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 *************************************************** Bitter struggle over Internet regulation to dominate global summit http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/11/27/un-internet-idINDEE8AQ02920121127 European Parliament speaks out against centralised internet control http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/november/european-parliament-speaks- out-against-centralised-internet-control/ ICANN Board Forecasts Special Brand Protection To High Profile Non-Profit Organisations [ICANN news release] http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/11/29/icann-board-forecasts-special-brand-pr otection-to-high-profile-non-profit-organisations/ A Follow-Up to Our Trademark Clearinghouse Meetings by Fadi Chehad? http://blog.icann.org/2012/11/a-follow-up-to-our-trademark-clearinghouse-mee tings/ ICANN, Make a Difference: The $100 million raised by the sale of new Web domains should be used to wire Africa by Sascha Meinrath and Elliot Noss http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/11/icann_s_gtld_a uction_proceeds_should_be_used_to_bring_mesh_technologies.html You Got a Better Idea? ICANN is the worst solution to Internet governance, except for all the alternatives by Jonathan Koppell http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/11/itu_dubai_summ it_why_icann_is_still_the_best_option_for_internet_governance.html Europe rejects ICANN?s authority as it warns of problems with 58 new gTLDs http://domainincite.com/11130-europe-rejects-icanns-authority-as-it-warns-of -problems-with-58-new-gtlds Trademark Clearinghouse fees to be capped at $150 http://domainincite.com/11121-trademark-clearinghouse-fees-to-be-capped-at-1 50 ICANN massively expands the reserved domains list for new gTLDs http://domainincite.com/11146-icann-massively-expands-the-reserved-domains-l ist-for-new-gtlds IPv6: A 2012 Report Card by Yves Poppe http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121128_ipv6_a_2012_report_card/ European And US Law Enforcement Agencies Seize 132 Domains Selling Counterfeit Merchandise http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/11/27/european-us-law-enforcement-seize-132- domains/ Melbourne IT may sell off businesses as ICANN delays hit bottom line http://domainincite.com/11110-melbourne-it-may-sell-off-businesses-as-icann- delays-hit-bottom-line ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** >From Tunis to Baku and Bali by Markus Kummer Should the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) have gone to Baku? This question dominated discussions before and during the recent IGF and was an issue discussed widely among participants as well as in the blogoshpere. Many people, who I highly respect, held the view that hosting the IGF in countries, like Azerbaijan, was a mistake: ?Azerbaijan is the wrong place to hold a forum on Internet freedom. The government has been vicious in its attacks on journalists and bloggers. The UN must choose more carefully next time.? http://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2012/11/tunis-baku-and-bali Bitter struggle over Internet regulation to dominate global summit An unprecedented debate over how the global Internet is governed is set to dominate a meeting of officials in Dubai next week, with many countries pushing to give a United Nations body broad regulatory powers even as the United States and others contend such a move could mean the end of the open Internet. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/11/27/un-internet-idINDEE8AQ02920121127 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/27/uk-un-internet-idUKBRE8AQ0612012112 7 http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/27/net-us-un-internet-idUSBRE8AQ06320 121127 Fears grow over efforts to govern the web A deeply technical, two-week conference on new rules for connecting the world?s communications networks hardly sounds like a setting for high-stakes international brinkmanship. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/7ff2be2c-3971-11e2-8881-00144feabdc0.html European Parliament speaks out against centralised internet control It would be inappropriate for a single centralised international institution to be given regulatory authority over internet governance or traffic, the European Parliament has said. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/november/european-parliament-speaks- out-against-centralised-internet-control/ U.N. summit may usher in more Internet regulations A United Nations summit next week could imperil Internet freedom and lead to a deluge of intrusive new national regulations, Google and a member of the U.S. delegation warned. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57555624-38/u.n-summit-may-usher-in-more-i nternet-regulations/ Sneak Preview of the UN?s First Confab on Internet Regulation You?ve heard of Wikileaks. If you?re into the future of Internet control, regulation, and pricing, you can visit Wcitleaks, which is posting a steady stream of documents relating to the upcoming WCIT, which isn?t open to the public, and starts next week in Dubai. http://www.technologyreview.com/view/507996/sneak-preview-of-the-uns-first-c onfab-on-internet-regulation/ Unsnubbed? ICANN brass get tickets to ITU curtain-raiser ICANN?s chairman and CEO have been invited to the World Conference on International Telecommunications next week, as ?special guests? of the International Telecommunications Union. http://domainincite.com/11137-unsnubbed-icann-brass-get-tickets-to-itu-curta in-raiser U.N. Internet Conference Stirs Tech Giants Google, Facebook And Amazon Into Action [AP] An upcoming U.N. gathering about Internet oversight is raising alarms from a broad coalition of critics, including the U.S., tech giants such as Google and rights groups, concerned that changes could lead to greater efforts to censor Web content and stifle innovation in cyberspace. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/26/un-internet-conference-google-faceb ook_n_2189856.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/web-access-battles-brew-befo re-un-conference-20121126-2a3bf.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/web-access-battles-brew-b efore-un-conference-20121126-2a3bf.html Resist the Increasing Role of the United Nations in Internet Governance The ITU, a United Nations specialized agency, will host the WCIT in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 3?14. The purpose of this conference is to reach consensus among the 193 ITU member states on updating the 1988 International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) governing international telecommunications. http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/11/resist-the-increasing-role- of-the-united-nations-in-internet-governance InternetNZ concerned by ITU proposals threatening human rights and Internet economic model In a position paper published today, InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) has expressed concern about governments legitimising the suspension of Internet services that are ?contrary to its laws, to public order or to decency.? Concerns have also been expressed about a proposal that seeks to impose the legacy telecommunications economic model of ?sending party network pays? to replace the well established and proven ?accessing party pays? of the Internet. These concerns are in addition to governments seeking greater control of Internet governance and international networks. https://internetnz.net.nz/news/media-releases/2012/InternetNZ-concerned-ITU- proposals-threatening-human-rights-and-Internet-ec Dark warnings about future of internet access Every time an internet user watches Gangnam Style on YouTube, packets of digital data course through the global telecommunications system, converging on an iPhone, a tablet or a laptop. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/dark_warnings_about_future_of_internet_TNDtV KjksVZ9wUWFn5UeLO Putting fetters on the internet A careful analysis of India's pending proposal on the possible modification of the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR), ahead of a major summit to be held in Dubai in December shows the potential for a deeply concerning impact on Indian telecommunications, Internet, the ICT sector, as well as the citizens. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2239971/Putting-fette rs-internet.html in: Government seeks inputs from stakeholders ahead of Global Internet Meet The Indian government has sought suggestions from different stakeholders on the position that India should take before it begins negotiations with other countries at a global internet governance meet in Dubai this week. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/government-seek s-inputs-from-stakeholders-ahead-of-global-internet-meet/articleshow/1739537 0.cms India maintains Internet cannot be governed The Indian government has sought suggestions from different stakeholders on the position that India should take before it begins negotiations with other countries at a global internet governance meet in Dubai this week. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/india-maintains-internet-c annot-be-governed/articleshow/17391439.cms Poland against new UN internet 'censorship threat' Poland is to oppose a UN agency proposal to renegotiate an international internet treaty which critics say would threaten freedom of expression on the web. http://www.thenews.pl/1/12/Artykul/119676,Poland-against-new-UN-internet-cen sorship-threat Poland opposes UN internet regulations Representatives of 193 UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) countries will meet in Dubai in December. There, behind closed doors, they'll vote on a proposed new treaty on internet regulations, which many say would censor the web. The Polish government has said it will not support the changes http://www.wbj.pl/article-61172-poland-opposes-un-internet-regulations.html U.N. readies for protests on eve of secret Internet regulation treaty In a closed-door meeting this weekend in Dubai, the telecommunications arm of the United Nations -- the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) -- plans to seize a big role in Internet governance. http://www.zdnet.com/u-n-readies-for-protests-on-eve-of-secret-internet-regu lation-treaty-7000007962/ Will Obama Let the U.N. Seize The Internet? Free Speech: The U.N. plans to control the tool that tyrants fear most ? technology that promotes free speech and intellectual freedom ? by imposing a global tax in the name of fairness. Think of net neutrality on steroids. http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/112612-634707-united-nations-to-gra b-control-of-internet.htm Pot... Kettle... Black: The REAL Hypocrisy Threatening the Future of the Internet McTim Amongst all of the media pieces in the run up to WCIT-12 next week, few have been as counterfactual as that appearing on the website of the National Journal. The editor, Jean-Christophe Nothias clearly has very little knowledge of how Internet economics or governance works, making such uninformed statements such as "Critically, the connections between the approximately 40,000 autonomous servers at a global level are ruled by contractual agreements between operating agencies." http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121127_potkettleblack_the_real_hypocrisy_thr eatening_future_of_internet/ Conference On Who Should Govern The Internet Is On For Tomorrow In Washington & Is Being Streamed Live The ITU meeting is next month and with countries like Russia, China and India all wanting a a bigger say in the governance of the Internet, there is a conference being held tomorrow on who should govern the Internet. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/11/28/conference-on-who-should-govern-the-int ernet-is-on-for-tomorrow-in-washington-is-being-streamed-live/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN Board Forecasts Special Brand Protection To High Profile Non-Profit Organisations [ICANN news release] The ICANN Board's New gTLD Program Committee has approved two resolutions with the goal of providing interim Domain Name protections to certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs). http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19331 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/11/29/icann-board-forecasts-special-brand-pr otection-to-high-profile-non-profit-organisations/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-board-forecasts-special-brand-protection- to-high-profile-non-profit-organisations.html A Follow-Up to Our Trademark Clearinghouse Meetings by Fadi Chehad? To wrap up the series of meetings ICANN convened with stakeholders to find common ground on Trademark Clearinghouse implementation, we conducted a follow-up briefing today for the group who worked on these issues during our meetings in Brussels and Los Angeles. http://blog.icann.org/2012/11/a-follow-up-to-our-trademark-clearinghouse-mee tings/ Chehad?, Crocker Accept ITU Invitations to WCIT Opening Ceremony in Dubai Fadi Chehad?, President of ICANN, and Steve Crocker, ICANN Board Chair, have accepted invitations from International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary General Dr. Hamadoun Toure as his special guests to attend the opening ceremony of the WCIT in Dubai from 3 December 2012. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-28nov12-en.htm The TLD Application System (TAS) Reopens The TLD Application System (TAS) is reopening today, 26 November 2012 to coincide with the release of clarifying questions for geographic name applications. Applicants can access TAS to access their application data to answer Clarifying Questions (CQs). https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/1197/page/1/articles/17689 GAC Response to Elise Gerich, VP IANA and Technical Operations ... I am pleased to forward the results of the GAC?s deliberations in response to your May 7, 2012 letter seeking input from the GAC on ICANN?s position of continuing to protect all two character codes represented in ISO 3166. https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/4817665/GAC+Response+to+Elise+ Gerich.pdf Letter to the GNSO Council Chair from the GAC regarding Protections for the International Olympic Committee and Red Cross/Red Crescent Names. https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/4817665/GAC_GNSOCouncil_201211 28.pdf ICANN Security Team Members Appointed to Lead Roles in Global Community Initiatives by Patrick Jones Two senior members of ICANN?s Security Team have been appointed to lead roles on global cybersecurity and DNS security initiatives. John Crain has been appointed by the root server operators to a seat on Board of Directors for the Domain Name System Operations Analysis and Research Center (DNS-OARC), and Dave Piscitello has been nominated by the Commonwealth Cybercrime Initiative (CCI) Steering Group to serve on the Initiative?s Executive Management Group. http://blog.icann.org/2012/11/icann-security-team-members-appointed-to-lead- roles-in-global-community-initiatives/ Consultation on the IANA Customer Service Complaint Resolution Process Purpose (Brief): A consultation on establishing and implementing a Customer Service Complaint Resolution Process for the 2012 IANA functions contract http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/iana-complaint-resolution-27nov1 2-en.htm ICANN, Make a Difference: The $100 million raised by the sale of new Web domains should be used to wire Africa by Sascha Meinrath and Elliot Noss The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is little known, but it wields a tremendous amount of power: It controls all of the Web?s TLDs (those letters after the ?dot,? like .com and .org). Currently, ICANN is in the midst of creating hundreds (and possibly thousands) of new, gTLDs that span a host of different ideas, from .web to .cars to .anything_else_you_can_imagine. These new gTLDs have the potential to dramatically affect the future of Internet browsing, and they?re already stirring up some serious discussion. (Saudi Arabia, for one, doesn?t want .gay, .bible, or other dozens of other proposed domains to be approved.) But the auction process to distribute them also has the potential for even greater impact than currently envisioned. http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/11/icann_s_gtld_a uction_proceeds_should_be_used_to_bring_mesh_technologies.html You Got a Better Idea? ICANN is the worst solution to Internet governance, except for all the alternatives by Jonathan Koppell There?s an old saw about the weather: ?Everyone complains about it, but no one ever does anything about it.? The same might be said about ICANN. http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/11/itu_dubai_summ it_why_icann_is_still_the_best_option_for_internet_governance.html "Objection, Your Honour!" by Jean Guillon Big news! The official website of the ICANN Independent Objector is now online. Another piece of good news announced at the same time is that the site will also offer a French version, which was under construction at the time. More than a month later, the French version is still under construction. Do we have to wait for eternity? While this situation may not seem critically important on the surface, it must in fact be taken very seriously because it is symptomatic of a far deeper problem. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121127_objection_your_honour/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** ca: Porn-site prankster didn't break rules, says Internet authority The person who redirected an anti-prostitution campaign website to a porn site did not break any laws, according to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CRIA). http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2012/11/22/20378226.html CIRA Hits Two Million Mark for .CA Domains The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) reported it has crossed the two million mark for registered .CA Internet domain names. http://www.digitalhome.ca/2012/11/cira-hits-two-million-mark-for-ca-domains/ ICA To DOC: Slash .Com Pricing by $2+, and Tie Future Price Hikes to CPI by Philip Corwin In the past two years VeriSign has bestowed ?special dividends? on its shareholders totaling nearly $1 billion, still has a cash pile exceeding $1.4 billion, and has so little need for all that cash that it is planning to spend more than half of it on stock buybacks. Meanwhile, under the .Com registry operations renewal Agreement already okayed by ICANN, it stands to reap more than $1.2 billion in above-market rate excess profits over the next six years. Nice monopoly work if you can get it. http://internetcommerce.org/SlashDotComPricing SWITCH, .CH Registry, Celebrates 25th Anniversary The SWITCH Foundation, operator of the registry for .CH (Switzerland) domain names, celebrated its 25th anniversary last week. To commemorate the anniversary, SWITCH have had a look back at its 25 years and looked at what it has achieved, and also looked at the future. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19304 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/11/26/switch-25th-anniversary/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/switch-ch-registry-celebrates-25th-anniversary. html Domain name protection in Thailand The purpose of this article is to acquaint readers with domain name basics and general requirements for the registration of domain names using the ".co.th" ccTLD. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6f585c4a-9b96-494d-994c-388dbb 26bb43 ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Europe rejects ICANN?s authority as it warns of problems with 58 new gTLDs The European Commission has issued a list of 58 new gTLD applications it considers problematic, thumbing its nose at ICANN?s procedures for handling government objections to new gTLDs. http://domainincite.com/11130-europe-rejects-icanns-authority-as-it-warns-of -problems-with-58-new-gtlds Trademark Clearinghouse fees to be capped at $150 Submitting your trademarks to ICANN?s forthcoming Trademark Clearinghouse will cost a maximum of $150 per mark, according to ICANN CEO Fadi Chehade. http://domainincite.com/11121-trademark-clearinghouse-fees-to-be-capped-at-1 50 ICANN massively expands the reserved domains list for new gTLDs ICANN?s board of directors has given the Olympic and Red Cross brands ? along with those of a batch of intergovernmental organizations ? special second-level protection in new gTLDs. http://domainincite.com/11146-icann-massively-expands-the-reserved-domains-l ist-for-new-gtlds Announcement on tap about which new TLDs will get priority treatment in ICANN?s Powerball Fortunately for new TLD applicants, the chances of getting a top spot in December?s TLD ?prioritization draw? are much better than winning tonight?s $550 million Powerball lottery. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/11/28/announcement-on-tap-about-which-new-tld s-will-get-priority-treatment-in-icanns-powerball/ ICANN extends protections to Red Cross, Olympics, and IGOs ICANN Board?s New gTLD Program Committee has approved two resolutions granting added domain name protections at the second level to the Red Cross, Red Crescent, and the International Olympic Committee, and lays the framework for protecting IGO names and acronyms. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/11/28/icann-extends-protections-to-red-cross- olympics-and-igos/ Governments raise concerns about some applications for new 'top level' domains Governments across the world have taken issue with a number of the applications for new gTLDs, claiming that some companies that seek to control the registration of web addresses at the new domains should not be allowed to do so. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/november/governments-raise-concerns- about-some-applications-for-new-top-level-domains/ Africa vs. Africa: The GAC Early Warnings on New gTLD Applications Indicate an Africa Divided by Katim S. Touray Last week, the much-anticipated Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Early Warnings on new gTLD applications were finally issued. And the GAC didn't disappoint. A total of 242 warnings were issued on 163 strings (including 31 strings applied for by Radix). The GAC warnings yet again show that Africa is perfectly capable of being at the top of league tables -- for the wrong reasons. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121127_africa_vs_africa_gac_early_warnings_o n_new_gtld_applications/ Book review: Domain Names Rewired Before reading Domain Names Rewired, a new book by Jennifer Wolfe and Anne Chasser, I knew I was going to have two challenges with the book. First, I knew I?d disagree with many of the supposed benefits of new TLDs that the authors would espouse. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/11/27/book-review-domain-names-rewired/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Seized .eu, .be counterfeiting domains now pointing to US government servers At least three of the European domain names seized in this year?s batch of Cyber Monday anti-counterfeiting law enforcement are now pointing to servers controlled by the US government. http://domainincite.com/11126-seized-eu-be-counterfeiting-domains-now-pointi ng-to-us-government-servers Increasing use of .eu domains in cyberattacks Cybercriminals are increasingly using .eu domain names in their attack campaigns, according to data from multiple security companies. http://www.techcentral.ie/20379/increasing-use-of-eu-domains-in-cyberattacks Go Daddy Attributes DNS Hack to Phishing A spokesman at Go Daddy, the popular domain registrar and Web host company, believes that some of its users may have been phished ? and that?s to blame for the barrage of ransomware some customers have been seeing in past week or so. http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/go-daddy-attributes-dns-hack-phishing-1127 12 Google?s Romanian Domain Gets Taken Down By Algerian Hacker MCA-CRB? Looks like Pakistan is not the only place where major internet companies? domain names can get hacked. This morning, google.ro, was taken over by ?Algerian Hacker? MCA-CRB. http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/27/googles-romanian-domain-gets-taken-down-by- algerian-hacker-mca-crb/ Attackers hijack the .ro domains of Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, others [IDG] The Romanian domain names of Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Kaspersky Lab and other companies were hijacked on Wednesday and were redirected to a hacked server in the Netherlands. http://www.csoonline.com/article/722536/attackers-hijack-the-.ro-domains-of- google-microsoft-yahoo-others Google, Microsoft, PayPal, other Romanian sites hijacked by DNS hackers Romanian websites for Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, PayPal, and other operators were briefly redirected to a rogue server on Wednesday. The redirect is most likely a result of a decade-old hacking technique that underscores the fragility of the Internet's routing system. http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/11/google-microsoft-paypal-other-romani an-sites-hijacked-by-dns-hackers/ Attack on Romanian TLD Register led to Google, Yahoo Defacements and DNS Redirects DNS hijacking attacks carried out today against the home pages of Google, Yahoo and other high-profile sites in Romania have been traced to an attack on the Romanian TLD Register, researchers at Kaspersky Lab said. http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/update-attack-romanian-tld-register-led-go ogle-yahoo-defacements-and-dns-redirects-112812 DNS servers filled with wrong Kool-Aid, big names waylaid in Romania A hacker today redirected web surfers looking for Yahoo, Microsoft or Google to a page showing a TV test card by apparently poisoning Google's public DNS system. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/28/google_romania_dns_hack/ Internet Scam from DNS Services Sends Solicitation That Looks Like an Invoice I've worked as a web developer for 15 years and I've seen a lot of scams related to domain names. At least a couple times a month, one of my clients will forward an e-mail to me with some sort of "request to verify domain name" or "domain name registry" service. Scams like that are pretty commonplace. These services lure you in by being technical enough to be confusing, but legit enough looking to make a person think it's real. Today, however, I got a new one. A customer scanned an "invoice" he received from DNS Services for $65. http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/11/internet_scam_from_dns_servi ce.php European Commission supports research on Cyber security Cybercrime is a growing global problem that no company or country can tackle alone. At any given time, an estimated 150 000 viruses and other types of malicious code are circulating across the internet, infecting more than a million people every day. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-899_en.htm ?Cooperation is key for Europe?s cyber security? ? Conclusion of ENISA Brussels event (27/11) A high-level event organised by Europe?s cyber security agency, ENISA recognised closer cyber cooperation and mutual support as key factors for boosting cyber security for Europe?s citizens, governments and businesses. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/cooperation-is-key-for-europ es-cyber-security-conclusion-of-enisa-brussels-event-27-11 EU plans to implement mandatory cyber incident reporting To improve cyber security, the EU is considering making it mandatory for businesses to report cyber attacks. Although a big supporter of self regulation, Neelie Kroes, the EU Commissioner for the Digital Agenda for Europe, toldS?ddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that she did not think there would be much progress with it in this case. http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/EU-plans-to-implement-mandatory-c yber-incident-reporting-1756784.html EU's Cybersecurity Budget Up 14% [IDG] Despite vowing that fighting cybercrime is high on its agenda, the European Commission increased its planned cybersecurity budget by just 14 percent through 2020, an amount one security expert referred to as "paltry." http://www.cio.com/article/722331/EU_39_s_Cybersecurity_Budget_Up_14_ US military train in cyber-city to prepare hack defence A miniature "cyber-city" has been created in New Jersey, complete with a bank, hospital, water-tower, train system, power grid and a coffee shop. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20525545 PIR Survey Reveals That Most Americans Are Uninformed About DDoS Attacks [news release] Whether motivated by an extreme form of free expression or criminal intent, distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS attacks) are increasingly commonplace worldwide. http://pir.org/pr/2012/ddos Evolving DDoS Attacks Force Defenders To Adapt In the past, attackers using distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to take down websites or network servers typically adopted one of two tactics: flooding the site with a deluge of data, or overwhelming an application server with seemingly valid requests. http://www.darkreading.com/security-services/167801101/security/perimeter-se curity/240142616/evolving-ddos-attacks-force-defenders-to-adapt.html How Best to Respond to DDoS Attacks The recent wave of DDoS attacks against top U.S. banks is a wake-up call for organizations that are ill-prepared to fight against such an attack, says Matthew Scholl, deputy chief of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's computer security division. http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/how-best-to-respond-to-ddos-attacks-a-5283 Bank DDoS Strikes Could Presage Armageddon Attacks Individual distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks could soon take down not just one site, but any intervening service providers. http://www.informationweek.com/security/cybercrime/bank-ddos-strikes-could-p resage-armagedd/240142631 91% of cyberattacks begin with spear phishing email [Computerworld UK] Some 91% of cyberattacks begin with a "spear phishing" email, according to research from security software firm Trend Micro. http://news.techworld.com/security/3413574/91-of-cyberattacks-begin-with-spe ar-phishing-email/ au: The new cybercrime regime In brief: The Federal Government has introduced amendments to Australia's telecommunications regulatory regime that will facilitate Australia's accession to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. Partner Ian McGill, Senior Associate Valeska Bloch and Lawyer Matthew Tracey examine the impact of these amendments. http://www.allens.com.au/pubs/cmt/fotmt27nov12.htm Australia's biggest ever data theft: gang busted over credit card crime Police have smashed a Romanian organised crime gang that allegedly hacked into the computer systems of small businesses, with credit card details of 30,000 Australians used in $30 million worth of illegal transactions around the world. http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/security-it/australias-biggest-ever-data-the ft-gang-busted-over-credit-card-crime-20121129-2agzy.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** ru: Court Ruling Amps Up Pressure on Internet Providers to Block Content A recent Supreme Court decision increases pressure on Internet providers to block websites without direct state interference, lawyers said Friday. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/court-ruling-ramps-up-pressure-on -internet-providers-to-block-content/471898.html ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** IPv6: A 2012 Report Card by Yves Poppe The Gogonet Live conference in San Jose witnessed outstanding presentations by several federal administrations including Veteran Affairs, NASA and SPAWAR, sharing their experience and progress towards IPv6 adoption. Furthermore, the NIST compliance report leaves no agency any place to hide. The report card is there for everybody to see. In spite of regular jabs and criticisms, the US Federal Government has done a remarkable job. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121128_ipv6_a_2012_report_card/ U.S. Government Progress on IPv6 Deployment The United States government has been striving to deploy IPv6 for many years. October 1st was the date that the government wanted to have functional IPv6-enabled Internet applications. http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/81854 IPv6: What is it and why should you care Discussions on IPv6 (read: IP Version 6) are hot in India now that Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN), a division of the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), has started issuing this next version of internet addresses. IRINN is currently offering these addresses for Rs 21,999, which is 60 per cent less from the existing A$1180 (or Rs 68,440) in the Asia Pacific region. http://www.ciol.com/ciol/features/122510/ipv6-what-care New version of Internet addresses available in India [PTI] Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN) has started issuing next version of Internet addresses 'IPv6', which would make it easy for security agencies to identify each Internet user. http://post.jagran.com/new-version-of-internet-addresses-available-in-india- 1353989339 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-27/internet/35386560_1_i pv6-ipv4-addresses India starts issuing of IPv6 addresses The Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN) has begun issuing IPv6 addresses, and is doing so at a 60 percent discount during the soft launch. http://www.zdnet.com/in/india-starts-issuing-of-ipv6-addresses-7000007932/ Government to come up with latest version of net addresses to combat cyber crime The government plans to combat cyber crime more effectively with the Indian Registry for Internet Names & Numbers (IRINN) stepping up the process of allocating the latest version of internet addresses, popularly known as IPv6, in the country. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/government-to-come-up-with -latest-version-of-net-addresses-to-combat-cyber-crime/articleshow/17394621. cms M'sia public sector to be IPv6-ready by end-2013 Malaysian government agencies will be prepared for new Internet protocol by end of next year while private sector will be ready by 2015. http://www.zdnet.com/my/msia-public-sector-to-be-ipv6-ready-by-end-2013-7000 008021/ my: Public sector to be IPV6-ready by end of 2013 By the end of next year, all public sectors are expected to be IPv6-ready (Internet Protocol version 6) to replace the IPv4 (version 4) Internet addresses which has been depleted. http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v6/newsindex.php?id=712184 http://www.mysinchew.com/node/80322 ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** European And US Law Enforcement Agencies Seize 132 Domains Selling Counterfeit Merchandise European and US law enforcement agencies have taken action against domain names involved in the selling of counterfeit goods, seizing 133 domains, arresting one person in the US and seizing $175,000. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19305 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/11/27/european-us-law-enforcement-seize-132- domains/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/european-and-us-law-enforcement-agencies-seize- 132-domains-selling-counterfeit-merchandise.html us: Feds seize 101 domains for counterfeiting in ?Cyber Monday? operation Dozens of domains were seized on Monday in a coordinated raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its counterparts in several European nations. American officials seized 101 domain names, while the Europeans seized 31. The domains were allegedly used for the distribution of counterfeit goods. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/11/feds-seize-101-domains-for-counte rfeiting-in-cyber-monday-operation/ Websites selling counterfeit merchandise taken down by authorities in Europe and the USA U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the European Police Office (Europol) seized 133 domain names today that were illegally selling counterfeit merchandise online to unsuspecting consumers. For the US 1 person was arrested and $175.000 seized. https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/press/websites-selling-counterfeit-mer chandise-taken-down-authorities-europe-and-usa-1855 ICE, European law enforcement agencies and Europol seize 132 domain names selling counterfeit merchandise in 'Project Cyber Monday 3' and 'Project Transatlantic' operations U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), law enforcement agencies from Belgium, Denmark, France, Romania and the United Kingdom, and the European Police Office (Europol) seized 132 domain names today that were illegally selling counterfeit merchandise online to unsuspecting consumers. http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1211/121126washingtondc.htm Upstate New York man arrested, 15 websites seized as part of global crackdown on 'Cyber Monday' [news release] An upstate New York man was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with trafficking in counterfeit goods. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine. In addition, 15 websites allegedly selling counterfeit sporting merchandise were seized by federal law enforcement agents. http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1211/121126buffalo.htm US & EU celebrate 'Cyber Monday' by seizing 132 websites Law-enforcement authorities in the US and the European Union celebrated "Cyber Monday" ? the internet's shopping-frenzy equivalent to brick-and-mortar stores' Black Friday ? by shuttering 132 websites for selling counterfeit merchandise. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/27/websites_seized_for_selling_counterf eit_goods/ BitTorrent Site Owners Fear European Domain Name Seizures A new round of domain name seizures targeted at retailers of counterfeit goods has operators of BitTorrent sites worried. For the first time a large-scale operation has seized not only U.S. domains, but also several European-controlled domains too. The general belief among a group of BitTorrent site owners is that the takedowns are a test case for an international effort targeted at file-sharing and streaming related sites. http://torrentfreak.com/bittorrent-site-owners-fear-european-domain-seizures -121127/ The untold history of the Internet by Martin Geddes What if our basic assumptions about networking are wrong? Could we unknowingly be living in a networking 'dark ages'? Are there hidden risks in deploying fibre and more capacity? Industry consultant Martin Geddes tells us the untold history of the Internet, and the unfortunate design errors now baked into every network router. https://internetnz.net.nz/news/blog/2012/Invitation-untold-history-Internet- Martin-Geddes Melbourne IT may sell off businesses as ICANN delays hit bottom line Melbourne IT is looking into selling some of its business units after warning the Australian markets today that 2012 profit is likely to come in below 2011 levels. http://domainincite.com/11110-melbourne-it-may-sell-off-businesses-as-icann- delays-hit-bottom-line Melbourne IT looks to sell business divisions amidst growing competition Web hosting company Melbourne IT has found itself in financial difficulty and is looking to sell off parts of the organisation. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/442875/melbourne_it_looks_sell_busin ess_divisions_amidst_growing_competition/ Melbourne IT shares slide on forecast SHARES in Melbourne IT fell more than 10 per cent after the company warned of lower earnings, delays on its transformation plans and flagged the sale of some assets. http://www.smh.com.au/business/melbourne-it-shares-slide-on-forecast-2012112 6-2a3j1.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** DotBuyer: New Domain Name Marketplace Opens Up Opportunities For Internet Business [news release] Kikabink International Pty Ltd (Kikabink) has launched DotBuyer, a marketplace for businesses to buy and sell Internet domain names and websites. http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/11/28/new-domain-name-marketplace-opens/ New Domain Sales Platform at DotBuyer.com Targets End Users With Pricing Guidance and Quality Names There are a lot of well established domain sales venues out there so you might not think there is a need for any more. Certainly any new players in that competitive space would have to offer something different to gain a toe hold in the market. With a new sales platform at DotBuyer.com, Australia based Kikabink International Pty Ltd. thinks they have come up with just the kind of twist needed to stand out in the crowd. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20121127.htm Go Daddy to auction .info ?sunrise pending reallocation? domains Domain name registry Afilias is working with Go daddy to auction off over 100 domain names claimed in the .info sunrise that were later deemed ineligible. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/11/28/go-daddy-to-auction-info-sunrise-pendin g-reallocation-domains/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Hundreds of websites urging girls to 'starve for perfection' Teenage girls are becoming involved in dangerous games of competitive dieting thanks to the proliferation of pro-anorexia websites. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/hund reds-of-websites-urging-girls-to-starve-for-perfection-8360545.html Britons find love ? and sex ? online in booming ?170m dating market It may not be quite what George Osborne had in mind to boost the economy, but the UK is leading the way in the "march of the daters" as more than 9 million Britons log on to find love and sex. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/nov/26/nine-million-britons-use- online-dating Vampires and Kim Kardashian beat Obama in 2012 Yahoo!7 Search [news release] Yahoo!7 today released its annual search trend data for 2012 revealing some of the curious search habits of Australians. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19312 Increase in sleep deprivation linked to tablet use Your tablet computer, smartphone or other mobile device could be the reason you are not sleeping - and the ubiquitous devices are being cited as a possible cause for a 50% jump in the number of young people scoffing sleeping pills. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/increase-in-sleep-deprivation-linked-tablet- use-5247132 Pill popping may be linked smartphones - doctor Your tablet computer, smartphone or other mobile device could be the reason you are not sleeping - and the ubiquitous devices are being cited as a possible cause for a 50 per cent jump in the number of young people scoffing sleeping pills. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/8011368/Pill-popping-may-be -linked-smartphones-doctor http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/8011330/Pills-for-tablet-users ********************** SOCIAL MEDIA ********************** Facebook debunks viral hoax that it owns users' content Following a hoax post that went viral, Facebook has reassured its users that they, not the company, own the copyright to the content they post on the social network. http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-facebook-copyright-hoax- 20121126,0,3384882.story 'New Facebook Guidelines' Chain Letter About Copyright Laws Still A Hoax Users who've logged onto Facebook in the last 24 hours may have seen friends posting a message about "New Facebook Guidelines." The message urges others to copy and paste the post, lest the company use their content for commercial use without their permission. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/26/new-facebook-guidelines-chain-lette r-hoax_n_2192673.html You Can Stop Spreading That Facebook Notice Now For the last couple of days, my Facebook timeline, and probably yours, has been filled with repetitions of a peculiar piece of boilerplate text, from all kinds of friends. It goes something like this: http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/you-can-stop-spreading-that-facebo ok-notice-now/ Don?t fall for the Facebook privacy notice hoax Have you posted the notice to your Facebook timeline to proclaim your copyright ownership of all content? Have you seen others from your social network posting such a notice? If you haven?t already, don?t bother. It?s a hoax. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2016911/don-t-fall-for-the-facebook-privacy-n otice-hoax.html Facebook privacy chain letter resurfaces Hoaxes are hard things to put down ? particularly when they seem to offer something that people want. to hear. Such is the case with the latest Facebook hoax, actually a rehash of one that cropped up in June, that claims users can change their copyright rights by simply posting a status message. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/facebook-privacy-chain-let ter-resurfaces/2012/11/26/8c27bd94-3801-11e2-8a97-363b0f9a0ab3_story.html Privacy groups call for Facebook changes U-turn Two US privacy groups have asked Facebook to reconsider proposed changes to its terms of service that they say violate commitments to protect users. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20509264 Two consumer groups urge Facebook to back off privacy changes Two consumer watchdogs are urging Facebook founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg to back off proposed changes to its policies that they say would curb the rights of its 1 billion-plus users and make more personal information available to advertisers without users' explicit consent in violation of a privacy settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-two-consumer-groups-urge -facebook-to-back-off-privacy-changes-20121126,0,5583442.story Privacy groups ask Facebook to withdraw proposed policy changes Two privacy advocacy groups urged Facebook Inc on Monday to withdraw proposed changes to its terms of service that would allow the company to share user data with recently acquired photo-application Instagram, eliminate a user voting system and loosen email restrictions within the social network. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/11/27/facebook-privacy-data-idINDEE8AQ01B 20121127 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/27/uk-facebook-privacy-idUKBRE8AQ03Y20 121127 Facebook Users Will In Fact Vote On If They?ll Lose The Ability To Vote, Other Privacy Changes Denounced By EPIC 17,800 Facebook users have commented on proposed changes to Facebook?s governing documents, enough to trigger a vote on whether they?ll go into effect. Today the Electronic Privacy Information Center asked Mark Zuckerberg to withdraw the proposal to combine user data from Facebook and Instagram, and eliminate the same right to vote that users will assert in a 7-day period starting soon. http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/26/facebook-governance-vote/ New Facebook policy conflicts with European law, concerns privacy advocates Parts of Facebook?s proposed new privacy policy conflict with European law, a key regulator said Friday as he moved to give users in the European Union more power to block the sharing of their data with the company?s affiliates such as Instagram. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/european-regulator-calls-f or-changes-to-new-facebook-privacy-policy/2012/11/23/2e968144-359d-11e2-9cfa -e41bac906cc9_story.html Google Forcing Reviewers to Use Real Names If you want to cheer or jeer for an app in the Google Play store, you'll have to do it with your real name from now on. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2017186/google-forcing-reviewers-to-use-real- names.html http://www.cio.com/article/722419/Google_Forcing_Reviewers_to_Use_Real_Names ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** eu: How do you think the world will look like in 2050? [news release] Do you want to create your own vision of how the world will look like in 2050? Would you like to read other people's visions and vote on how desirable and likely they are to happen? Do you want to develop ideas for policies that underpin these visions? Or you like to support an idea and vote its probable impact. Would you want to link scientific evidence to your visions and policy ideas and announce events? Then join Futurium to animate debates on fascinating futures. http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=9 100 Microsoft gets patent on augmented reality glasses as 'AR wars' start Microsoft has been given a patent on "augmented reality" (AR) glasses that would enhance sports and other live events with streams of information beamed directly in front of the user ? even including action replays and lyrics of songs. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/nov/27/microsoft-augmented-reality -glass-google-apple ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* nz: Test urged before kids use phones at school A visiting cyber-bullying expert is urging New Zealand schools to make students take driver licence-style tests before they can take mobile phones and tablets to class. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/internet/news/article.cfm?c_id=137&objectid=108501 72 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10850172 nz: Cyber-bullying agency will need offshore relationships Relationship building is being seen as a key factor for an anti cyber-bullying agency to work in New Zealand. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/1509598459-cyber-bullying-ag ency-will-need-offshore-relationships nz: iPad use in pre-schools sparks call for guidelines The growing number of children using iPads at preschools has prompted a call for educators to develop clear guidelines on using the devices safely. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=108501 08 Pupils' mobile devices test proposed A visiting cyber-bullying expert is urging New Zealand schools to make pupils take driver's licence-style tests before they can take mobile phones and tablets to class. http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/236682/pupils-mobile-devices-test-propose d Kiwis' right to be idiots important - Collins Justice Minister Judith Collins says it is important that Kiwis retain the right to be idiots and make fools of themselves. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/8003814/Kiwis-right-to-be-i diots-important-Collins nz: Judith Collins - Speech notes to NetSafe NZ Conference 2012 Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today ? it?s great to here. I?d like to start by acknowledging NetSafe NZ and the terrific work it does to promote confident, safe and responsible use of online technologies. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-notes-netsafe-nz-conference-2012 nz: Call to train teachers on cyberbullies Admitting to being the victim of cyber-bullying can be the worst thing you can do in some schools, an education researcher says. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/technology/8005925/Call-to-train-teachers-o n-cyberbullies http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/call-train-teachers-cyberbullies-5243423 Cyber-bullying: education and narrow focus critical [news release] InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is calling for education and a narrow focus on cyber-bullying as Government considers the Law Commission?s recent Ministerial Briefing, ?Harmful Digital Communications: The adequacy of the current sanctions and remedies?. https://internetnz.net.nz/news/media-releases/2012/Cyber-bullying-education- and-narrow-focus-critical Parents urged to intervene in teens? online life ... Meanwhile, in New Zealand another conference has drawn attention to the escalation of cyberbullying with the appearance of new anonymous sites that invite students at particular schools to come forward with graphic confessions about other students and teachers. More than 100 cyber experts registered for the conference in Wellington which was organised by internet safety group NetSafe to investigate issues of cyberbullying, online privacy, and human rights. http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/11539 Online angels can make the web a safe place for troubled teens Recently, a 15-year-old named Kylie tweeted her suicidal thoughts, and a Twitter account called §KillYourselfKylie tweeted back a series of ugly responses. These included ''We have 3 b----es who should cut and drink bleach'' and ''I think i just made someone cut herself yayayyyy'' and ''We hate you just die''. That last note was followed by a list of six first names - apparently teenagers who knew Kylie. http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/online-angels-can-make-the -web-a-safe-place-for-troubled-teens-20121127-2a5pj.html au: Our web-addict kids miss meals and sleep ONE in five Aussie kids spend so much time surfing the internet that they miss out on meals and sleep, a study shows. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/our-web-addict-kids-miss-meals-an d-sleep/story-e6frf00i-1226525213391 ********************** ONLINE TV, MUSIC & PIRACY ********************** Smart TVs ... dumb use: study Global sales of Internet-connected smart TVs are set to soar to 220 million in 2017, but more than half of the owners of these sets will continue to use them the same way they used older unconnected devices, a study has found. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/smart_tvs_dumb_use_study_5vB6myy9LkhFWfy9q1j PCL Canada preparing for major crackdown on Bittorrent movie pirates [Postmedia News] If you?re watching an illegally downloaded movie, someone could be watching you. http://o.canada.com/2012/11/27/canada-preparing-for-major-crackdown-on-bitto rrent-movie-pirates/ http://www.globalmontreal.com/canada+prepares+for+crackdown+on+bittorrent+mo vie+pirates/6442761468/story.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Study Finds Rise in Texting Even as Revenue Drops A new report finds that certain activities that people do on a cellphone, like taking a picture and shooting video, have increased significantly in the last few years. Texting, in particular, has grown considerably ? but not texting in the traditional sense. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/pew-internet-study-texting/ Samsung unearths illegal work practices at Chinese suppliers Samsung Electronics admits it has found illegal work practices in an audit of 105 of its Chinese suppliers ? but it has given the companies two more years to eliminate it. The audit of 65,000 employees follows accusations by China Labor Watch, an independent labour rights group based in New York, which alleged in August that Samsung suppliers hired children and used "inhumane" working conditions, and in September that there was illegal discrimination in hiring polices at some Samsung suppliers. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/nov/26/samsung-illegal-china-suppl iers Samsung criticized for long work hours at supplier factories in China [IDG] Despite Samsung Electronics' efforts to rectify labor violations at its factories in China, little has changed for some workers. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2017185/samsung-criticized-for-long-work-hour s-at-supplier-factories-in-china.html In China, 25 Million People Use Only Their Cell Phones to Read Books On vacation in China earlier this month, I stopped by Shanghai's seven-story downtown "Book City," bustling with activity on a weekday afternoon that, as a publisher, I found exceptionally gratifying. Perusing the ground floor front tables I saw stacks of copies in Chinese reflecting the multiple interests Chinese readers have in American themes. Days after the U.S. elections, books about Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were featured. I noted a translation of George W. Bush's presidential memoir, Decision Points, and Henry Kissinger's recent bestseller, On China. Whether any of these were "adapted" (i.e., censored) for the Chinese audience, I can't say, but they were certainly prominently available. Basketball biographies are clearly big sellers, including Linsanity, about Jeremy Lin, last season's Taiwanese-American star for the New York Knicks. And a book by Harvard medical school professors, Positive Psychology, was billed as "cracking the secret of happiness." http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/11/in-china-25-million-pe ople-use-only-their-cell-phones-to-read-books/265622/ Nokia seeks Blackberry sales bans after patent dispute Nokia has asked courts in the US, UK and Canada to block sales of rival Blackberry smartphones. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20523377 ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Skype says scam calls on a steady decline [IDG] Skype has been battling wily adversaries who are abusing the Internet calling application to direct people to scam websites, but the Microsoft-owned service says the sham calls are decreasing. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9233999/Skype_says_scam_calls_on_a_st eady_decline Chinese Cyberespionage Tool Updated For Traditional Cybercrime In yet another example of the inevitable intersection between cyberespionage and cybercrime, an infamous cyberspying tool out of China has been upgraded and used in targeted attacks for financial gain, not pure cyberespionage. http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/attacks-breac hes/240142646/chinese-cyberespionage-tool-updated-for-traditional-cybercrime .html Philippines sets up unit to investigate cybercrime violators Country's National Bureau of Investigation to set up computer crime unit to aid investigators in determining and taking legal action if citizens violate Cybercrime Act of 2012. http://www.zdnet.com/ph/philippines-sets-up-unit-to-investigate-cybercrime-v iolators-7000007938/ nz: Warning over online trading site Drugs, alcohol and cigarettes are among items being 'swapped' for goods advertised for sale on the internet. http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/236757/warning-over-online-trading-site http://www.starcanterbury.co.nz/news/online-auction-link-to-drugs/1639194/ ********************** SECURITY ********************** European Commission supports research on Cyber security Cybercrime is a growing global problem that no company or country can tackle alone. At any given time, an estimated 150 000 viruses and other types of malicious code are circulating across the internet, infecting more than a million people every day. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-899_en.htm ?Cooperation is key for Europe?s cyber security? ? Conclusion of ENISA Brussels event (27/11) A high-level event organised by Europe?s cyber security agency, ENISA recognised closer cyber cooperation and mutual support as key factors for boosting cyber security for Europe?s citizens, governments and businesses. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/cooperation-is-key-for-europ es-cyber-security-conclusion-of-enisa-brussels-event-27-11 EU plans to implement mandatory cyber incident reporting To improve cyber security, the EU is considering making it mandatory for businesses to report cyber attacks. Although a big supporter of self regulation, Neelie Kroes, the EU Commissioner for the Digital Agenda for Europe, toldS?ddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that she did not think there would be much progress with it in this case. http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/EU-plans-to-implement-mandatory-c yber-incident-reporting-1756784.html EU's Cybersecurity Budget Up 14% [IDG] Despite vowing that fighting cybercrime is high on its agenda, the European Commission increased its planned cybersecurity budget by just 14 percent through 2020, an amount one security expert referred to as "paltry." http://www.cio.com/article/722331/EU_39_s_Cybersecurity_Budget_Up_14_ US military train in cyber-city to prepare hack defence A miniature "cyber-city" has been created in New Jersey, complete with a bank, hospital, water-tower, train system, power grid and a coffee shop. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20525545 PIR Survey Reveals That Most Americans Are Uninformed About DDoS Attacks [news release] Whether motivated by an extreme form of free expression or criminal intent, distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS attacks) are increasingly commonplace worldwide. http://pir.org/pr/2012/ddos Evolving DDoS Attacks Force Defenders To Adapt In the past, attackers using distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to take down websites or network servers typically adopted one of two tactics: flooding the site with a deluge of data, or overwhelming an application server with seemingly valid requests. http://www.darkreading.com/security-services/167801101/security/perimeter-se curity/240142616/evolving-ddos-attacks-force-defenders-to-adapt.html How Best to Respond to DDoS Attacks The recent wave of DDoS attacks against top U.S. banks is a wake-up call for organizations that are ill-prepared to fight against such an attack, says Matthew Scholl, deputy chief of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's computer security division. http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/how-best-to-respond-to-ddos-attacks-a-5283 Bank DDoS Strikes Could Presage Armageddon Attacks Individual distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks could soon take down not just one site, but any intervening service providers. http://www.informationweek.com/security/cybercrime/bank-ddos-strikes-could-p resage-armagedd/240142631 91% of cyberattacks begin with spear phishing email [Computerworld UK] Some 91% of cyberattacks begin with a "spear phishing" email, according to research from security software firm Trend Micro. http://news.techworld.com/security/3413574/91-of-cyberattacks-begin-with-spe ar-phishing-email/ au: The new cybercrime regime In brief: The Federal Government has introduced amendments to Australia's telecommunications regulatory regime that will facilitate Australia's accession to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. Partner Ian McGill, Senior Associate Valeska Bloch and Lawyer Matthew Tracey examine the impact of these amendments. http://www.allens.com.au/pubs/cmt/fotmt27nov12.htm Australia's biggest ever data theft: gang busted over credit card crime Police have smashed a Romanian organised crime gang that allegedly hacked into the computer systems of small businesses, with credit card details of 30,000 Australians used in $30 million worth of illegal transactions around the world. http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/security-it/australias-biggest-ever-data-the ft-gang-busted-over-credit-card-crime-20121129-2agzy.html ********************** PRIVACY ********************** nz: Privacy Commissioner labels 2012 the year of the data breach A clutch of serious events, particularly to do with unintentional release of government-held information, have led privacy commissioner Marie Shroff to label 2012 ?the year of the data breach?, in her annual report released yesterday. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/privacy-commissioner-labels-2012-th e-year-of-the-data-breach ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** ru: Court Ruling Amps Up Pressure on Internet Providers to Block Content A recent Supreme Court decision increases pressure on Internet providers to block websites without direct state interference, lawyers said Friday. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/court-ruling-ramps-up-pressure-on -internet-providers-to-block-content/471898.html Tajikistan blocks Facebook access to silence critics Tajikistan has blocked access to Facebook in response to a slew of comments spreading "mud and slander" about veteran President Imomali Rakhmon and officials in the Central Asian republic. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/11/27/tajikistan-facebook-idINDEE8AQ08D20 121127 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/27/uk-tajikistan-facebook-idUKBRE8AQ0K 120121127 Tougher UAE Internet dissent law shuts door to free speech - HRW The United Arab Emirates has "effectively closed the country's remaining forum for free speech" with a decree issued earlier this month that tightened the law on online dissent, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/28/uk-emirates-cybercrime-rights-idUKB RE8AR16N20121128 ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** EU countries should adopt UK's business-friendly approach to 'big data' and anonymisation, says expert OPINION: The UK's privacy watchdog has taken a major step towards enabling businesses to reap greater rewards from 'big data' processing, but conflicting views within the EU threaten that pragmatic approach. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/november/eu-countries-should-adopt-u ks-business-friendly-approach-to-big-data-and-anonymisation-says-expert/ Google launches petition against German 'link tax' proposals Google has kicked off a campaign against a proposed German law that would force search engine providers to pay copyright fees every time they return a news article in their results. http://www.zdnet.com/google-launches-petition-against-german-link-tax-propos als-7000007953/ German lawmakers condemn Google campaign against copyright law Senior German politicians have denounced as propaganda a campaign by Google to mobilise public opinion against proposed legislation to let publishers charge search engines for displaying newspaper articles. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/28/uk-germany-google-idUKBRE8AR0UF2012 1128 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/11/28/germany-google-idINDEE8AR0A22012112 8 Google launches campaign in Germany against proposed law that could establish fees for content [AP] Google is launching a new campaign in Germany to protest against possible copyright restrictions being discussed in the country?s Parliament. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/google-launches-campaign-in-germany-a gainst-proposed-law-that-could-establish-fees-for-content/2012/11/27/3f483ee e-387f-11e2-9258-ac7c78d5c680_story.html Italian tax police probe Google Italy again Italian police launched a new tax probe into Google Italy this week after earlier investigations found the group had failed to declare income and still owed sales tax, an economy ministry document showed on Wednesday. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/11/28/google-italy-probe-idINDEE8AR0BJ201 21128 InternetNZ sees censorship, economic threats in UN power grab In a new position paper published today, InternetNZ has expressed concern about governments legitimising the suspension of internet services that are ?contrary to its laws, to public order or to decency.? http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/internet-nz-sees-censorship-economic-threats-un -power-grab-ck-132989 InternetNZ publishes paper on ITR review In a position paper, InternetNZ has expressed concern about governments legitimising the suspension of internet services that are "contrary to its laws, to public order or to decency." http://www.telecompaper.com/news/internetnz-publishes-paper-on-itr-review--9 10132 S'pore data protection law should include govt The upcoming Personal Data Protection Act will be more transparent and robust if public sector agencies are included, but overlapping existing internal guidelines could cause confusion. http://www.zdnet.com/sg/spore-data-protection-law-should-include-govt-700000 7893/ us: Leahy pledges no warrantless e-mail access for feds Stripped of its controversial provision for warrantless e-mail acccess, Sen. Patrick Leahy's bill to rewrite electronic privacy and surveillance law will head for a vote on Thursday. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57555013-38/leahy-pledges-no-warrantless-e -mail-access-for-feds/ us: Congressman proposes 2-year ban on bills about Internet In an unusual step, a U.S. congressman is proposing a two-year ban on all new federal legislation regulating the Internet. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/27/tech/web/issa-reddit-internet-bill/index.h tml Rep. Darrell Issa introduces a ?don?t mess with the Internet for two years? bill If it ain?t broke, don?t fix it. Yet, when it comes to the Internet, there are plenty of politicians who believe something is broken. http://venturebeat.com/2012/11/27/darrell-issa-iama-bill/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/rep-darrell-issa-introduce s-a-dont-mess-with-the-internet-for-two-years-bill/2012/11/28/21cd71ec-390e- 11e2-9258-ac7c78d5c680_story.html uk: The Leveson inquiry is irrelevant to 21st-century journalism Just as nature abhors a vacuum, the internet abhors geo-specific regulation. I may read about a contempt of court ruling in the UK, I Google a related name and the restricted identity is everywhere ? in the image results, in dozens, hundreds, maybe thousands of articles, and beyond that discussed on maybe even millions of social media pages. Deletion and retrieval does not work, and gossip cannot be easily doused. Lord McAlpine is suing half of Twitter on the basis that retweets of the BBC's error are each worth ?5 of damage. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/28/leveson-irrelevant-21st- century-journalism ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** The untold history of the Internet by Martin Geddes What if our basic assumptions about networking are wrong? Could we unknowingly be living in a networking 'dark ages'? Are there hidden risks in deploying fibre and more capacity? Industry consultant Martin Geddes tells us the untold history of the Internet, and the unfortunate design errors now baked into every network router. https://internetnz.net.nz/news/blog/2012/Invitation-untold-history-Internet- Martin-Geddes ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** au: NBN chief defends network rollout NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley has likened the $37.4 billion national broadband network to a supertanker, claiming it would be difficult for a Coalition government to change course in the rollout of the massive infrastructure project. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/nbn_chief_defends_network_rollout_zRPWjn8hiT u4IjMNYslFSJ Nope, copper network still rooted (and maybe worse than first thought) Since posting our "Australia's copper network is 'rooted'" article both Malcolm Turnbull's office and Telstra have responded saying that the fault rate on Telstra's copper network is not 30 per cent - more like ten per cent. These claims even made it on to a Delimiter article mentioned here: "Copper network not "rooted", says Telstra" http://www.abc.net.au/technology/articles/2012/11/27/3642266.htm ------ 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 Nov 29 2012 - 03:00:40 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:11 UTC