*************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Message, if Murky, From U.S. to the World http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/technology/in-a-huff-a-telling-us-walkout. html U.S. Rejects Telecommunications Treaty http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/technology/14iht-treaty14.html The fight to keep a state-free internet http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/22b57874-4607-11e2-b780-00144feabdc0.html What really happened in Dubai? by Milton Mueller http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/12/13/what-really-happened-in-dubai/ Riches draw attention to internet groups: As countries struggle, the big success of companies such as Google has become hard to ignore http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d7d35390-447f-11e2-932a-00144feabdc0.html US, UK and Canada refuse to sign UN's internet treaty http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20717774 Internet humbles UN telecoms agency http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/12/14/internet-humbles-un-telecoms-a Australia holds out on UN internet treaty http://www.afr.com/p/technology/australia_holds_out_on_un_internet_5XmRxZ8or wqIhX12CjBs2H Australia walks away from WCIT treaty http://www.zdnet.com/au/australia-walks-away-from-wcit-treaty-7000008783/ Concluding the Series of Trademark Clearinghouse Meetings by Fadi Chehad? http://blog.icann.org/2012/12/concluding-the-series-of-trademark-clearinghou se-meetings/ Another deadline missed in registrar contract talks http://domainincite.com/11332-another-deadline-missed-in-registrar-contract- talks Chehade kicks off massive Whois review http://domainincite.com/11320-chehade-kicks-off-massive-whois-review Nominet's plans to launch the .uk domain ? good or bad for UK business? http://www.guardian.co.uk/media-network/media-network-blog/2012/dec/13/nomin et-plans-direct-uk-domain What You Need to Know about the Prioritization Draw, Plus a New gTLD Video Series from FairWinds http://www.gtldstrategy.com/technical-details-vendor-advice/what-you-need-to -know-about-the-prioritization-draw-plus-a-new-gtld-video-series-from-fairwi nds New Research to Shape Your New gTLD Plans http://www.gtldstrategy.com/marketing-strategies/new-research-to-shape-your- new-gtld-plans Seven new gTLD applications withdrawn, two after GAC Early Warnings http://domainincite.com/11313-seven-new-gtld-applications-withdrawn-two-afte r-gac-early-warnings Deloitte confirmed as first Trademark Clearinghouse provider http://domainincite.com/11309-deloitte-confirmed-as-first-trademark-clearing house-provider Cybersquatters or Entrepreneurs ? At What Point is Intervention Appropriate? by Mark Perry [New Zealand Business Law Quarterly 1998] http://ssrn.com/abstract=2187199 ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Message, if Murky, From U.S. to the World At the global treaty conference on telecommunications here, the United States got most of what it wanted. But then it refused to sign the document and left in a huff. ... But even Mr. Kramer acknowledged that his real concerns were less tangible, saying it was the ?normative? tone of the debate that had mattered most. The United States and its allies, in other words, saw a chance to use the treaty conference to make a strong statement about the importance of Internet freedom. But by refusing to sign the treaty and boycotting the closing ceremony, they made clear that even to talk about the appearance of global rules for cyberspace was a nonstarter. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/technology/in-a-huff-a-telling-us-walkout. html U.S. Rejects Telecommunications Treaty Talks on a proposed treaty governing international telecommunications collapsed in acrimony on Thursday when the United States rejected the agreement on the eve of its scheduled signing, citing an inability to resolve an impasse over the Internet. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/technology/14iht-treaty14.html The fight to keep a state-free internet The first gathering of world governments to debate the future of the internet has ended in dramatic discord, with 55 member states of a UN body refusing to sign a global treaty on international telecommunications. The collapse of the talks marks just the first battle in what will be an enduring global contest to define the governance and control of the internet in the 21st century. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/22b57874-4607-11e2-b780-00144feabdc0.html Internet regulation seen at national level as treaty talks fail The world's major Internet companies, backed by U.S. policymakers, got much of what they wanted last week when many nations refused to sign a global telecommunications treaty that opponents feared could lead to greater government control over online content and communications. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/17/uk-telecoms-treaty-fail-idUKBRE8BG0 0I20121217 ITU Director General ?Surprised? By U.S. Dissent On New Telecoms Treaty, Says Internet And Content Issues Are Not In There The director general of the ITU today spoke of his surprise and disappointment with the U.S., UK and other nations walking out of a vote to approve a new UN telecoms treaty, the first update to international regulation of the industry in 24 years. The treaty has been charged with controversy over questions of how it would approach Internet provisioning and freedom of speech, with several parties weighing in before and during the UN meeting in Dubai to make their positions known. http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/14/itu-director-general-surprised-by-u-s-disse nt-on-new-telecoms-treaty-says-internet-and-content-issues-are-not-in-there/ What really happened in Dubai? by Milton Mueller When I stopped monitoring the WCIT process around 5:30 pm (CET) December 13, it appeared that the delegations were attempting to finalize something very close to a consensus document. The almost-final draft of the ITRs that I reviewed at that time did not mention the Internet by name at all ? a victory for Internet defenders. The all-important Article 9, under which most international Internet interconnections are made, had not been significantly altered. There was no language about cybersecurity. There may have been a few subtleties here or there that were not perfect, but on the whole this was a set of ITRs that could have been passed. http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/12/13/what-really-happened-in-dubai/ The U.N. Isn?t Regulating the Internet?but Governments Still Exert Control Is the U.N. now somehow regulating the Internet now that its International Telecommunications Union?after a two week meeting in Dubai that centered largely on whether it should include the Internet in its telephone-centric regulations?has today declared the existence of a new global telecom treaty? http://www.technologyreview.com/view/508886/the-un-isnt-regulating-the-inter net-but-governments-still-exert-control/ After WCIT: Some observers fear content proposals [IDG] Expect no major changes to the functioning of the Internet in the coming months after a controversial ending to the ITU's WCIT, but an agreement hammered out there may encourage countries to censor Web content in the longer term, participants and observers said. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/121412-after-wcit-some-observers-fear- 265136.html How the UN's 'Game-Changing' Internet Treaty Failed Did you know that, for the past two weeks, the future of the Internet has been at stake? Yes, it has. Those two weeks hosted the WCIT (also hosted, technically, by Dubai). And they hosted, as well, a fairly dramatic face-off -- often between blocs led by Iran, Russia, and China and blocs led by the United States, the UK, and Canada. The purpose of the summit? To rewrite a multilateral communications treaty (official name: International Telecommunications Regulations) that has been the official governing document of the Internet since the late 1980s. The treaty, if passed with a meaningful consensus, could have significantly altered the way the Internet is governed -- and, therefore, it could have significantly altered the Internet itself. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/12/how-the-uns-game-chang ing-internet-treaty-failed/266263/ Riches draw attention to internet groups: As countries struggle, the big success of companies such as Google has become hard to ignore What do a spat over the taxes that Google and Amazon pay in the UK and a multinational conference on the internet taking place in Dubai have in common? http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d7d35390-447f-11e2-932a-00144feabdc0.html US, UK and Canada refuse to sign UN's internet treaty The US, Canada and UK have refused to sign an international communications treaty at a conference in Dubai. The three countries had objected to calls for all states to have equal rights to the governance of the internet. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20717774 Talks on Internet treaty fail as U.S. bloc won't sign An attempt by national governments to establish a worldwide policy for oversight of the Internet collapsed on Thursday after many Western countries said a compromise plan gave too much power to United Nations and other officials. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/uk-telecom-treaty-us-idUKBRE8BC1AZ2 0121214 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/telecom-treaty-us-idINDEE8BC0FU2012 1214 U.N. summit implodes as U.S., others spurn Internet treaty In a stunning repudiation of a United Nations summit, an alliance of Western democracies including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada today rejected a proposed treaty over concerns it hands repressive governments too much authority over the Internet. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57559034-38/u.n-summit-implodes-as-u.s-oth ers-spurn-internet-treaty/ U.S. Intervention at the WCIT: statement delivered by Ambassador Terry Kramer from the floor of the WCIT on December 13, 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Mr. Chairman, as Head of the U.S. Delegation, I wanted to start out and thank you for your tireless work and leadership. Your personal commitment to a successful outcome here is very impressive. However, I do need to say that it is with a heavy heart and a sense of missed opportunities that the U.S. must communicate that it is not able to sign the agreement in the current form. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/12/202037.htm No change to telecoms and internet governance - EU Member States amongst dozens not signing proposed new International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR) Treaty, remain 100% committed to open internet Delegates from the 193 member countries of the ITU have concluded the WCIT conference in Dubai. Negotiations to review the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) failed to reach consensus agreement. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-991_en.htm WCIT Split After Split ?Vote? On Internet Governance Resolution A mere resolution, not part of the future International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR), led to yet another escalation at the ongoing WCIT in Dubai last night. http://www.ip-watch.org/2012/12/13/wcit-split-after-split-vote-on-internet-g overnance-resolution/ Internet humbles UN telecoms agency Having turned industries and governments upside down, the Internet has claimed its first organizational scalp, subjecting the UNs' ITU to a humiliating failure at the WCIT in Dubai earlier today. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/12/14/internet-humbles-un-telecoms-a WCIT... In Conclusion by Fadi Chehad? Friends and colleagues, Today marks the end of the lengthy WCIT conference in Dubai. I am sure you along with most of our community have been watching events carefully. As you know, Steve Crocker and I were invited to attend the opening ceremony two weeks ago, and I was invited to speak. I used this opportunity to engage with the many delegations in Dubai in support of our remarkable multistakeholder model. I was pleased that we received public assurances from ITU Secretary General Dr. Hamadoun Tour? that neither Internet resources nor ICANN would be the subject of the WCIT treaty. http://blog.icann.org/2012/12/wcit-in-conclusion/ https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/2/page/1/articles/18257 Remarks by Fadi Chehad? | Opening Ceremony at the 7th Annual IGF Meeting | Baku | 6 Nov 2012 Remarks by Fadi Chehad? at the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan | 6 Nov 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9xCD-tRjfY Fadi Chehad? Addresses WCIT Opening Ceremony in Dubai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6398OvNQg7Q The highlights and low points of WCIT One thing that everyone could agree on in the build-up to the WCIT was that anything could happen during the two weeks in Dubai. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/12/14/highlights-and-low-points-wcit Editorial: Who rules the Internet? The U.N. agency that oversees phone, radio and satellite communications last week stopped short of fragmenting the Internet into national fiefdoms. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-itu-united-nations-inte rnet-20121216,0,6253388.story Global telecom treaty without Net controls signed by 89 nations An international telecommunications treaty signed by 89 countries out of a possible 144 on Friday will have little impact on how carriers operate or how consumers surf the web or make calls around the world when it comes into effect in 2015. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/telecom-treaty-idINDEE8BD0CA2012121 4 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/uk-telecom-treaty-idUKBRE8BD17U2012 1214 The UN's telecom conference is finally over. Who won? Nobody knows. Vint Cerf says, "The good guys did not win," while ITU head dismisses concern. After two weeks of negotiations, the delegates at the WCIT-12, or ?wicket twelve?, in Dubai produced a 30-page document that 89 countries have signed?except the United States and many allies. So the good guys won, right? It depends who you ask. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/the-uns-telecom-conference-is-fin ally-over-who-won-nobody-knows/ After WCIT: Some observers fear content proposals [IDG] Expect no major changes to the functioning of the Internet in the coming months after a controversial ending to the ITU's WCIT, but an agreement hammered out there may encourage countries to censor Web content in the longer term, participants and observers said. http://www.cio.com/article/723978/After_WCIT_Some_observers_fear_content_pro posals http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/444689/after_wcit_some_observers_fea r_content_proposals/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234723/After_WCIT_Some_observers_fea r_content_proposals http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/after-wcit-some-observers-fear-cont ent-proposals Why the ITU is the wrong place to set Internet standards There has been a lot of heated rhetoric about the WCIT, which is wrapping up its meeting in Dubai this week. Last week, the US Congress unanimously declared its opposition to giving the UN body increased control over the Internet. Congress is prone to making melodramatic gestures, but even more sober-minded entities such as Google and Mozilla seem to agree that WCIT is a danger to the open Internet. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/why-the-itu-is-the-wrong-place-to -set-internet-standards/ U.S. Snubs U.N. Telecom Treaty With Rest Of West At Dubai Conference [AP] A disappointed American delegation led a Western snub of a U.N. telecommunications treaty Thursday after rivals, including Iran and China, won support for provisions interpreted as endorsing greater government control of the Internet. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/us-un-telecom-treaty_n_2296442.html The Masters of the Internet by Timothy Karr, Campaign Director, Free Press and SavetheInternet.com Who controls the Internet? That question rests uneasily at the center of debates this week at the WCIT in Dubai. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/the-masters-of-the-intern_b_22918 55.html ITU sneaks in middle-of-night resolution to hijack Internet governance Here we go again. I told you the forces of darkness would be back, in their attempt to hijack the Internet and impose authoritarian controls. I just didn't expect it to be so quickly -- and actually in the dark of night. http://www.zdnet.com/itu-sneaks-in-middle-of-night-resolution-to-hijack-inte rnet-governance-7000008753/ The Dark Side Of Tomorrow's 'Internet Treaty' Believe it or not, the world has come to believe the United Nations should take a greater role in how the Internet is governed. http://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2012/12/13/the-dark-side-of-tomorrows -internet-treaty/ Australia holds out on UN internet treaty The federal government will refuse to ratify a revised United Nations treaty on telecommunications, amid fears the revised document would allow greater regulation of the internet. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/australia_holds_out_on_un_internet_5XmRxZ8or wqIhX12CjBs2H Australia walks away from WCIT treaty Australia will follow in the footsteps of the US and the UK by rejecting the last minute revised international telecommunications treaty. http://www.zdnet.com/au/australia-walks-away-from-wcit-treaty-7000008783/ Canada among countries refusing to sign WCIT treaty Canada, the United States and a number of other countries have hung up on a global telecom summit. http://www.itworldcanada.com/news/canada-among-countries-refusing-to-sign-wc it-treaty/146498 NZ joins US, other Western nations in rejecting UN control of internet New Zealand refused to sign a treaty that would have given the United Nations' control of much of the nternet, ICT Amy Adams confirmed this afternoon. http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/nz-will-vote-against-un-taking-control-internet NZ spurns global internet treaty update New Zealand refused to sign a controversial global treaty on telecom regulations. http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-spurns-global-internet-treaty-update/tabid/1607/ar ticleID/280522/Default.aspx Australia says no to revised internet treaty Communications minister Stephen Conroy has confirmed that Australia will not be sign a revised international telecommunications treaty, citing the potential of the treaty to change the way the internet operates. http://www.technologyspectator.com.au/australia-says-no-revised-internet-tre aty Confusion on internet future at UN [AFP] The freewheeling, unregulated internet seemed to survive a push for new rules at a United Nations treaty meeting, but the collapse of talks leaves unanswered questions about the web?s future. http://afr.com/p/technology/confusion_on_internet_future_at_Z2sITvDjrWSQ09fu JzVSVM Internet regulation seen at national level as treaty talks fail The world's major Internet companies, backed by US policymakers, got much of what they wanted last week when many nations refused to sign a global telecommunications treaty that opponents feared could lead to greater government control over online content and communications. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/internet-regulation-seen-a t-national-level-as-treaty-talks-fail/articleshow/17645391.cms India, US reject Internet regulation India joined the US in opposing rules that would give governments control over the Internet as an international split over Web regulation divides a United Nations conference in Dubai. http://www.livemint.com/Industry/3gtX8BWmMEaIfNyCfFI7xL/UN-group-gives-nod-f or-greater-Internet-oversight.html Internet Society Disappointed over Fundamental Divides at WCIT: Statement from the CEO and President, Lynn St. Amour The Internet Society, like other participants at the WCIT, came to this conference looking for a successful outcome. We were hopeful that it would result in a treaty that would enable growth, further innovation, and advance interoperability in international telecommunications. It was extremely important that this treaty not extend to content, or implicitly or explicitly undermine the principles that have made the Internet so beneficial. http://www.internetsociety.org/news/internet-society-disappointed-over-funda mental-divides-world-conference-international New global telecoms treaty agreed in Dubai - WCIT forges solid new framework for tomorrow?s hyper-connected world After two intensive weeks of negotiations, delegates from around the world have agreed a new global treaty that will help pave the way to a hyper-connected world that will bring the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to people everywhere. http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/92.aspx Newly revised technology regulations represent ?win? for consumers ? UN official Delegates from over 160 countries meeting in Dubai have finished drafting the text of a revised global treaty that sets out general principles for assuring the free flow of information worldwide, the UNs ITU announced today. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43769 Resolution ?adopted? amid general confusion During last night?s session of the WCIT, which ended very late, conference chair Mohammed Nasser Al Ghanim proposed a ?Resolution to foster an enabling environment for the greater growth of the Internet? that would reinforce the ITU?s role in Internet governance. http://en.rsf.org/internet-s-future-at-stake-at-itu-10-12-2012,43776.html Is WCIT Failure the Start of a Digital Cold War? by St?phane Van Gelder This was never part of the plan. Going into the Dubai WCIT two weeks ago, there was optimism aplenty. After weeks of online and media campaigning, proponents of a free Internet had managed to scare everyone into thinking that WCIT was tantamount to digital Armageddon. This had the effect of defusing the conference before it even started, or so it seemed. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20121214_is_wcit_failure_the_start_of_a_digita l_cold_war/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Concluding the Series of Trademark Clearinghouse Meetings by Fadi Chehad? Today I convened the final informational call to close off the series of stakeholder meetings on implementing the Trademark Clearinghouse. I shared the following updates: http://blog.icann.org/2012/12/concluding-the-series-of-trademark-clearinghou se-meetings/ Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services Launched Fadi Chehad?, ICANN's President and CEO, is announcing the creation of an Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services. This first step in fulfilling the ICANN Board's directive to help redefine the purpose and provision of gTLD registration data will provide a foundation to help the ICANN community (through the Generic Names Supporting Organization, GNSO) create a new global policy for gTLD directory services. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-14dec12-en.htm Leader Named for Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services ICANN's President and CEO, Fadi Chehad?, is launching a comprehensive effort to examine and redefine the purpose and provision of gTLD registration data (referred to as "WHOIS"). As part of this strategic initiative, an expert working group will be created to provide a foundation for the ICANN community to create (through the Generic Names Supporting Organization, GNSO) a new global policy for gTLD directory services. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-14dec12-en.htm RAA Negotiations Update ? December 2012 Over many months of negotiations, ICANN and the Registrars have made significant progress in negotiating the 12 recommendations from law enforcement authorities on improvements to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-14dec12-en.htm Advisory ? D-root is changing its IPv4 address on 3 January 2013 We are passing on this announcement from our colleagues at the University of Maryland, regarding a change to the IPv4 address to one of the DNS root servers. http://blog.icann.org/2012/12/d-root/ ALAC Statement on the IDN Variant TLD Program ? Interim Report Examining the User Experience Implications of Active Variant TLDs Edmon Chung, At-Large member from the Asian, Australasian and Pacific Islands Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO) and the ALAC IDN Policy Liaison, composed an initial draft of this Statement after discussion of the topic within At-Large and on the Mailing Lists. https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/2/page/1/articles/18256 New gTLD Video Update: The GAC | 13 Nov 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPHx87hysr0 Another deadline missed in registrar contract talks ICANN and domain name registrars will fail to agree on a new Registrar Accreditation Agreement by the end of the year, ICANN has admitted. http://domainincite.com/11332-another-deadline-missed-in-registrar-contract- talks Chehade kicks off massive Whois review ICANN has started the ball rolling on its potentially radical rethink of how Whois works with formation of a new ?Expert Working Group? tasked with examining the issue. http://domainincite.com/11320-chehade-kicks-off-massive-whois-review ICANN drops .jobs shut-down threat ICANN has withdrawn his breach notice against .jobs registry Employ Media, opening the floodgates for third-party job listings services in the gTLD. http://domainincite.com/11324-icann-drops-jobs-shut-down-threat ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** 83% success rate for claims involving domain names created 3 to 6 months Afnic highlights the Syreli procedure in this month?s issue of its Domain Name Industry Report. http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/6521/show/83-success-ra te-for-claims-involving-domain-names-created-3-to-6-months.html fr: Domain name professionals, take part in the 2013 Registrar-Atlas Survey ECO, the Association of the German Internet Industry, is launching its third market study for domain name professionals, with the support of Afnic. http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/6504/show/domain-name-p rofessionals-take-part-in-the-2013-registrar-atlas-survey.html nl: Final report on Domain Name Debate 2012 now available On 28 September, SIDN organised the Domain Name Debate 2012 at the Koninklijke Schouwburg theatre in The Hague. A provisional report on the debate was produced and comments invited between 22 October and 20 November. The report has since been edited to take account of the comments received, and the finalised version is now available. https://www.sidn.nl/en/news/news/article/eindrapport-domeinnaamdebat-2012-be schikbaar-1/ .pw: A leader in trademark protection? by Kate Moran of TM.Biz, .PW?s trademark validation agent. As you may know, on December 3rd .pw (the ccTLD for Palau) kicked off its sunrise offering. It is a relaunch of a country-code to the general public ? however, equally noteable is that it is one of the first TLDs to deploy some of the advanced Rights Protection Mechanisms currently being debated by the ICANN community. http://www.domainnamenews.com/legal-issues/pw-a-leader-in-trademark-protecti on/22106 .XXX, One Year Later Amidst ongoing legal challenges and an orchestrated campaign to squelch legitimate discourse on the topic ? including examples of an irrational hatred punctuated by countless excretory images posted to discussion threads on industry forums ? the .XXX initiative is rapidly approaching the first anniversary of its rollout, and despite the fears of opponents, little has changed for the industry at large. http://www.xbiz.com/articles/157598 xxx: ICM seizes on Google?s porn algorithm change Grasping the opportunity for a bit of easy publicity, ICM Registry has seized upon a recent Google algorithm change to promote its .xxx gTLD?s brand. http://domainincite.com/11317-icm-seizes-on-googles-porn-algorithm-change Nominet's plans to launch the .uk domain ? good or bad for UK business? Do you have plans to purchase a .co.uk domain for your business? Adam Grunwerg thinks you might want to think again http://www.guardian.co.uk/media-network/media-network-blog/2012/dec/13/nomin et-plans-direct-uk-domain uk: Nominet appoints Chief Operating Officer and publishes November Communique We are pleased to announce that Eleanor Bradley has been appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer. In recognition of the breadth of her new responsibilities, Eleanor has joined the Nominet Board taking a seat that was previously vacant. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/nominet-appoints-chief-operating-offic er-and-publishes-november-communique ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** What You Need to Know about the Prioritization Draw, Plus a New gTLD Video Series from FairWinds Today kicks off the sale of tickets for ICANN?s Prioritization Draw in Los Angeles, California. The sale will continue until the morning of Monday, December 17. The Draw will take place later that day. http://www.gtldstrategy.com/technical-details-vendor-advice/what-you-need-to -know-about-the-prioritization-draw-plus-a-new-gtld-video-series-from-fairwi nds New Research to Shape Your New gTLD Plans New gTLDs are on track to begin delegating into the Root Zone as soon as the second quarter of next year. With the first launches fast approaching, brand owners and other new gTLDs applicants have been gathering information in order to form strategies and make decisions about how they will use and market their new gTLDs. But a crucial piece of information has been missing ? until now, that is. http://www.gtldstrategy.com/marketing-strategies/new-research-to-shape-your- new-gtld-plans Seven new gTLD applications withdrawn, two after GAC Early Warnings Seven more new gTLD applications have been officially withdrawn from the ICANN evaluation process, two of which were recently hit with governmental warnings, bringing the total to 13. http://domainincite.com/11313-seven-new-gtld-applications-withdrawn-two-afte r-gac-early-warnings Deloitte confirmed as first Trademark Clearinghouse provider ICANN has signed a contract with Deloitte, making the company the first official trademark validation agent for the forthcoming new gTLDs Trademark Clearinghouse. http://domainincite.com/11309-deloitte-confirmed-as-first-trademark-clearing house-provider Complaint filed over gTLD trademark meetings The ombudsman at ICANN has received a complaint about two recent meetings covering rights protection under the gTLD programme. http://www.worldipreview.com/newsstory.asp?ID=60 New gTLD Program Update Over the past four-plus years, MarkMonitor has been closely following and actively participating in the development of ICANN?s New gTLD Program. We have advocated passionately for the addition of improved Rights Protection Mechanisms and we are dedicated to providing accurate and unbiased information about the program to all our clients. https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/new-gtld-program-update/ How to Resolve Multiple Applications for the Same gTLD ? with Monte Cahn Uncertainty associated with the process of applying for new gTLDs is frustrating, even more so when multiple applicants are vying for the same gTLD, and unfortunately that ambiguity continues to be commonplace. http://www.domainsherpa.com/monte-cahn-rightofthedot-interview/ Bilingual Welsh & English Customer Support Service for dotCymru and dotWales gTLDs We are currently consulting on the policies that will determine how the proposed new Welsh gTLDs (.cymru and .wales) will work. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/bilingual-welsh-english-customer-suppo rt-service-dotcymru-and-dotwales-gtlds Is the .XXX Domain the Playbook for a New Generic TLD Registry? Launched about a year ago, to plenty of questions and criticism, the .xxx domain, operated by ICM Registry, has evolved into a totally unusual offering in the domain name space, with a handful of unique characteristics and what is looking more and more like a model to be emulated by the new generic TLDs that will be arriving in the next year or two. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/is-the-xxx-domain-the-playbook-for-a -new-generic-tld-registry The .gay grab: Four companies want to own the new domain. Should it be for sale? It?s being called a digital land rush, and four companies have their sights set on .gay. http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/The_gay_grab-12926.aspx ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Cybersecurity Management In the States: The Emerging Role of Chief Information Security Officers by Marilu Goodyear, Holly T. Goerdel, Shannon Portillo & Linda Williams [2010] Abstract: The importance of safeguarding information created and shared on computers and the internet has increased significantly in recent years, as society has become increasingly dependent on information technology in government, business, and in their personal lives. Both corporations and government have responded by creating a new role in their organizations to lead the safeguarding efforts - chief information security officers. The role of these officers is still under development. Do they safeguard best by using law enforcement techniques and technological tools? Or are they more effective if they serve as educators and try to influence the behaviors of technology users? This report is a significant contribution to the discussion of the roles and responsibilities of chief information security officers (CISOs) in state governments across the United States. It identifies both strategies and activities used by successful state CISOs, and thereby provides a good road map to success for all state CISOs. http://ssrn.com/abstract=2187412 Successful collaborative cyber security awareness raising - Large Scale Pilot for EU SME business & citizens; two new reports launched by EU Agency ENISA on the European Information Sharing and Alert System (EISAS) The EU?s cyber security Agency ENISA has run a Large Scale Pilot project for the European Information Sharing and Alerting System ? EISAS to better prepare EU business and citizens facing cyber threats; the EISAS Large Scale Pilot Report, details its successful actions, and identifies the cost-effectiveness of European awareness raising collaboration, while the EISAS Updated Roadmap foresee future actions for EISAS. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/successful-cyber-security-awareness-raising-large -scale-pilot-for-eu-sme-business-citizens In focus: Status report 2012 on Computer Emergency Response Teams baseline capabilities launched by EU Agency ENISA [news release] The EU?s cyber security agency ENISA has launched two new reports: 1. The Status Report 2012 for CERTs which provides a state-of-play overview of national/governmental CERTs? capabilities (n/g CERTs) and concludes that the key challenge is the diversity of capabilities across Member States in Europe. 2. The accompanying report on updated recommendations for n/g CERTs addresses remaining gaps and shortcomings. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/status-report-2012-on-certs- baseline-capabilities-launched-by-enisa Power grid operators attacked via DDoS The internet infrastructure of 50Hertz, a power grid operator that runs 220 and 380 kilovolt transmission networks in Northern and Eastern Germany, was attacked by unidentified criminals on 20 November. The EurActiv European news portal reports that the CEO of 50Hertz, Boris Schucht, announced at an event in Brussels that a botnet had hit the high voltage power grid operator's web pages and email infrastructure with a DDoS attack. http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Power-grid-operators-attacked-via -DDoS-1767170.html DDoS Attacks Against US Banks Peaked At 60 Gbps [IDG] Some of the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that targeted the websites of U.S. financial institutions this week have peaked at 60 Gbps, according to researchers from DDoS mitigation provider Arbor Networks. http://www.cio.com/article/723889/DDoS_Attacks_Against_US_Banks_Peaked_At_60 _Gbps http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234701/DDoS_attacks_against_U.S._ban ks_peaked_at_60_Gbps Threat of mass cyberattacks on U.S. banks is real, McAfee warns The wave of distributed denial of service attacks that hit U.S. banks in October was next-to-nothing compared to what could happen if cybercriminals actually carry through with their plans for next year. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57559153-83/threat-of-mass-cyberattacks-on- u.s-banks-is-real-mcafee-warns/ Massive bank cyberattack planned Security firm McAfee on Thursday released a report warning that a massive cyberattack on 30 U.S. banks has been planned, with the goal of stealing millions of dollars from consumers' bank accounts. http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/13/technology/security/bank-cyberattack-blitzkr ieg/index.html Long Shadow Of Stuxnet Inspires Custom Anti-Malware Project Another sign of how Stuxnet is reshaping the SCADA security world: One major global supplier and integrator in offshore drilling, subsea, and merchant marine operations pushed for the creation of a custom malware protection solution that better fits operationally sensitive critical infrastructure environments. http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/vulnerabiliti es/240144337/long-shadow-of-stuxnet-inspires-custom-anti-malware-project.htm l Netcraft: World map of phishing attacks Netcraft's new phishing attack map provides a real-time visualisation of the phishiest countries in the world. Measurements are determined by using IP address delegation information to attribute current phishing sites in our Phishing Site Feed to countries. We then use the number of active sites found by our Web Server Survey to calculate and display the ratio of phishing attacks to web sites in each country. http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2012/12/13/world-map-of-phishing-attacks.h tml Phishing Attack Trends by Country Represented in Netcraft Map Internet research organization Netcraft has posted a new phishing attack map that shows a real-time visual representation of the top phishing countries in the world. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/phishing-attack-trends-by-country-re presented-in-netcraft-map DDoS Attacks on Major US Banks Resurface The group that claimed responsibility for large-scale distributed denial-of-service attacks against major U.S. banks in September and October has carried out another flurry of attacks that are still ongoing today. http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/ddos-attacks-major-us-banks-resurface-1214 12 Latest DDoS attacks on banks: A teachable moment [CSO] The websites of major U.S. banks were attacked this week in an ongoing campaign that reflects the changing tactics used in distributed denial of service (DDoS) strikes, a security expert says. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/121412-latest-ddos-attacks-on-banks-26 5114.html Recent botnets busted by FBI were lame, but still dangerous [CSO] A criminal organization recently busted by law enforcement distributed malware on Facebook using two separate botnets built from tools that are easily found in the hacker underground, a security expert said. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020600/recent-botnets-busted-by-fbi-were-lam e-but-still-dangerous.html Training to better manage cyber-attacks. Watch the new video clip on Cyber Europe 2012 This eight minutes video clip provides a detailed overview of how to better the cyber cooperation, and improving the resilience of the critical information infrastructure. This video is explaining ENISA's role and track record in the field of international, cross-border exercises, looking at how to test national and international communications and cyber crisis cooperation mechanisms. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/news-items/watch-the-new-video-clip-on-cybe r-europe-2012 MarkMonitor Q3 2012 Fraud Intelligence Report The MarkMonitor Fraud Intelligence Report for the third quarter of 2012 is now available. The findings are: https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/q3-2012-fraud-intelligence-report/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Cybersquatters or Entrepreneurs ? At What Point is Intervention Appropriate? by Mark Perry [New Zealand Business Law Quarterly 1998] Abstract: Domain names, passing off and early approaches. 'There has been no definitive description by the Courts of the legal nature of passing off actions, but the thrust of the tort has been to remedy damage to the goodwill of a business caused by the defendant?s misrepresentation. http://ssrn.com/abstract=2187199 ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** India aims for move to IPv6 by 2017 Moving aggressively on path of broadband revolution, govt sets deadline for different sectors to switch over to be internet protocol version 6 from the present version 4 http://www.governancenow.com/gov-next/egov/india-aims-move-ipv6-2017 ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** RIPE NCC Activity Plan and Budget 2013 We are pleased to announce that the RIPE NCC's Activity Plan and Budget for 2013 is now available online. This definitive document has been approved by the RIPE NCC Executive Board with input from the RIPE community, and outlines the work we will undertake in the coming year. http://www.ripe.net/internet-coordination/news/announcements/ripe-ncc-activi ty-plan-and-budget-2013 ********************** - WEBHOSTING ********************** Easyspace Creates Hosting Package for Companies Registered with Government Agency Companies House Web hosting provider Easyspace announced on Thursday that is has launched a hosting package designed for new businesses that register for incorporation with Companies House. The new Easyspace NewStart web hosting package including hosting, an email service and an .EU domain name. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/easyspace-creates-hosting-package-fo r-companies-registered-with-government-agency-companies-house ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Highlights for Domain Parkers in 2012 - Park Domains with the market leader - Sit back and earn money! Make sure you don?t miss any clicks on mobile devices with our new mobile-friendly layouts. You also don?t need to worry about ad blocking software: With Adblock Plus, all ads will appear correctly on your parked pages whenever they view the site in Firefox or Chrome. https://sedo.com/us/news/3212/Highlights-for-Domain-Parkers-in-2012/ Highlights for Domain Sellers in 2012 - Sell Domains ? Sell more domains worldwide to more buyers List your domains for sale and park more quickly and easily than ever. With the help of our new Add Domains Wizard, you can add domains to your account in just three steps. And to ensure your listings catch the eye of buyers around the world, our new Big Data Pricer provides price suggestions based on over 11 years of sales data so you can set a Buy Now price - the most popular way for buyers to buy a name. https://sedo.com/us/news/3211/Highlights-for-Domain-Sellers-in-2012/ Highlights for Domain Buyers in 2012 - Buy Domains ? The best selection, the optimal prices With better functionality and usability, the revamped tool provides more exact matches, smarter and faster advanced searches, and more relevant results. And because the results are so much more targeted, it?s even easier for you to decide which domains to add to your purchase. https://sedo.com/us/news/3210/Highlights-for-Domain-Buyers-in-2012-/ Forexpros Counts on Investing.com Investment Financial website Forexpros.com has purchased Investing.com for $2.45 million and rebranded itself under the new domain name, as TechCrunch reports. The sale of Investing.com makes it the second largest known purchase of a single domain name this year, after CardLab's $4 million deal for GiftCard.com. http://www.domainnamestrategy.com/2012/12/14/forexpros-counts-investingcom-i nvestment A Kernal of Data on Afternic (Keyword)Marketing.com Domain Sales I?m currently testing out a new file syncing service called AeroFS to keep files synced between my laptop, desktop and other devices. http://www.domainanimal.com/a-kernal-of-data-on-afternic-keywordmarketing-co m-domain-sales/ The Ties That Bind: Two Names Share Top Spot on This Week's Domain Sales Chart - Four Others Deadlocked in the Runner Up Spot The action in the domain aftermarket was dominated by mid-range sales again this week with the biggest transactions topping out at $60,000. Two names hit that mark to stake equal claims to the #1 position on our latest all extension Top 20 Sales Chart. Sedo earned a place in the spotlight with HotelsGuide.com, a position shared with LuxResorts.com. In a private transaction, Matt Worth sold the latter domain to the operators of LuxIslandResorts.com after picking the domain up on the drop three years ago. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2012/20121212.htm Why domain marketplaces deserve 20% (and if you disagree, no one forces you to use them) Whenever I write about the two big domain marketplaces, Afternic and Sedo, someone inevitably gripes about the 15% to 20% commissions they charge. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/12/13/domain-marketplace-commission/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Searching for porn using Google Images? It might be about to get harder... Using Google to search for pornographic images? Of course you're not. But if you were, in the US, the task is about to get a little more difficult after Google altered the algorithm for their image search database. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/searching-for- porn-using-google-images-it-might-be-about-to-get-harder-8412701.html No jokes, no kittens. Pope presses send on his first tweets In the beginning ? more than a week in advance ? was the press conference at the Vatican, announcing to a packed chamber of religious correspondents the coming event. The pope was joining Twitter, Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, revealed on 4 December The move into new media was borne of the holy father's desire to "encounter men and women wherever they are, and begin dialogue with them". http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/12/pope-tweets Australian phone, internet spend among highest Australians spend more per person on phone and internet services than people in almost any other country, according to a global study by the United Kingdom?s media and communications regulator. http://afr.com/p/technology/australian_phone_internet_spend_zeh8n4xsGMxxSi4y lgqAKI UK leads world in mobile web use thanks to Facebook ... and Gangnam Britain has become a gadget-obsessed nation, watching more television online, spending more on internet shopping and using smartphones and tablets to access the web more heavily than any of the world's leading economies, according to new research. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/dec/13/mobile-web-facebook-gangnam Britain leads world in mobile web use as the young drive demand British consumers watch more television online, spend more on internet shopping and use smartphones to access the web the most out of any major world economy, an official study has found. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/9740852/Britain-leads-wo rld-in-mobile-web-use-as-the-young-drive-demand.html ********************** SOCIAL MEDIA ********************** On Facebook, Bad With the Good Like many women these days, Aran Hissam, 35, of Melbourne, Fla., posted the news that she was pregnant on Facebook. On the morning of an ultrasound last year, she debated on the site whether to learn the baby?s sex, musing ?to peek or not to peek?? ... Posting bad news on a social media site eases the pain for the bearer of bad news and the recipient, because knowing what to say to someone who has just told you bad news can be one of the most socially fraught situations. ?If you put the news on Facebook, you?re also maximizing the recipient?s comfort, so they can process the information on their own time,? said Dr. Janet Sternberg, assistant professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University. ?It?s really hard to break bad news without crying or falling apart. But we can share painful news in less painful ways.? http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/fashion/using-facebook-to-announce-bad-new s.html Social Media and Brand Protection: Getting Started Social media is on the mind of every business person. Whether you?re just starting to craft a social media strategy or evolving it further, brand protection needs to be a critical component. Why? Along with the advantages of brand building and customer engagement that social media delivers, come major risks. The ability to identify, and more importantly, take action against brand hijackers, impersonators and others who seek to tarnish your brand are critical in today?s digital ecosystem. https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/social-media-and-brand-protection-getting -started/ Social Media & Brand Protection: Monitor the Action! In our series on ?Brand Protection & Social Media? blog posts, we highlight how brand protection adds an important dimension to social media strategy and showcases best practices. In our last post we started at the beginning: establishing your brand in social media channels with brand protection in mind. https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/social-media-brand-protection-monitor-the -action/ ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* Virtual Global Taskforce announces new members The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), an international alliance dedicated to combating online child sexual abuse, has voted in four new organizations as members. http://ceop.police.uk/Media-Centre/Press-releases/2012/Virtual-Global-Taskfo rce-announces-new-members/ ca: Ottawa urged to lead fight against cyber-bullying Canada needs a national strategy to combat cyber-bullying, a Senate committee says, and the federal government must take the lead to correct a hodgepodge of initiatives, definitions and programs that don't effectively address the problem nationwide. ... Some witnesses argued the government should enact laws to intervene more in Internet regulation because current industry standards make it difficult for bullied teens to get inappropriate content removed from websites. Face-book and the Canadian Internet Registration Authority supported what the committee termed a "hands-off or light-touch" approach to regulating the Internet, arguing that anti-cyber-bullying efforts should focus on funds for research and educational campaigns. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Ottawa+urged+lead+fight+against+cyber+bully ing/7692409/story.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Nokia Maps digitises streets to battle Google's threat Nokia smells an opportunity. Maps have become one of the most closely-watched battlegrounds in tech after a user-backlash led Apple to apologise for the quality of its iOS6 Maps update. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20497719 Google Introduces a New Mobile Ad to Combat Fat Fingers The ?fat finger effect? ? the theory that people accidentally click on mobile ads because cellphone screens are so small ? is one reason mobile ads generally earn less money than ads shown on desktop computers. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/google-introduces-a-new-mobile-ad-t o-combat-fat-fingers/ ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Hacker Gary McKinnon will not face UK charges Computer hacker Gary McKinnon, whose extradition to the US was blocked, will not face charges in the UK, bringing to an end a 10-year legal battle. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20730627 Gary McKinnon will face no charges in UK No further legal action will be taken in Britain against the computer hacker Gary McKinnon, the police and Crown Prosecution Service have announced. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/14/gary-mckinnon-no-uk-charges ********************** SECURITY ********************** Cybersecurity Management In the States: The Emerging Role of Chief Information Security Officers by Marilu Goodyear, Holly T. Goerdel, Shannon Portillo & Linda Williams [2010] Abstract: The importance of safeguarding information created and shared on computers and the internet has increased significantly in recent years, as society has become increasingly dependent on information technology in government, business, and in their personal lives. Both corporations and government have responded by creating a new role in their organizations to lead the safeguarding efforts - chief information security officers. The role of these officers is still under development. Do they safeguard best by using law enforcement techniques and technological tools? Or are they more effective if they serve as educators and try to influence the behaviors of technology users? This report is a significant contribution to the discussion of the roles and responsibilities of chief information security officers (CISOs) in state governments across the United States. It identifies both strategies and activities used by successful state CISOs, and thereby provides a good road map to success for all state CISOs. http://ssrn.com/abstract=2187412 Successful collaborative cyber security awareness raising - Large Scale Pilot for EU SME business & citizens; two new reports launched by EU Agency ENISA on the European Information Sharing and Alert System (EISAS) The EU?s cyber security Agency ENISA has run a Large Scale Pilot project for the European Information Sharing and Alerting System ? EISAS to better prepare EU business and citizens facing cyber threats; the EISAS Large Scale Pilot Report, details its successful actions, and identifies the cost-effectiveness of European awareness raising collaboration, while the EISAS Updated Roadmap foresee future actions for EISAS. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/successful-cyber-security-awareness-raising-large -scale-pilot-for-eu-sme-business-citizens In focus: Status report 2012 on Computer Emergency Response Teams baseline capabilities launched by EU Agency ENISA [news release] The EU?s cyber security agency ENISA has launched two new reports: 1. The Status Report 2012 for CERTs which provides a state-of-play overview of national/governmental CERTs? capabilities (n/g CERTs) and concludes that the key challenge is the diversity of capabilities across Member States in Europe. 2. The accompanying report on updated recommendations for n/g CERTs addresses remaining gaps and shortcomings. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/status-report-2012-on-certs- baseline-capabilities-launched-by-enisa Power grid operators attacked via DDoS The internet infrastructure of 50Hertz, a power grid operator that runs 220 and 380 kilovolt transmission networks in Northern and Eastern Germany, was attacked by unidentified criminals on 20 November. The EurActiv European news portal reports that the CEO of 50Hertz, Boris Schucht, announced at an event in Brussels that a botnet had hit the high voltage power grid operator's web pages and email infrastructure with a DDoS attack. http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Power-grid-operators-attacked-via -DDoS-1767170.html DDoS Attacks Against US Banks Peaked At 60 Gbps [IDG] Some of the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that targeted the websites of U.S. financial institutions this week have peaked at 60 Gbps, according to researchers from DDoS mitigation provider Arbor Networks. http://www.cio.com/article/723889/DDoS_Attacks_Against_US_Banks_Peaked_At_60 _Gbps http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234701/DDoS_attacks_against_U.S._ban ks_peaked_at_60_Gbps Threat of mass cyberattacks on U.S. banks is real, McAfee warns The wave of distributed denial of service attacks that hit U.S. banks in October was next-to-nothing compared to what could happen if cybercriminals actually carry through with their plans for next year. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57559153-83/threat-of-mass-cyberattacks-on- u.s-banks-is-real-mcafee-warns/ Massive bank cyberattack planned Security firm McAfee on Thursday released a report warning that a massive cyberattack on 30 U.S. banks has been planned, with the goal of stealing millions of dollars from consumers' bank accounts. http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/13/technology/security/bank-cyberattack-blitzkr ieg/index.html Long Shadow Of Stuxnet Inspires Custom Anti-Malware Project Another sign of how Stuxnet is reshaping the SCADA security world: One major global supplier and integrator in offshore drilling, subsea, and merchant marine operations pushed for the creation of a custom malware protection solution that better fits operationally sensitive critical infrastructure environments. http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/vulnerabiliti es/240144337/long-shadow-of-stuxnet-inspires-custom-anti-malware-project.htm l Netcraft: World map of phishing attacks Netcraft's new phishing attack map provides a real-time visualisation of the phishiest countries in the world. Measurements are determined by using IP address delegation information to attribute current phishing sites in our Phishing Site Feed to countries. We then use the number of active sites found by our Web Server Survey to calculate and display the ratio of phishing attacks to web sites in each country. http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2012/12/13/world-map-of-phishing-attacks.h tml Phishing Attack Trends by Country Represented in Netcraft Map Internet research organization Netcraft has posted a new phishing attack map that shows a real-time visual representation of the top phishing countries in the world. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/phishing-attack-trends-by-country-re presented-in-netcraft-map DDoS Attacks on Major US Banks Resurface The group that claimed responsibility for large-scale distributed denial-of-service attacks against major U.S. banks in September and October has carried out another flurry of attacks that are still ongoing today. http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/ddos-attacks-major-us-banks-resurface-1214 12 Latest DDoS attacks on banks: A teachable moment [CSO] The websites of major U.S. banks were attacked this week in an ongoing campaign that reflects the changing tactics used in distributed denial of service (DDoS) strikes, a security expert says. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/121412-latest-ddos-attacks-on-banks-26 5114.html Recent botnets busted by FBI were lame, but still dangerous [CSO] A criminal organization recently busted by law enforcement distributed malware on Facebook using two separate botnets built from tools that are easily found in the hacker underground, a security expert said. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020600/recent-botnets-busted-by-fbi-were-lam e-but-still-dangerous.html Training to better manage cyber-attacks. Watch the new video clip on Cyber Europe 2012 This eight minutes video clip provides a detailed overview of how to better the cyber cooperation, and improving the resilience of the critical information infrastructure. This video is explaining ENISA's role and track record in the field of international, cross-border exercises, looking at how to test national and international communications and cyber crisis cooperation mechanisms. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/news-items/watch-the-new-video-clip-on-cybe r-europe-2012 MarkMonitor Q3 2012 Fraud Intelligence Report The MarkMonitor Fraud Intelligence Report for the third quarter of 2012 is now available. The findings are: https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/q3-2012-fraud-intelligence-report/ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Google Maps for iPhone violates European data protection law, German watchdog says [IDG] When users install Google Maps on their iPhone, the option to share location data with Google is switched on by default. By doing this, Google violates European data protection law, according to a German data protection watchdog. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234724/Google_Maps_for_iPhone_violat es_European_data_protection_law_German_watchdog_says ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** China tightens 'Great Firewall' internet control with new technology China appears to be tightening its control of internet services that are able to burrow secretly through what is known as the "Great Firewall", which prevents citizens there from reading some overseas content. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/dec/14/china-tightens-great-firewa ll-internet-control New Paper from the Association for Progressive Communications and the Internet Society Connects Internet Protocols and Human Rights ?Like Internet protocols, human rights standards attempt to articulate principles that will apply universally over time, as ideas and conditions evolve,? a new paper argues. Commissioned by the Association for Progressive Communications and the Internet Society, the issue paper released today compares the standards-making processes as well as the principles underlying human rights on the one hand and Internet protocols on the other. http://www.internetsociety.org/news/new-paper-association-progressive-commun ications-and-internet-society-connects-internet ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** How can tax avoidance be stopped? As top tech firms legally avoid paying trillions in tax dollars we examine how such practices could be eliminated. US corporations avoid paying billions of dollars in tax by moving money offshore. Earlier this week Google was found to have avoided paying $2bn in tax by channelling $9.8bn from international subsidiaries into Bermuda, which has no corporate income tax. http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestoryamericas/2012/12/201212149464 9942217.html Google boss: I'm very proud of our tax avoidance scheme The head of the internet giant Google has defiantly defended his company?s tax avoidance strategy claiming he was ?proud? of the steps it had taken to cut its tax bill which were just ?capitalism?. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/google-boss-im-very-proud-of- our-tax-avoidance-scheme-8411974.html Google settles copyright dispute with Belgium newspapers Google has settled a long-running dispute with Belgium newspaper publishers that accused the search giant of copyright infringement over its practice of linking to French- and German-language Belgian newspapers. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57559146-93/google-settles-copyright-disput e-with-belgium-newspapers/ Onetime Allies in Antitrust Part Ways Over Google ... Now Google is the subject of major antitrust investigations in the United States and Europe. In the United States, regulators are expected to announce a decision within days to sue or settle, and under what terms. The European decision will come soon as well. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/17/technology/onetime-allies-in-antitrust-par t-ways-over-google.html Google still faces antitrust scrutiny in Europe, officials say [IDG] The European Union's competition chief has said negotiations with Google to settle an antitrust probe have "advanced," but talks are not yet concluded. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020602/google-still-faces-antitrust-scrutiny -in-europe-officials-say.html uk: Ministers step back from online pornography legislation Ministers have stepped back from forcing telecommunications companies to filter websites for online pornography after claiming that parents rejected the idea in a government-sponsored consultation. http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2012/dec/14/minister-online-pornography-le gislation uk: Internet porn: Automatic block rejected Ministers have rejected plans to automatically block internet access to pornography on all computers, saying the move is not widely supported. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20738746 David Cameron rejects automatic block on porn to protect children David Cameron has rejected proposals for an automatic block on online pornography over fears parents would assume the internet was safe for their children. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9746421/David-Cameron-rejects-automatic-bloc k-on-porn-to-protect-children.html Citizens of the Internet Aren't Going Down Without a Fight As the 15th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations draw to a close, the Internet freedom community is taking stock of what was said, and perhaps more significantly, what wasn't. Developments over the last few weeks suggest that the controversial treaty may be losing steam as public opposition gains momentum -- and there was plenty of opposition in evidence at the negotiations. The secretive agreement isn't ploughing ahead unhindered, and this is largely due to the actions of citizens and the Internet freedom community. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/catherine-hart/trans-pacific-partnership-canada _b_2294759.html Online gambling companies struggle to clear EU hurdles A partnership stuck on Friday between bwin.party Digital Entertainment and a Belgian casino group has defused one of many disputes pitting online gambling companies against governments across Europe. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/uk-gambling-europe-idUKBRE8BD0EU201 21214 A Political Brawler, Now Battling for Microsoft Mark Penn made a name for himself in Washington by bulldozing enemies of the Clintons. Now he spends his days trying to do the same to Google, on behalf of its archrival Microsoft. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/technology/microsoft-battles-google-by-hir ing-political-brawler-mark-penn.html us: Democrats watching court on net neutrality rules If the court throws out net neutrality regulations, House Democrats might counter with new legislation, Rep. Mike Doyle said Thursday. http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/democrats-watching-court-on-net-neutra lity-rules-85048.html nz: Susan Chalmers: TPP traps - we need to know the costs as well as the gains I'm not an economist, but I do understand what a net loss or a net gain is. Most people will be familiar with the concept - at the end of the day, are you better or worse off? To figure that one out you need to know what you've brought in, and what you've paid out. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10854463 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** China telecoms giant could be cyber-security risk to Britain Britain could face a damaging multibillion-pound trade war with China and see the roll-out of economically vital 4G mobile internet services derailed if an intelligence report, due to land on David Cameron's desk within the next two weeks, finds that the UK operations of the Chinese communications giant Huawei represents a threat to the UK's cyber-security. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/china-telecoms-giant-could-be- cybersecurity-risk-to-britain-8420432.html ------ 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 Flannery -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.cynosure.com.au/mailman/private/dns/attachments/20121217/cb7b11d1/attachment-0001.html>Received on Mon Dec 17 2012 - 05:10:36 UTC
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