[DNS] domain name news - 21 October

[DNS] domain name news - 21 October

From: David Goldstein <goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au>
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:45:10 -0700 (PDT)
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.


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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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The new gTLDs are coming. Is being on the right side of the dot for you?
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a293f96f-7c53-4020-9569-bcc8c93b78ab


Is the New gTLD Program Approval Even a Chance for This Year? by Tony Kirsch
http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=590

ICANN Identity Crisis Blunts Moves Against Rogue Pharma
http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=1072&doc_id=198604

National security strategy says UK under threat of cyber attack
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/18/national-security-strategy-cyber-attacks


uk: Theresa May warns of growing threat of cyber warfare
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/18/theresa-may-threat-cyber-warfare

Meet the Stuxnet, so much subtler than a tactical nuclear device
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/17/stuxnet-worm-john-naughton

Anonymous 2009 pm.gov.au attack highlighted secuity risks: ASIO
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/365115/anonymous_2009_pm_gov_au_attack_highlighted_secuity_risks_asio/


au: WIPO shuts down 1saleaday.com.au
http://www.crn.com.au/News/235927,wipo-shuts-down-1saleadaycomau.aspx/

Remaining IPv4 Address Space Drops Below 5% [news release]
http://nro.net/media/remaining-ipv4-address-below-5.html

Why the need for IPv6? Blame Vint Cerf.
http://fcw.com/Articles/2010/10/18/Cybereye-box-Vint-Cerf-blame-for-IPv6.aspx

Bankrupt Sex.com draws $13 million offer [AFP]
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/sexcom-in-1321m-bid-20101021-16vap.html



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GOVERNANCE
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Is the UN Assailing Internet Governance? by Gregory Francis
The coven of UN bodies with a hand in internet governance keeps getting bigger: 
not only is the General Assembly intending soon to decide the fate of the 
Internet Governance Forum (IGF), but if the decision coming out of New York does 
not give them enough of a role, the UN has a back-up plan. In May of 2011, no 
less than four specialized UN agencies, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNDP and (perhaps most 
legitimately) the ITU, are planning a Conference what will allow them to insert 
themselves still further into the matter.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101019_is_the_un_assailing_internet_governance/

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DOMAIN NAMES
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**********************
 - ICANN
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The new gTLDs are coming. Is being on the right side of the dot for you?
There has been a significant development that you may want to consider regarding 
your presence on the Internet. The governing body of the Internet, at the 
moment, ICANN, has announced an expansion program for gTLDs, generic or general 
top-level domain names. This means that, in simple terms, a company will be able 
to act as its own registrar with its brand on the right side of the dot. The 
proposed changes will add generic gTLDs, such as .bank or .insurance as well as 
permit some brand gTLDs, for example, .newbalance or .dvf.
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a293f96f-7c53-4020-9569-bcc8c93b78ab


Is the New gTLD Program Approval Even a Chance for This Year? by Tony Kirsch
As I noted in my recent comments, the recent resolutions from the Special 
Meeting of the ICANN Board held in Norway in late September left a few important 
new gTLD issues up in the air and created a little uncertainty in the 
marketplace.
http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=590

ICANN Identity Crisis Blunts Moves Against Rogue Pharma
The last week of September, the White House held a meeting with Internet domain 
registrars to talk about the problem of illegal online drug sales. There?s loads 
of money at stake on all sides of the equation: The UN said in 2005 that 90 
percent of drug sales online are without prescriptions. But what interests us 
here is the reaction of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers 
-- ICANN , an organization with, to put it mildly, an identity crisis -- to the 
rogue pharmacy problem.
http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=1072&doc_id=198604

Generic TLDs could harm traditional domains
The traditional domain name market could suffer from reduced registrations after 
the introduction of new generic top level domains (TLDs) next year, the head of 
.eu registry EURid has warned.
http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2271692/dot-eu-chief-warns-gtlds-hit

Next new TLD guidebook due early November
The next version of ICANN?s Applicant Guidebook for wannabe new top-level domain 
registries could be published as early as the first week of November, and it 
could be proposed as the ?final? draft.
http://domainincite.com/next-new-tld-guidebook-due-early-november/

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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auDA Caves In And Releases Secret Ballot Numbers
Over the past few days I?ve been receiving a lot of phone calls and email 
messages from auDA members who are angry and frustrated with what happened at 
the 2010 AGM.
http://www.domainerincome.com/news/auda-caves-in-and-releases-secret-ballot-numbers/


emarat: Phase 2 of Arabic TLD launch for trademarks
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the UAE has dedicated the 
currently-commenced phase two of the launch of Arabic top level domain dotEmarat 
to trademarks, while phase one was dedicated to governmental entities.
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/IT_187646.html

ICANN asks .jobs registry to explain itself
ICANN has asked .jobs registry manager Employ Media to clarify its plan to lift 
restrictions on who can register names in its top-level domain.
http://domainincite.com/icann-asks-jobs-registry-to-explain-itself/

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 - DNS SECURITY
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The CIA: Stop Digital Proliferation! Destroy your computer now by Milton Mueller
A new essay in Harvard National Security Journal by Dr. Dan Geer, the Chief 
Information Security Officer of the CIA's venture firm In-Q-Tel, reveals how 
militarizing the internet puts the brakes on business opportunities or 
innovations that might come from the internet. Any change makes things less 
?secure," you see?
http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2010/10/20/4660721.html

uk: Threat of cyber attack is the new priority as cuts hit major projects
The Government unveiled its long-awaited National Security Strategy yesterday 
introducing, for the first time, a league table of "threats" to the UK ranging 
from terrorism and cyber warfare to illegal immigrants and pandemic flu.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/threat-of-cyber-attack-is-the-new-priority-as-cuts-hit-major-projects-2110273.html


National security strategy says UK under threat of cyber attack
The government today unveiled its national security strategy, which emphasised 
the new threats facing Britain from cyberspace, non-state groups and hostile 
forces unlikely to be deterred by conventional weaponry.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/18/national-security-strategy-cyber-attacks


Terrorism and cyber attacks top security threats
Cyber attacks, terrorism, inter-state conflict and natural disasters are the top 
threats to national security, officials said on Monday, before a major military 
review expected to usher deep defence spending cuts.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69H01Z20101018

uk: Theresa May warns of growing threat of cyber warfare
Theresa May, the home secretary, warned today that cyber warfare is a "growing 
threat" to Britain, alongside international terrorism.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/18/theresa-may-threat-cyber-warfare

Meet the Stuxnet, so much subtler than a tactical nuclear device
In the normal course of events, a Siemens Simatic Programmable Logic Controller 
(PLC) would not be of interest to anyone other than a hardcore industrial 
process engineer. It's a small, dedicated computer used to control the 
operations of specialised machinery in a wide range of manufacturing industries. 
Since June, however, the Siemens controllers have become a topic of intense 
interest to people like journalists and policymakers who, in normal 
circumstances, have difficulty controlling a microwave oven.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/17/stuxnet-worm-john-naughton

Comcast Begins DNS Security Rollout
Comcast has begun migrating its customers to a new Internet security mechanism 
that will help protect them from being inadvertently routed to phony Web pages 
for pharming attacks, identity theft and other scams.
http://www.cio.com/article/626868/Comcast_Begins_DNS_Security_Rollout?taxonomyId=3234


DNSSEC to kill the ISP wildcard?
Comcast is to switch off its Domain Helper service, which captures DNS error 
traffic and presents surfers with sponsored search results instead, as part of 
its DNSSEC implementation.
http://domainincite.com/dnssec-to-kill-the-isp-wildcard/

Law firm launches new TLD service
The law firm Crowell & Moring has launched a practice dedicated to helping 
companies apply for ? and sue other applicants for ? new top-level domains.
http://domainincite.com/law-firm-launches-new-tld-service/

Anonymous 2009 pm.gov.au attack highlighted secuity risks: ASIO
Anonymous? distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks on the website of the 
Australian Prime Minister late last year highlighted potential risks to 
Australia?s national security, according to the nation?s top spy agency, the 
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/365115/anonymous_2009_pm_gov_au_attack_highlighted_secuity_risks_asio/


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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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us: Politicians' Domain Names Prey to Cybersquatters
The midterm elections, now just two weeks away, have been marked by an explosive 
growth in the use of Web 2.0 tools such as online social networking and blogging 
in an effort to garner support and electrify voters.
http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleFriendlyLTN.jsp?id=1202473609771

http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202473609771

au: WIPO shuts down 1saleaday.com.au
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has stepped in to 
effectively force the shutdown of an Australian e-tailer, following a trademark 
dispute with a U.S. company of the same name.
http://www.crn.com.au/News/235927,wipo-shuts-down-1saleadaycomau.aspx/

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 - IPv4/IPv6
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Remaining IPv4 Address Space Drops Below 5% [news release]
The Number Resource Organization (NRO) announced today that less than five 
percent of the world?s IPv4 addresses remain unallocated. APNIC, the Regional 
Internet Registry for the Asia Pacific region, has been assigned two blocks of 
IPv4 addresses by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). This latest 
allocation means that the IPv4 free pool dipped below 10% in January, just nine 
months ago. Since then, over 200 million IPv4 addresses have been allocated from 
IANA to the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs).
http://nro.net/media/remaining-ipv4-address-below-5.html

IPv4 Address Exhaustion Continues on Critical Path to Depletion
The depletion of IPv4 addresses continues on its critical path with there now 
being only five per cent of the addresses remaining to be allocated, with the 
pool still set to be exhausted in mid-2011, despite an increasing take-up of 
IPv6 addresses. While the story is not new that the IPv4 address pool is 
becoming critically low, the slow take-up of IPv6 is of major concern given the 
approaching date for IPv4 exhaustion.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12618
http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/10/20/ipv4-address-exhaustion-continues-on-critical-path-to-depletion/


Final IPv4 addresses to be issued within months, NRO warns [IDG]
The global body in charge of allocating Internet addresses expects to hand out 
the final blocks of IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) addresses to regional 
registrars early next year, it said Monday.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9191518/Final_IPv4_addresses_to_be_issued_within_months_NRO_warns

http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/364644/final_ipv4_addresses_issued_within_months_nro_warns/


IPv4 depletion ?imminent?
The pool of IPv4 address space available to regional internet registries will 
likely expire in ?early 2011?, according to the Number Resource Organization.
http://domainincite.com/ipv4-depletion-imminent/

Gap between IPv4 depletion, IPv6 adoption widens
With the Internet's largest-ever upgrade looming, network operators are using up 
address space based on the current standard -- known as IPv4 -- much faster than 
they are adopting IPv6, the next-generation standard.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/364683/gap_between_ipv4_depletion_ipv6_adoption_widens/


IPv4 Net addresses now 95 percent used up
The final stages of the squeeze are arriving: of the 4.3 billion Internet 
addresses possible with today's Net mainstream technology, 95 percent are gone.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20019836-264.html
http://www.zdnet.com.au/ipv4-addresses-95-per-cent-gone-339306674.htm

IPv4 addresses 95 percent gone
Less than five percent of the world's IPv4 addresses remains free, according to 
the representative of the five regional internet registries.
http://www.zdnetasia.com/ipv4-addresses-95-percent-gone-62203800.htm

Why the need for IPv6? Blame Vint Cerf.
The world is running out of IPv4 addresses, forcing the adoption of a new 
generation of Internet protocols, IPv6, to keep the Internet running. Whose 
bright idea was that? ?It?s my fault,? confessed Vint Cerf, godfather of the 
Internet.
http://fcw.com/Articles/2010/10/18/Cybereye-box-Vint-Cerf-blame-for-IPv6.aspx

US Government takes the lead on IPv6 adoption
The recent Office of Management and Budget mandate for agencies to enable IPv6 
on public-facing Web servers and internal networks is a welcome and much needed 
step toward future-proofing the Internet.
http://fcw.com/articles/2010/10/18/cybereye-gov-leads-on-ipv6.aspx

Well of remaining IPv4 address blocks a step closer to running dry
Yesterday, APNIC received two more /8s from IANA, reducing the IANA global pool 
to just 12 /8s?5.4 percent of the usable IPv4 address space. APNIC is one of the 
five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) that distribute IP addresses around the 
world, and IANA is part of ICANN, the body that governs the Internet. (Insofar 
as the Internet allows itself to be governed.)
http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/10/well-of-remaining-ipv4-address-blocks-quickly-running-dry.ars


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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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No profits from prophets - Bible.com investor sues
A shareholder of Bible.com Inc sued the company?s board members, accusing the 
ordained ministers of failing to profit from the "goldmine" potential of the 
namesake Internet property, according to a lawsuit.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/scitech/article719410.ece/No-profits-from-prophets---Bible.com-investor-sues


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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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Bankrupt Sex.com draws $13 million offer [AFP]
AN offshore holding company wants to have its way with sex.com for $US13 
million.
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/sexcom-in-1321m-bid-20101021-16vap.html

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/sexcom-in-1321m-bid-20101021-16vap.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/connect/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501833&objectid=10682099


Sex.com Domain Name to Sell for $13 Million
Over the past few weeks I?ve been checking the Escom bankruptcy court docket 
twice daily for an update to the Sex.com case. Earlier today the court posted a 
proposed order for the sale of Sex.com for $13 million. The buyer is Clover 
Holdings Limited.
http://domainnamewire.com/2010/10/20/breaking-sex-com-domain-name-to-sell-for-13-million/


Sex.com sells for $13m
The storied domain name sex.com is set to be sold for $13m, The Register has 
learned. Bankrupt Escom LLC sex.com's current owner, has sealed a deal to hand 
over the domain to a company called Clover Holdings Ltd, according to documents 
filed this week in a California court.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/20/domain_name_sale/

Cliff Stearns (R-FL) Addresses TRAFFIC Conference
Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) addressed the TRAFFIC domain conference this 
afternoon. About 75 people were in attendance during Stearns? fireside chat with 
show organizer Howard Neu. Stearns was joined by retired Congressman Mike 
Ferguson. Stearns is a member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology 
and the Internet, and Ferguson was on this subcommittee while he served.
http://domainnamewire.com/2010/10/18/cliff-stearns-r-fl-addresses-traffic-conference/


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INTERNET USE
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Internet users to exceed 2 billion by the end of 2010
One third of the world's population will be online by the end of the year, 
according to United Nations statistics. The number of people online has doubled 
to two billion in the last five years, the International Telecommunications 
Union (ITU) said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11576486

Internet users to exceed 2 billion this year - U.N. agency
The number of Internet users will surpass two billion this year, approaching a 
third of the world population, but developing countries need to step up access 
to the vital tool for economic growth, a United Nations agency said on Tuesday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69I25N20101019
http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52292920101019

ITU estimates two billion people online by end 2010 [news release]
ITU?s latest statistics published today in The World in 2010: ICT facts and 
figures reveal that the number of Internet users worldwide doubled in the past 
five years and will surpass the two billion mark in 2010. The number of people 
having access to the Internet at home has increased from 1.4 billion in 2009 to 
almost 1.6 billion in 2010. The new data were released on the eve of World 
Statistics Day, which will be celebrated worldwide on 20 October 2010.
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/39.aspx

We thought the internet was killing print. But it isn't
There is no clear correlation between a rise in internet traffic and a fall in 
newspaper circulation. Some papers are growing in both formats, others are 
succeeding in neither, according to new research
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/17/newspaper-abcs-websites-internet-news


Violent images 'boost teenage aggression'
Repeated viewing of violent scenes in films, television or video games could 
make teenagers behave more aggressively, US research suggests. The National 
Institutes of Health study of 22 boys aged 14 to 17 found that showing dozens of 
violent clips appeared to blunt brain responses.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11570090

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SOCIAL NETWORKING
**********************
Facebook sues over free gift card, 'dislike' button scams [IDG]
Facebook has filed lawsuits aimed at cracking down on a variety of scams that 
have been running wild on the social-networking site in recent months.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9192160/Facebook_sues_over_free_gift_card_dislike_button_scams

http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/365087/facebook_sues_over_free_gift_card_dislike_button_scams/


Facebook files three antispam lawsuits
Facebook announced today that it has filed suit against two individuals and a 
company that it says are responsible for propagating deceptive spam offers 
across the massive social network, including some that encouraged members to 
spam their friends in turn.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-20020217-36.html

Small firms split on social media
Around half of small businesses are using social media, but many do not find it 
useful, according to research by a small firms trade body.
http://out-law.com/page-11463

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CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
************************************************
Most Parents Monitor Kids' Social Networking Regularly
"Oh Crap. My Parents Joined Facebook." So reads the introduction of an online 
support group, myparentsjoinedfacebook.com, for the kids of parents who have 
connected with them online. With rants ranging from a mother who "liked" 
hundreds of photos on her daughter's page, to another who used Facebook to "out" 
her son for logging onto Facebook too much, parents may learn a thing or two 
about how to engage with your teens on social networking sites.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2371052,00.asp

au: AFP: net filter trials were legal
Trials of the government's internet content filter were legal according to the 
Australian Federal Police (AFP), which has thrown out claims by network engineer 
Mark Newton that the tests breached the Telecommunications Act.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/afp-net-filter-trials-were-legal-339306670.htm

au: Conroy's department not working on filter
The Communications Minister's Department has dropped direct action on the 
Federal Government's mandatory internet filter project, following Stephen 
Conroy's announcement that the filter would be delayed for a year.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/conroy-s-department-not-working-on-filter-339306711.htm

au: Labor's ISP filter plan faces more delays
LABOR'S controversial ISP filter plan faces further delays as a meeting central 
to the policy is postponed yet again.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/government/labors-isp-filter-plan-faces-more-delays/story-fn4htb9o-1225941055763


The great Aussie firewall is back - and this time it's personal
Internet censorship in Australia is once more on a roll, with more online 
content than ever coming up for a ban. It seems the Prime Minister, Julia 
Gillard, deciding that the great firewall was neither a political nor a 
technical issue, but a moral one.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/18/gillard_media/

The INTERPOL "Worst of"-list [news release]
At the 2009 INTERPOL General Assembly, member countries voted unanimously to 
adopt a Resolution (AG-2009-RES-05) to limit the online distribution of child 
sexual abuse images. The Resolution encourages member countries to promote the 
use of all the technical tools available, including access blocking of websites 
containing child sexual abuse images. 

http://www.interpol.int/Public/THBInternetAccessBlocking/WorstOfList.asp

uk: Child online safety chief Jim Gamble to leave next month
One of the UK's most influential child online safety advocates, Jim Gamble, is 
to leave his role as chief executive next month, the Guardian has learnt - four 
months earlier than expected.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/pda/2010/oct/19/jim-gamble-ceop

ug: Children want govt to enact anti-pornography law
CHILDREN have called on the Government to enact laws to restrict access to the 
Internet to protect the under-age from pornographic material.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010201065.html
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/735665

Schoolyard Bullies Branch Out Over the Internet
The age-old, schoolyard threat of bullying has caught up to modern technology 
and recent history has shown that users with children may be missing clues to 
the threat posed by cyberbullying.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/208282/schoolyard_bullies_branch_out_over_the_internet.html


uk: 72 Percent of Parents Monitor Their Kid's Facebook Page
Nearly three quarters (72 percent) of parents monitor their child's social 
networking account, says TRUSTe.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=3244758
http://www.pcworld.com/article/208262/.html

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ONLINE TV & MUSIC
**********************
Internet Is a Weapon in Cable TV Fight
In disputes between television programmers and distributors, the new 
battleground is the Internet.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/business/media/20hulu.html

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MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Obsession with iPhones becomes 'security threat'
The global obsession with the iPhone has become a threat to security, with an 
entire criminal industry springing up around the much-coveted smart phone, the 
chief executive of the Australian Crime Commission has warned.
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/obsession-with-iphones-becomes-security-threat-20101019-16sjl.html

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/smart-phone-pity-criminals-are-proving-even-smarter-20101019-16sld.html


UN report: Growth in mobile contracts slowing [AP]
The U.N. telecommunications agency says the number of new mobile phone contracts 
is slowing as cell phone usage reaches saturation point.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/un-report-growth-in-mobile-contracts-slowing-20101020-16spb.html

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/un-report-growth-in-mobile-contracts-slowing-20101020-16spb.html


6.1 trillion text messages to be sent in 2010
Use of mobile phones and the Internet continues to skyrocket despite a huge 
difference in broadband pricing worldwide, a new study from the International 
Telecommunications Union (ITU) has found.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20020101-17.html

Somali militants ban mobile money transfers
A Somali rebel group has banned the transfer and receipt of cash by mobile 
phone, a move the government said would stifle the economy and hurt 
entrepreneurs in a country where few hold bank accounts.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69H3HJ20101018

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SPAM
**********************
ACMA: International collaboration on spam critical
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is encouraging more 
countries to start anti-spam groups.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/364875/acma_international_collaboration_spam_critical/

http://www.techworld.com.au/article/364875/acma_international_collaboration_spam_critical


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DIGITAL DIVIDE
**********************
au: Faraway kids in remote control
For the children of Yirrkala school, life in their remote community means less 
access than city kids to education technology.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/faraway-kids-in-remote-control/story-e6frg6nf-1225940399262


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ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
**************************
Incidence Of Cybertheft Surpasses Incidence Of Physical Theft For The First 
Time, Study Says
Incidence of theft of information and electronic data at global companies has 
overtaken physical theft for the first time, according to a study released 
yesterday.
http://www.darkreading.com/security/attacks/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=227900305


The CIA: Stop Digital Proliferation! Destroy your computer now by Milton Mueller
A new essay in Harvard National Security Journal by Dr. Dan Geer, the Chief 
Information Security Officer of the CIA's venture firm In-Q-Tel, reveals how 
militarizing the internet puts the brakes on business opportunities or 
innovations that might come from the internet. Any change makes things less 
?secure," you see?
http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2010/10/20/4660721.html

uk: Threat of cyber attack is the new priority as cuts hit major projects
The Government unveiled its long-awaited National Security Strategy yesterday 
introducing, for the first time, a league table of "threats" to the UK ranging 
from terrorism and cyber warfare to illegal immigrants and pandemic flu.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/threat-of-cyber-attack-is-the-new-priority-as-cuts-hit-major-projects-2110273.html


National security strategy says UK under threat of cyber attack
The government today unveiled its national security strategy, which emphasised 
the new threats facing Britain from cyberspace, non-state groups and hostile 
forces unlikely to be deterred by conventional weaponry.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/18/national-security-strategy-cyber-attacks


Terrorism and cyber attacks top security threats
Cyber attacks, terrorism, inter-state conflict and natural disasters are the top 
threats to national security, officials said on Monday, before a major military 
review expected to usher deep defence spending cuts.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69H01Z20101018

uk: Theresa May warns of growing threat of cyber warfare
Theresa May, the home secretary, warned today that cyber warfare is a "growing 
threat" to Britain, alongside international terrorism.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/18/theresa-may-threat-cyber-warfare

Meet the Stuxnet, so much subtler than a tactical nuclear device
In the normal course of events, a Siemens Simatic Programmable Logic Controller 
(PLC) would not be of interest to anyone other than a hardcore industrial 
process engineer. It's a small, dedicated computer used to control the 
operations of specialised machinery in a wide range of manufacturing industries. 
Since June, however, the Siemens controllers have become a topic of intense 
interest to people like journalists and policymakers who, in normal 
circumstances, have difficulty controlling a microwave oven.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/17/stuxnet-worm-john-naughton

FTC reaches settlement with online marketers claiming false ties to Google
A group of online marketers accused of claiming false ties to Google have been 
forced to cease operations as part of a settlement agreement reached with the 
FTC, the agency announced on Monday.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/10/ftc-reaches-settlement-agreeme.php


us: Court to Google: Give woman ID of online commenter [AP]
A business consultant who wants to know who's been anonymously disparaging and 
fixating on her online has gotten a court to force Google to tell her.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39767076/ns/technology_and_science-security/
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/20/earlyshow/leisure/gamesgadgetsgizmos/main6974938.shtml

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_16391002

nz: Phishing scam nets drivers' licences [NZPA]
The New Zealand Transport Agency is offering to waive the fee for a replacement 
driver's licence for victims of an online phishing scam.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/4259424/Phishing-scam-nets-drivers-licences

**************************
PRIVACY
**************************
Personal data could become commodity
Companies that want to make use of the personal information people put online 
should pay for it, the US Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has said. It 
made the statement as it released a list of five technology trends to watch for 
the year ahead.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11571513

Google in breach of privacy law
Google's accidental collection of personal data as part of its Street View 
project has been branded a "serious violation" of privacy laws.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11577588

Google Street View broke Canada's privacy law with Wi-Fi capture
Google violated the privacy of thousands of Canadians when it inadvertently 
collected personal information about them with its Street View mapping cars, the 
country's privacy commissioner has ruled.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/19/google-street-view-privacy-canada


Canada Finds Google Violated Privacy Laws
Canada's privacy commissioner said Tuesday that an nvestigation has found that 
Google violated Canadian privacy laws when the Internet firm collected personal 
information from unsecured Wi-Fi networks in that country.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/10/canada-finds-google-violated-p.php


Google contravened Canadian privacy law, investigation finds [news release]
Google Street View cars inappropriately collected personal information such as 
e-mails, usernames, passwords, phone numbers and addresses; Commissioner 
recommends stronger controls and improved privacy training.
http://www.priv.gc.ca/media/nr-c/2010/nr-c_101019_e.cfm

Spain Moves to Fine Google Over Street View [IDG]
The Spanish Data Protection Agency is preparing to fine Google over infractions 
against local data protection laws when it collected Wi-Fi data as part of its 
Street View service, it said in a statement on Monday.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/208173/.html

US Asks More Questions for Facebook
Two House members asked Facebook Inc. for more details about the way 
applications on the social network handle user information, following 
revelations of new privacy concerns.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304410504575560640816473962.html

US Congress pokes Facebook
In response to reports that third-party applications on Facebook have been 
collecting and distributing user information, Reps. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and 
Joe Barton, R-Texas, want to know how many people were affected, when Facebook 
found out, and what the company plans to do about it.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20101019_9769.php

Facebook's Latest Privacy Fears Are No Big Deal
As privacy blunders go, Facebook's accidental leaking of User IDs to advertisers 
and data firms is pretty insignificant.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/208176/.html

The cookie that never crumbles
Browser cookies have a chequered history. They were developed out of necessity 
in 1994, to allow a browser to peruse pages at a web server while maintaining a 
continuous session. Since web protocols are stateless, there is no inherent 
connection from one page viewed by a browser to the next, making each view an 
isolated occurrence. Cookies provide the glue, and allow programs on a server to 
track the same user on a single browser over time. This is commonly used for 
logging into an account. You type in a user name and password and the server 
validates your identity. It then passes back a snippet of text that contains a 
unique token. Each request by a browser for a subsequent page is accompanied by 
any cookies set for that domain. 

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2010/10/browsers_track_eternally

US Congress Pokes Facebook
In response to reports that third-party applications on Facebook have been 
collecting and distributing user information, Reps. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and 
Joe Barton, R-Texas, want to know how many people were affected, when Facebook 
found out, and what the company plans to do about it.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/10/congress-pokes-facebook.php

Facebook apps are stealing your personal info [AP]
The latest Facebook privacy fiasco shows that the world's largest online social 
hub is having a hard time putting this thorny issue behind it even as it 
continues to attract users and become indispensible to many of them.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/facebook-apps-are-stealing-your-personal-info-20101019-16ras.html

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/facebook-apps-are-stealing-your-personal-info-20101019-16ras.html


Apps are tracking us - study
Popular mobile phone applications are sharing sensitive information about users, 
including their location, with advertising companies, a study has found.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/study-says-apps-are-tracking-users-20101018-16qxa.html

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/study-says-apps-are-tracking-users-20101018-16qxa.html

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/4250953/Apps-are-tracking-us-study

**********************
CENSORSHIP
**********************
Iran 'blocks ex-president Khatami's website'
Iranian authorities have blocked access within Iran to the official website of 
reformist former president turned key opposition figure Mohammad Khatami, an 
opposition website said on Tuesday.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/8074623/Iran-blocks-ex-president-Khatamis-website.html


**************************
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
**************************
Plan to store Britons' phone and internet data revived
The government is to revive a plan to store every email, webpage visit and phone 
call made in the UK, a move that goes against a pledge made by the Liberal 
Democrats ahead of the election.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/20/internet-phone-data-plan-revived


U.S. Pushes to Ease Technical Obstacles to Wiretapping
Law enforcement and counterterrorism officials, citing lapses in compliance with 
surveillance orders, are pushing to overhaul a federal law that requires phone 
and broadband carriers to ensure that their networks can be wiretapped, federal 
officials say.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/19wiretap.html

Aussie porn laws confuse travellers
Confused travellers unsure about what sort of porn they're allowed to bring into 
Australia have prompted a re-working of passenger cards.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/australia/4247397/Aussie-porn-laws-confuse-travellers


Cloud floats through cybercrime legislation: Crime Commission
The head of the Australian Crime Commission has warned current law enforcement 
isn?t properly equipped to respond to attacks on cloud computing services, which 
is poised to be the next frontier for organised crime gangs to expand their 
syndicates.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/364787/cloud_floats_through_cybercrime_legislation_crime_commission/


Uganda Passes Cyber Laws
Uganda's Parliament has passed into law the electronic transactions and 
electronic signature bills that will improve the regulations for security of 
electronic transactions and devices.
http://www.busiweek.com/10/page.php?aid=1461
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010181358.html

*********************************
MISCELLANEOUS
*********************************
Microsoft bets to win in the cloud and rival Google
Microsoft has ramped up its battle with Google in wooing business customers with 
its next generation cloud-based product. While the software giant dominates the 
office space with a 94% market share it has been facing increased competition 
from Google.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11571613

Microsoft Moves Office to the Cloud
It has been a busy year inside Microsoft: the company is getting ready to 
introduce an entirely new mobile platform and a new type of Xbox gaming 
interface that uses the human body instead of a traditional controller. Now it 
is offering a new kind of Microsoft Office suite, called Office 365, which is 
based in the cloud.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/microsoft-moves-office-to-the-cloud/

Microsoft Announces Office 365; New cloud service brings together Office, 
SharePoint, Exchange and Lync for organizations of all sizes [news release]
Microsoft Corp. today announced Microsoft Office 365, the company?s next 
generation in cloud productivity that brings together Microsoft Office, 
SharePoint Online, Exchange Online and Lync Online in an always-up-to-date cloud 
service. Office 365 makes it easier for millions more organizations to get and 
use Microsoft?s award-winning business productivity solutions via the cloud. 
With Office 365, people can work together more easily from anywhere on virtually 
any device, while collaborating with others inside and outside their 
organization in a simple and highly secure way. As part of today?s news, 
Microsoft is also opening a limited beta program for Office 365 in 13 countries 
and regions.
http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/oct10/10-19Office365.mspx

**********************
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
**********************
au: Minister threatens to use law to force people on NBN if states revolt
Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy says he will wield federal law as 
a weapon to force people on to the national broadband network (NBN) if the 
states and territories don't make connections mandatory.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/minister-threatens-to-use-law-to-force-people--on-nbn-if-states-revolt-20101021-16uge.html

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/minister-threatens-to-use-law-to-force-people--on-nbn-if-states-revolt-20101021-16uge.html


au: Broadband: getting faster but still too slow
Broadband speeds have jumped 20 per cent during the past eight months according 
to a report based on thousands of consumer experiences, but experts warn that 
Australia still falls well short of its peers internationally.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/broadband-getting-faster-but-still-too-slow-20101019-16rqt.html


nz: Internet users can face two-year waits
Enduring long waits to get internet access is a phenomenon not limited to 
Central Auckland, according to other would-be web users.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10681757

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(c) David Goldstein 2010



 
---------
David Goldstein
email: goldstein_david&#167;yahoo.com.au
web:  http://davidgoldstein.tel/
         http://goldsteinreport.com/
phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home
"Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you 
forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery



      
Received on Thu Oct 21 2010 - 00:45:10 UTC

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