
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/506581/a-rewired-internet-would-speed-up-content-delivery/

Analyzing Big Data Is Returning an Edge to Microsoft
Eric Horvitz joined Microsoft Research 20 years ago with a medical degree, a Ph.D. in computer science and no plans to stay. ?I thought I?d be here six months,? he said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/technology/microsoft-renews-relevance-with-machine-learning-technology.html

Websites knocked offline by super-storm Sandy
Americans affected by storm Sandy were unable to access some popular news and commentary websites as power cuts in Lower Manhattan knocked several offline.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20138863

When Floodwaters Rise, Web Sites May Fall
Here is a lesson every Web site manager may be taking away from Hurricane Sandy: It is probably not a good idea to put the backup power generators where it floods.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/technology/when-floodwaters-rise-web-sites-may-fall.html

Where Sandy Knocked Out the Internet
The internet may seem abstract, but it does actually need hardware?hardware that can be damaged by storms like Sandy. As this chart from internet intelligence group Renesys shows, outages happened across the Northeast but were concentrated in New York City. The data comes from BGP, or border gateway protocol, servers that are used to direct internet traffic. You can see the huge jump in outages due to Hurricane Sandy start around 5:00 PM on the 29th, peaking at around 5:00 AM the next morning.
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2012/10/where-sandy-knocked-out-internet/58541/

**********************
SOCIAL MEDIA
**********************
Facebook used to kidnap, traffic Indonesian girls
When a 14-year-old girl received a Facebook friend request from an older man she didn't know, she accepted it out of curiosity. It's a click she will forever regret, leading to a brutal story that has repeated itself as sexual predators find new ways to exploit Indonesia's growing obsession with social media.
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-used-to-kidnap-traffic-indonesian-girls-20121030-28gf8.html

Lovesick patients 'bombarding doctors with Facebook messages'
Doctors are facing the increasing problem of infatuated patients trying to flirt with, proposition or harrass them by bombarding them with messages on websites such as Facebook or Twitter.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9639804/Lovesick-patients-bombarding-doctors-with-Facebook-messages.html

**********************
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
**********************
How Google Builds Its Maps?and What It Means for the Future of Everything
Behind every Google Map, there is a much more complex map that's the key to your queries but hidden from your view. The deep map contains the logic of places: their no-left-turns and freeway on-ramps, speed limits and traffic conditions. This is the data that you're drawing from when you ask Google to navigate you from point A to point B -- and last week, Google showed me the internal map and demonstrated how it was built. It's the first time the company has let anyone watch how the project it calls GT, or "Ground Truth," actually works. 
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/09/how-google-builds-its-maps-and-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-everything/261913/

*********************************
CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
*********************************
au: School prepared for cyber-bullying
A Lake Macquarie High School says it cannot afford not to be on the front foot when it comes to tackling bullying.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-30/school-prepared-for-cyber-bullying/4340556

au: Principal praised for cyber bullying crackdown
The president of a parents and citizens' association has praised a Gold Coast school principal's stand against cyber bullying.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-31/principal-praised-for-cyber-bullying-crackdown/4343686

au: Principal v bullies: Cyber bully crackdown
A QUEENSLAND principal has launched a crackdown on cyber bullying, suspending any student who posts abusive messages on a school Facebook page.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/students-suspended-following-comments-on-facebook-page/story-e6freoof-1226507020952

ie: Third suicide in weeks linked to cyberbullying
Erin Gallagher?s death is the third high-profile apparent suicide linked to cyberbullying in a matter of weeks.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/third-suicide-in-weeks-linked-to-cyberbullying-212271.html

ca: Cyberbullying needs more attention, justice ministers say
Canada's justice and public safety ministers say they'll work together to see what more can be done to stop cyberbullying.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2012/10/31/sk-online-bullying-justice-ministers-121031.html

**********************
ONLINE TV, MUSIC & PIRACY
**********************
IT pricing: Illegal downloading acting as market force, ACCC says
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) has told a parliamentary inquiry that consumers' use of illegal download sites to access content is a backlash against suppliers.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/440712/it_pricing_illegal_downloading_acting_market_force_accc_says/

**********************
MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Advertising Relearned for Mobile
Say you are in a strange city and need a hotel for the night. You pull out your phone, search for hotels on Google and see a nearby one listed at the top of the rankings, with a little phone icon that says, ?Call.? You tap it, reach the hotel and ask for a room.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/technology/advertisers-refine-mobile-pitches-for-phones-and-tablets.html

U.A.E. Moves Toward Paperless Classrooms
Ahmed bin Futais is not carrying a heavy backpack with massive textbooks around Zayed University ?s Dubai campus this year. Instead, he has an iPad.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/world/middleeast/29iht-educlede29.html

Digital revolution lights up Africa with maps, mobiles, money and markets
In Africa, necessity is the mother of invention and social media sites are not just for sharing photographs and gossip
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/africa-digital-revolution-mobile-phones

Africa's apps: farming to gaming
Digital enterprise on the continent has sparked a range of user-friendly programs, from chat forums and photo-sharing sites to the first mobile 'cow calendar'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/africa-apps-software-digital-enterprise

**********************
SPAM
**********************
Skype users in India hit by malware
A "malicious spam" has hit the internet-based audio-video communicator 'Skype' in the Indian cyberspace and anti-hacking sleuths have asked users to remain alert and cautious.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-30/internet/34816199_1_skype-users-malicious-spam-voip

in: Trai likely to issue new rules on spam
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will issue new rules on unsolicited commercial communications or spam in a week.
http://www.livemint.com/Industry/LG3Ncdmh10ZZAlAMffCcTI/Trai-likely-to-issue-new-rules-on-spam.html

**********************
ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
**********************
Google loses Australia 'gangland' defamation lawsuit
A jury in Australia has found Google liable for damages after a complaint that its search results had linked a local man to gangland crime.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20153309

Google search results defamed Melbourne man
A Melbourne man has won a defamation case against search engine giant Google over images of him alongside a well-known underworld figure that appeared in its search results.
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/google-search-results-defamed-melbourne-man-20121031-28kkl.html
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/google-search-results-defamed-melbourne-man-20121031-28kkl.html

nz: Police computer scam doing the rounds
People are being warned about the latest computer scam, which appears to come from the police. The scam features a message demanding a fine of $250 to be paid to avoid prosecution for unlawful downloading of software.
http://farmingshow.com/news/nbnat/765488976-police-computer-scam-doing-the-rounds
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/765488976-police-computer-scam-doing-the-rounds

nz: Computer virus uses police logo [AAP]
New Zealand police are warning their own logo is being used by computer scammers trying to extort money from people.
http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8556919/computer-virus-uses-police-logo
http://www.3news.co.nz/Computer-scam-uses-police-logo/tabid/412/articleID/274887/Default.aspx

nz: Caution urged over latest computer scam
Police are urging caution over a computer-generated scam, which demands a cash payment and features the New Zealand Police logo.
http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/caution-urged-over-latest-computer-scam-5180541

nz: Scam uses police logo
A computer-generated scam demanding a cash payment featuring the New Zealand Police logo is circulating.
http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/34113-scam-uses-police-logo.html

**********************
SECURITY
**********************
Will the apocalypse arrive online? How fear of cyber attack could take down your liberties and the constitution by Karen Greenberg, director of the Center on National Security at Fordham Law School
First the financial system collapses and it's impossible to access one's money. Then the power and water systems stop functioning. Within days, society has begun to break down. In the cities, mothers and fathers roam the streets, foraging for food. The country finds itself fractured and fragmented - hardly recognisable.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/10/20121023103237429854.html

Legal fears muffle warnings on cybersecurity threats
The agenda at a secretive conference on protecting critical infrastructure from computer attack was curtailed at the last minute last week, underscoring the legal challenges of sharing such information, much less getting companies to respond to it.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/10/29/uk-cyberwar-infrastructure-idUKBRE89S1AF20121029
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/10/29/cyberwar-infrastructure-idINDEE89S0D220121029

Denial of service attacks spiked 153 percent in 2011
If you looked at a graph of denial of service attacks, you?d likely see a hockey stick of growth in 2011, according to research by DDOS-protection company Prolexic.
http://venturebeat.com/2012/10/29/ddos-spike/

Prolexic Study Offers E-Commerce Website Strategies to Combat Holiday DDoS Attacks
Distributed Denial of Service protection services provider Prolexic announced on Monday it has published a new white paper titled Strategies for Surviving a Cyber Attack this Holiday Season as part of its executive series.
http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/prolexic-study-offers-e-commerce-website-strategies-to-combat-holiday-ddos-attacks

New ENISA Inventory of CERT (Computer Emergency Response Teams) ?digital fire brigades? plus interactive map [news release]
ENISA has published a new interactive CERTs map and Inventory of CERT?s activities in Europe containing publicly listed teams and co-operation, support and standardisation activities.
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/new-enisa-inventory-of-cert-computer-emergency-response-teams-201cdigital-fire-brigades201d-plus-interactive-map

Shopping The Russian Cybercrime Underground
Inside look at the wide range of hacking and related services being offered in the Russian-speaking cybercrime marketplace illustrates its maturity and popularity
http://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/167901121/security/vulnerabilities/240012590/shopping-the-russian-cybercrime-underground.html