Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Missing in Action - ICANN's 2010 Annual Report by Michael D. Palage http://www.circleid.com/posts/missing_in_action_icanns_2010_annual_report/ One Millionth .AT Domain Registered http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=13373 North Korean domain names return to the Internet [IDG] http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/373171/north_korean_domain_names_return_internet/ International cybersecurity treaty might not be achievable, report says http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110111_9236.php Addressing 2010 by Geoff Huston http://www.circleid.com/posts/addressing_2010/ Facebook, Google, Yahoo commit to 'World IPv6 Day' trial http://www.techworld.com.au/article/373196/facebook_google_yahoo_commit_world_ipv6_day_trial/ APNIC staff soldier on in Brisbane http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/373162/brief_apnic_staff_soldier_brisbane/ Brisbane web developer cashes in on floods, offers domain name to highest bidder http://www.news.com.au/technology/cashing-in-on-a-crisis/story-e6frfro0-1225987126631 Farmers Bureau Sold Domains for $8.5 million, Including fb.com to FaceBook http://www.domainnamenews.com/domain-sales/farmers-bureau-sold-domains-85-million-including-fbcom-facebook/8600 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Missing in Action - ICANN's 2010 Annual Report by Michael D. Palage In preparation for some upcoming long-haul international flights, I was looking for some "light" ICANN reading material. One document that came to mind was ICANN's 2010 Annual Report. Over the last four years ICANN has produced a year end report. While this document was probably originally conceived as a means to demonstrate ICANN's progress... more? http://www.circleid.com/posts/missing_in_action_icanns_2010_annual_report/ Coalition complains to ICANN about Universe.jobs The .JOBS Charter Compliance Coalition thinks Employ Media is violating its own policies by allowing Universe.jobs to be launched, and has complained to ICANN. http://domainincite.com/coalition-complains-to-icann-about-universe-jobs/ Three new ccTLDs (including .sx) up for grabs IANA quietly created three new country-code top-level domains shortly before Christmas, to represent the new nations created by the breakup of the Netherlands Antilles last year. http://domainincite.com/three-new-cctlds-including-sx-up-for-grabs/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** One Millionth .AT Domain Registered The Austrian ccTLD passed the one million active registrations milestone on 10 January. Of the registered domains, 96.28 per cent of domains (currently 962,987) are registered at the second level, while there are 30,093 (3.01%) .CO.AT domains and 7,146 (0.71%) OR.AT domains, making a total of 1,000,226 active domains at the close of business on 10 January. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=13373 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/01/11/one-million-at-domains-registered/ http://domainnews.com/en/at-passes-one-millionth-domain-registration.html .AT Crosses 1 million Domain Registrations The Austrian Registry just crossed the 1,000,000 domain registration mark this morning as reported by DVmag. http://www.domainnamenews.com/up-to-the-minute/crosses-1-million-domain-registrations/8585 New Domain Name Developments in China & Hong Kong This article summarises the development of the domain name regimes in China and Hong Kong in the past 12 months and gives a quick overview of the new measures and policies adopted by the respective administrative bodies, i.e. China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC) and Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC). http://www.mayerbrown.com/publications/article.asp?id=10228 DENIC To Release Nine One- Two-Letter Domains Wednesday DENIC, the registry for .DE domain names, is releasing nine short domains for registration that were previously blocked due to temporary injunctions this Wednesday, 12 January. The domain names being released are dw.de, e.de, f.de, g.de, hr.de, sr.de, x.de, y.de and z.de. http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/01/10/denic-to-release-nine-one-two-letter-domains-wednesday/ North Korean domain names return to the Internet [IDG] North Korean domain names have returned to the Internet over the last few days as the country continues to build its presence online. Websites, previously available only via IP addresses, are now accessible through dot-kp addresses and it appears more might be on the way. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/373171/north_korean_domain_names_return_internet/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/011211-north-korean-domain-names-return.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/373171/north_korean_domain_names_return_internet/ http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/216538/.html NiRA Releases 50,000 Free .ng Domains for Citizens Nigeria internet Registration Association (NiRA), managers of the Nigerian name space on the internet, the dot ng domain name has released 50, 000 free domain names for Nigerians as part of efforts to identify with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the country. http://www.independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=26723 http://allafrica.com/stories/201101100634.html ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Full Interview: Kieren McCarthy on Liberalizing the Internet Naming Space .com .ca .edu ? all are examples of top-level domains, or gTLDs, that exist on the internet. There are actually only 21, and they are coordinated by an international group called ICANN. Well, later this year ICANN will open up the naming system to everyone. Yes, anyone can apply for an internet extension! If you have $185,000 that is. Kieren McCarthy is the General Manager (U.S) of the Global Internet Business Coalition, and is holding a conference in San Francisco next month called .nxt to help get businesses ready for this massive expansion. He spoke to Nora about why he thinks liberalizing the internet naming space will be revolutionary. http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2011/01/full-interview-kieren-mccarthy-on-liberalizing-the-internet-naming-space/ New gTLDs and the Power of "Because" by Michael Palage Despite numerous false starts over the last decade it appears that 2011 will be the year ICANN finally implements a new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) process that will lead to the responsible expansion of the domain name space. One of the important remaining steps in this process will be the upcoming meeting between the ICANN Board and the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) intended to resolve a number of outstanding differences http://www.circleid.com/posts/new_gtlds_and_the_power_of_because/ Native Americans want new TLD protection The National Congress of American Indians, a Native American rights group, has asked ICANN for special protection for tribal names under the new top-level domains program. http://domainincite.com/native-americans-want-new-tld-protection/ Ready to apply for a gTLD? No, you?re not. Not even remotely by Kieren McCarthy. So, yes, it?s been a long, drawn-out and dispiriting exercise to get to the point where the structure of the internet will be radically changed forever. http://domainincite.com/ready-to-apply-for-a-gtld-no-you?re-not-not-even-remotely/ New gTLDs are coming...keep speaking up, your voices are being heard! Stakeholders objecting to the proposed new gTLD registration system should submit their comments to ICANN now. We currently expect ICANN to begin introducing new gTLDs into the marketplace in mid-to-late 2011. Stakeholders should be prepared to begin the application process, or to begin monitoring the applications submitted by others, at that time. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=ef31d251-a619-4e61-b9f4-d1a12974b60f ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** International cybersecurity treaty might not be achievable, report says An international treaty to establish regulations for computer security might be unattainable, according to a new report by the EastWest Institute think tank. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110111_9236.php Top 10 tech scares of the decade The dawn of the new millennium prompted fears about the future, but so far reality has not quite matched the predictions of catastrophe. The first ten years passed uneventfully--well, aside from Y2K and a bunch of intelligent computer viruses. Here's a look back at the past decade, and ten of the most terrifying tech scares. ... 2. Conficker Worm: Years: 2008-2009. Predicted outcome: Not applicable. Actual outcome: An estimated 10 million home/business/government computers under its control. The Conficker worm (also known as Downup, Downadup, and Kido), first detected in 2008, was a virus that targeted Windows operating systems. The worm used advanced malware techniques to take over machines and turn them into zombie/host computers that the worm's authors could control remotely. The Conficker infection was believed to be one of the largest computer infections since 2003, and analysts have suggested that as many as 10 million machines were affected. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/373012/top_10_tech_scares_decade/ au: Cyber war on business tackled [sub req'd] A review of Australia?s intelligence agencies ordered by Prime Minister Julia Gillard is expected to examine whether a dedicated cyber security centre should be established to focus on the threat to business systems. http://www.afr.com/p/national/cyber_war_on_business_tackled_ebjq0COJ6oT2FZMqgcKmmJ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Addressing 2010 by Geoff Huston It's January again, and being the start of another year, it's as good a time as any to look at the last 12 months and see what the Internet was up to in 2010. This is an update to the report prepared 12 months ago when looking at 2009, so lets see what has changed in the past 12 months in addressing the Internet, and look at how address allocation information can inform us of the changing nature of the network itself. http://www.circleid.com/posts/addressing_2010/ Global IPv6 test flight geared for 8 June, 2011: Internet society coordinates global cooperation, joined by Google, Facebook and Yahoo! Internet heavyweights Google, Facebook, Yahoo! are among a number of major Web companies in support of World IPv6 day, slated for 8 June 2011. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/373267/global_ipv6_test_flight_geared_8_june_2011/ The Clock Is Ticking: Give IPv6 a Test Drive Major Websites are to test Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) by participating in World IPv6 Day, scheduled for June 8. Google, Facebook, and Yahoo, among others, have agreed to ensure that IPv6 entrances to their sites will be available, along with any network infrastructure needed to receive IPv6 traffic. http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=7CFEC601-1A64-6A71-CE19048EFBE2C687 http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/373261/clock_ticking_give_ipv6_test_drive/ http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/216601/.html Facebook, Google, Yahoo commit to 'World IPv6 Day' trial Several of the Internet's most popular Web sites - including Facebook, Google and Yahoo - have agreed to participate in the first global-scale trial of IPv6, the long-anticipated upgrade to the Internet's main communications protocol known as IPv4. http://www.techworld.com.au/article/373196/facebook_google_yahoo_commit_world_ipv6_day_trial/ http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/373196/facebook_google_yahoo_commit_world_ipv6_day_trial/ http://www.pcworld.com/article/216611/.html Google and Facebook to cut off thousands for World IPv6 Day Some of the internet?s biggest companies are going to deliberately break their web sites for a day, for hundreds of thousands of users, in order to raise awareness of IPv6. http://domainincite.com/google-and-facebook-join-world-ipv6-day/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** WikiLeaks: the latest developments The return of You ask, we search, the Twitter subpoena, Hillary Clinton's 'apology tour' of Arab states, plus more news and views on the US embassy cables leak ... WikiLeaks has been losing more than ?400,000 a week since the publication of the embassy cables, Assange said in an interview with two Swiss newspapers. He also discussed moving WikiLeaks to the country. "Switzerland is a possibility; and our main domain name is a .ch," he told Tribune de Gen?ve and 24 Heures. "Despite strong pressure, the Switch company, which manages domain names [in Switzerland] has held out," he said. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/jan/10/the-us-embassy-cables Assange: WikiLeaks may move to Switzerland WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says the whistle-blowing site is weighing a possible move to Switzerland, according to reports in the country's media. ... "Switzerland is a possibility; and our main domain name is a .ch," Assange told the papers. "Despite strong pressure, the Switch company, which manages domain names [in Switzerland] has held out." http://www.thinq.co.uk/2011/1/10/assange-wikileaks-may-move-switzerland/ WikiLeaks might move to Switzerland WikiLeaks is still considering moving its operations to Switzerland, where its site is currently hosted, its founder Julian Assange has told Swiss media. http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/WikiLeaks_might_move_to_Switzerland.html?cid=29202292 US registrars not obliged to reveal users of privacy services A California court has confirmed that registrar Tucows is not obliged to reveal the details of a registrant using a privacy service http://www.managingip.com/Article/2746337/Latest-News-Magazine/Registrars-not-obliged-to-reveal-users-of-privacy-services.html APNIC staff soldier on in Brisbane The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) has advised its members that services will continue despite the flooding in Queensland. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/373162/brief_apnic_staff_soldier_brisbane/ Netregistry found Larry Bloch tells ? why I?ve joined the Retail Coalition against GST exemptions The Retail Coalition that is campaigning to have the Government abolish the GST exemption on purchases made overseas has an unlikely new member ? domain name reseller and web hosting firm Netregistry. http://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/20110111-netregistry-found-larry-bloch-tells-why-i-ve-joined-the-retail-coalition-against-gst-exemptions.html NetRegistry backs Gerry Harvey?s GST war Local hosting and domain name specialist NetRegistry has backed the Gerry Harvey-fronted push for a level tax playing field between Australian and international retailers, saying the issue was affecting its massive local small to medium business customer base. http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/strategy/44277-netregistry-backs-gerry-harveys-gst-war http://delimiter.com.au/2011/01/10/netregistry-backs-gerry-harveys-gst-war/ http://www.zdnet.com.au/netregistry-joins-retail-gst-push-339308496.htm ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Brisbane web developer cashes in on floods, offers domain name to highest bidder With every tragedy, there are heroes, there are victims and there are spectators. Then there are those people who appear to try to capitalise on crisis and according to the Federal Government, it?s time to put a stop to it. http://www.news.com.au/technology/cashing-in-on-a-crisis/story-e6frfro0-1225987126631 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/cashing-in-on-a-crisis/story-fn7celvh-1225987126631 Bodog Will Own Gambling.com by End of Month Insiders Bet Bodog will be the new owner of Gambling.com by the end of January and insiders are willing to bet on it. http://www.blackjackchamp.com/casino-news/8293-bodog-will-own-gambling-com-by-end-of-month-insiders-bet/ Farmers Bureau Sold Domains for $8.5 million, Including fb.com to FaceBook While Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of FaceBook had revealed on November 15th, 2010 that his company had purchased FB.com from the American Farm Bureau Federation, he did not reveal the purchase price. However the Bureau revealed today on their annual meeting that the organization earned $8.5 million USD by selling a couple of domain names. http://www.domainnamenews.com/domain-sales/farmers-bureau-sold-domains-85-million-including-fbcom-facebook/8600 Facebook Still in Dispute With Organization that Sold it FB.com for $8M+ Now that we know how much FB.com sold for, you may be surprised that Facebook is still embroiled in a dispute with the seller. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/01/12/facebook-still-in-dispute-with-organization-that-sold-it-fb-com-for-8m/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Aussies only use 15% of broadband quota Australians use only 15 per cent of their monthly broadband quota on average, according to a report released this week by Sydney-based telecommunications analyst firm Market Clarity. http://www.zdnet.com.au/aussies-only-use-15-of-broadband-quota-339308506.htm http://www.marketclarity.com.au/freebies/ As the Web Turns: Procter & Gamble Site Is Aimed At Men Hey, fellas, want to spice things up with your lady? Procter & Gamble, the consumer products giant, has some ideas. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/business/13advice.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook Wins Relatively Few Friends in Japan Mark Zuckerberg. Who? Mr. Zuckerberg, the 26-year-old Facebook chief executive and co-founder, may be the man of the moment in the United States and much of the rest of the online world. But here in Japan, one of the globe?s most wired nations, few people have heard of him. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/technology/10facebook.html Britain pulls plug on stars who don't disclose when they're paid to use Twitter [The Times] Celebrities who endorse products on Twitter without declaring that they are paid to do so may face court action, the Government's consumer watchdog said yesterday. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/britain-pulls-plug-on-stars-who-dont-disclose-when-theyre-paid-to-use-twitter/story-e6frg996-1225984870913 Social networking sites reshape Australian floods crisis coverage Gone are the days when Australians only tuned in to TV or radio to keep up with a national crisis. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/social-networking-sites-reshape-crisis-coverage/story-e6frg6n6-1225985892291 German firm develops Internet eraser for photos [AFP] A German firm is poised to launch software allowing users to have photos uploaded to websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Flickr erased automatically after a certain time, its head said Wednesday. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/german-firm-develops-internet-eraser-for-photos-20110113-19ohb.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/german-firm-develops-internet-eraser-for-photos-20110113-19ohb.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ European Parliament considers Web blocking [IDG] Members of the European Parliament Monday prepared their position on whether mandatory E.U.-wide Web blocking of certain sites should be introduced, prompting concern from digital rights groups. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/216370/.html http://www.cio.com.au/article/372913/european_parliament_considers_web_blocking/ Child Porn Blocking Won't Work, Says Euro ISPs The EU's attempts to get all member states to block porn at ISP level would do little to stop the problem, the European Internet Services Providers Association (EuroISPA) has said. http://news.techworld.com/security/3256440/child-porn-blocking-wont-work-says-euro-isps/ http://www.pcworld.com/article/216609/.html ISPs battle EU child pornography filter laws ISPs are battling proposals by officials in Brussels that would force them to block access to child pornography, arguing that such systems only hide the problem. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/01/12/euroispa_eu/ uk: Panorama: quarter of children have looked at pornography in last year A quarter of children have looked at pornography in the last year, according to LSE research used in a Panorama programme about the sexualisation of young children. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8249087/Panorama-quarter-of-children-have-looked-at-pornography-in-last-year.html us: Facebook to start sharing AMBER Alerts Facebook has teamed up with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Department of Justice and the Virginia State Police to make it easier to spread news about abducted children. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2011/01/facebook_to_start_sharing_ambe.html au: Government moves to protect children from cyber bullying and sexual harassment [Courier-Mail] STUDENTS could be formally protected from cyber sexual harassment as the Federal Government this year examines ways to strengthen discrimination laws. http://www.news.com.au/national/government-moves-to-protect-children-from-cyber-bullying-and-sexual-harrasment/story-e6frfkvr-1225985326001 Oz govt steps up fight against cyber bullying, sexual harassment [ANI] Students, nursing women and people with family responsibilities will form the basis for new measures to be adopted by the Australian Government to tackle online bullying and sexual harassment. http://news.smashits.com/612309/Oz-govt-steps-up-fight-against-cyber-bullying-sexual-harassment.htm nz: Facing the danger [Eastern Courier] PLAYGROUNDS are no longer the territory of bullies. Most of it happens online now. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/eastern-courier/4528833/Facing-the-danger/ ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Piracy websites attract billions of visits A study by anti-fraud firm MarkMonitor has offered a snapshot into the changing nature of online piracy. It monitored illegal traffic levels on 43 file-sharing sites and found that they generated more than 53 billion visits per year. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12163161 Piracy sites draw huge traffic: Paper [IDG] 43 websites identified by brand-protection firm MarkMonitor as digital piracy sites generate 53 billion visits per year, according to a new paper sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/373103/piracy_sites_draw_huge_traffic_paper/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9204618/Piracy_sites_draw_huge_traffic http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/216493/.html U.S. court won't review music download antitrust case The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review a ruling that reinstated an antitrust lawsuit alleging major record labels conspired to fix prices and terms under which music would be sold over the Internet. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-54052220110110 US Supreme Court won't block antitrust suit against labels The US Supreme Court has decided that a lawsuit, filed by a group of online music buyers and alleging the four largest record companies conspired nearly a decade ago to fix prices of songs sold online, can now move forward. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20028006-261.html http://www.zdnet.com.au/resumed-music-lovers-take-labels-to-court-339308485.htm US antipiracy lawyers from porn, indie-film sectors unite The two camps that have waged copyright war this year on accused movie pirates --adult and independent filmmakers--are teaming up to fight illegal file sharing. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20028080-261.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Mobile broadband users seen hitting 1 bln in 2011 Mobile broadband subscriptions are on track to surpass 1 billion in 2011 only months after reaching half a billion, Ericsson said on Tuesday, highlighting a key growth driver for the telecom sector. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-54076920110111 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/4535386/Mobile-broadband-users-to-surpass-1-billion Microsoft seeks to block Apple 'App Store' trademark Microsoft has said that it has asked US officials to block Apple's attempt to trademark the words "App Store". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12173224 'App store' covers all retailers of smartphones, gadgets, Microsoft says [AFP] Microsoft is fighting Apple's claim on the name "App Store", arguing the generic term covers all sellers of programs for smartphones. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/app-store-covers-all-retailers-of-smartphones-gadgets-microsoft-says/story-e6frg90o-1225986890373 Microsoft opposes Apple trademark for 'App Store' Apple's effort to trademark the name "App Store" has run in to opposition from Microsoft, which argues the phrase is too generic to register and would restrict competitors' ability to use of the term to describe their own services. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20028238-37.html Research in Motion to filter pornography sites from Indonesian BlackBerrys Research in Motion will filter internet content on BlackBerrys in Indonesia "as soon as possible" to aid an anti-pornography stance. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703779704576073141538884296.html http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/research-in-motion-to-filter-pornography-sites-from-indonesian-blackberrys/story-e6frg90x-1225985409687 BlackBerry maker agrees to Indonesian net filters BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion is to implement internet pornography filters in Indonesia after being threatened with a blackout for its 2 million users in the country. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jan/10/blackberry-indonesia-pornography-filter RIM to Set Up BlackBerry Internet Filters as Indonesia Cracks Down on Porn Research In Motion Ltd. is working to block pornography websites on BlackBerry services in Indonesia as the nation with the world?s largest Muslim population widens a campaign to clean up the Internet. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-10/research-in-motion-says-it-s-committed-to-set-up-web-filters-in-indonesia.html BlackBerry maker to block porn in Indonesia Research In Motion said on Monday it will filter pornographic Internet content for its BlackBerry smartphone users in Indonesia, following government pressure to restrict access to porn sites or face its browsing service being shut down. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE7094VL20110110 http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-54047420110110 Google's Android More Vulnerable to Viruses Than IPhone, Trend Micro Says Google Inc.?s Android operating system for mobile devices is more vulnerable to hackers and viruses than Apple Inc.?s iPhone platform, according to security-software maker Trend Micro Inc. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-12/google-s-android-more-vulnerable-to-viruses-than-iphone-trend-micro-says.html Android, RIM, Nokia Offerings Beat Apple App Store's Growth, Distimo Says Google Inc.?s Android Market, Research In Motion Ltd.?s BlackBerry App World and Nokia Oyj?s Ovi Store added mobile-phone software faster than Apple Inc.?s App Store last year, research company Distimo said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-10/android-rim-nokia-offerings-beat-apple-app-store-s-growth-distimo-says.html http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/smartphone-apps/android-rim-nokia-offerings-beat-apple-app-stores-growth-20110111-19lh2.html http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/smartphone-apps/android-rim-nokia-offerings-beat-apple-app-stores-growth-20110111-19lh2.html ********************** SPAM ********************** Global drop in spam email is 'short lived' A recently observed global decline in spam e-mail could prove to be short lived, researchers say. A network of infected computers used to produce spam has sprung back to life after a lull of several weeks. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12154118 Spam Is Back A holiday hiatus for spammers appears to be over. Rustock, a network of malware-infected personal computers that is the world?s No. 1 source of spam and is believed to be controlled by Russian cybercriminals, stopped sending spam on Christmas Eve, causing global spam levels to plummet. No one really knew why. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/spam-is-back/ Email spam level bounces back after record low A dramatic fall in the levels of emails advertising Viagra products and herbal medicines has caused a precipitous drop in global spam levels ? but today the unsolicited messages showed the first signs of a huge comeback. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jan/10/email-spam-record-activity U.S. still top spammer, report says At the end of 2010, the United States remained on top of the "Dirty Dozen" list of spam relaying nations compiled by IT security firm Sophos. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/216517/.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/373119/u_still_top_spammer_report_says/ http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/373119/u_still_top_spammer_report_says/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/011111-us-still-top-spammer-report.html Sophos: Spam to get more malicious Spam is becoming more malicious in nature as trickery tactics change in line with current user interests, according to a new report released Tuesday by Sophos. http://www.zdnetasia.com/sophos-spam-to-get-more-malicious-62205600.htm ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Author warns of Russia's and China's 'Spinternet': In 'The Net Delusion,' Evgeny Morozov describes how China, Russia, Iran -- and even the U.S. -- pay bloggers to push their views Is the Internet, with its blogs, tweets, e-mail, Web and social networking sites, a force to change places such as Iran, China, Vietnam and Russia into Western-style democracies with the West's ideas about freedom of expression and political rights? http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/011011-author-warns-of-spinternet.html Europe and America host most IP-infringing sites, claims consultancy Most piracy and counterfeit goods sales happen through websites hosted in Europe or America, a brand protection consultancy has said. http://out-law.com/page-11709 International cybersecurity treaty might not be achievable, report says An international treaty to establish regulations for computer security might be unattainable, according to a new report by the EastWest Institute think tank. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110111_9236.php Top 10 tech scares of the decade The dawn of the new millennium prompted fears about the future, but so far reality has not quite matched the predictions of catastrophe. The first ten years passed uneventfully--well, aside from Y2K and a bunch of intelligent computer viruses. Here's a look back at the past decade, and ten of the most terrifying tech scares. ... 2. Conficker Worm: Years: 2008-2009. Predicted outcome: Not applicable. Actual outcome: An estimated 10 million home/business/government computers under its control. The Conficker worm (also known as Downup, Downadup, and Kido), first detected in 2008, was a virus that targeted Windows operating systems. The worm used advanced malware techniques to take over machines and turn them into zombie/host computers that the worm's authors could control remotely. The Conficker infection was believed to be one of the largest computer infections since 2003, and analysts have suggested that as many as 10 million machines were affected. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/373012/top_10_tech_scares_decade/ au: Cyber war on business tackled [sub req'd] A review of Australia?s intelligence agencies ordered by Prime Minister Julia Gillard is expected to examine whether a dedicated cyber security centre should be established to focus on the threat to business systems. http://www.afr.com/p/national/cyber_war_on_business_tackled_ebjq0COJ6oT2FZMqgcKmmJ ************************** PRIVACY ************************** US 1986 Privacy Law Is Outrun by the Web Concerned by the wave of requests for customer data from law enforcement agencies, Google last year set up an online tool showing the frequency of these requests in various countries. In the first half of 2010, it counted more than 4,200 in the United States. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/technology/10privacy.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** nz: McDonald's accused of homophobia in Wi-Fi service McDonald's is being accused of homophobia after it blocked gay websites from its new free Wi-Fi service at its restaurants. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10698914 McDonald's N. Zealand reviews ban on gay websites [AFP] McDonald's New Zealand said it was reviewing its Internet access policies Tuesday after gay groups complained the fast-food giant was blocking their websites from its Wi-Fi network. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/mcdonalds-n-zealand-reviews-ban-on-gay-websites-20110111-19lqi.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/mcdonalds-n-zealand-reviews-ban-on-gay-websites-20110111-19lqi.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Brussels Wants 7-Year Limit on Works Digitized by Google Companies like Google that digitize artworks and books from public bodies should allow other companies and institutions to commercialize those materials after seven years, three experts advising the European Commission said Monday. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/business/global/11google.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Skype Growth Eats Into International Calls International phone traffic is on the slide and one research company reckons that a likely cause is the effect of VoIP service Skype. http://news.techworld.com/personal-tech/3256028/skype-growth-eats-into-international-calls/ http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/216382/.html Mobile airwaves seen key to U.S. competitiveness Global competitiveness in the U.S. telecom and media sector will hinge on making more airwaves available to keep pace with the booming wireless market, government and industry officials agreed on Wednesday. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-54120220110112 au: National Broadband Network tangled up in red tape Not since the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme has Australia undertaken a project of the magnitude of the National Broadband Network. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/national-broadband-network-tangled-up-in-red-tape/story-e6frg8zx-1225985867050 PayPal founder backs New Zealand submarine link An investment fund led by PayPal co-founder and chief executive, Peter Thiel, has become one of the first to financially back a New Zealand submarine cable venture, committing NZ$5.5 million (AUD$4.24 million) to the project. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/373152/paypal_founder_backs_new_zealand_submarine_link/ WiMax update set for go-ahead this year [IDG] A faster, more secure and energy-efficient update to the WiMax wireless Internet standard will get final approval and see commercialization within a year, industry officials said on Monday. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/372859/wimax_update_set_go-ahead_year/ ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** uk: Colin Blanchard could spend life in jail for role in paedophile ring Colin Blanchard, the IT consultant who created and shared images of child sex abuse with nursery worker Vanessa George, could spend the rest of his life in jail for his role as the "hub" of a paedophile ring. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/10/colin-blanchard-jail-paedophile-ring Colin Blanchard's sex abusing women 'competed' "We will never truly know why these women were willing to take part in such horrific abuse. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11970261 Paedophile warned he may never be freed [PA] The leader of an online paedophile ring which drew in four female accomplices was branded "warped, wicked, dangerous, devious and manipulative" by a judge today and warned he may never be released from prison. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/paedophile-gang-members-face-jail-2180587.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§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 FlanneryReceived on Wed Jan 12 2011 - 20:51:26 UTC
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