[DNS] auDA domain name news - 14 March

[DNS] auDA domain name news - 14 March

From: David Goldstein <david>
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:23:45 +1100
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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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ICANN President Announces Major Expansion in Africa - Chehad? Calls for an Increase in African Registrars
<https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/13126/page/1/articles/24897>

Confusion reigns over three ?hijacked? ccTLDs
<http://domainincite.com/12238-confusion-reigns-over-three-hijacked-cctlds>

More Than 60 Percent of Small and Mid-Size Businesses are Unaware of New gTLDs
<https://sedo.com/presse/presse.php?tracked=&partnerid=&language=e&id=553>

Book publishers blast Amazon's plan to control domain names
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57573504-93/book-publishers-blast-amazons-plan-to-control-domain-names/>

In Wake of Cyberattacks, China Seeks New Rules
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/11/world/asia/china-calls-for-global-hacking-rules.html>

U.S. Demands That China End Hacking and Set Cyber Rules
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/world/asia/us-demands-that-china-end-hacking-and-set-cyber-rules.html>

Melbourne IT gets ?sensational price? for digital marketing unit
<http://www.afr.com/p/technology/melbourne_it_gets_sensational_price_xpYJHyIv2lFhO6jz3kDbCI>

Google keyword advertising is waste of money, says eBay report
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/13/google-keyword-advertising-wastes-money-ebay>


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GOVERNANCE
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ITU continues push for controversial telecom regulations
The International Telecommunications Union remains determined to persuade 55 dissenting countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, to agree to controversial new telecom regulations which critics say could damage the current system of internet governance.
<http://www.commsday.com/latest-news/itu-continues-push-for-controversial-telecom-regulations>

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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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ICANN Coordinated Disclosure Guidelines
The Security Team has prepared a set of guidelines to explain ICANN?s Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure Reporting. The guidelines serve two purposes. They define the role ICANN will perform in circumstances where vulnerabilities are reported and ICANN determines that the security, stability or resiliency of the DNS is exploited or threatened. The guidelines also explain how a party, described as a reporter, should disclose information on a vulnerability discovered in a system or network operated by ICANN.
<https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/13126/page/1/articles/24851>
<http://blog.icann.org/2013/03/icann-coordinated-disclosure-guidelines/>

Pre-Beijing New gTLD Update Webinar
The New gTLD Program is moving ahead on several tracks at once. Make sure you have the most up-to-date information by participating in this webinar.
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-12mar13-en.htm>
<https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/13126/page/1/articles/24953>

Without Effective Implementation, a Policy is Just an Idea...
The rules for formal policy development at ICANN are well-defined in the ICANN Bylaws, but the processes and procedures that surround policy implementation are not so clear. As a result, recent discussions at ICANN (particularly in the context of new gTLD efforts) have focused on a critical question ? When is an action part of the implementation of a policy and when does implementation turn into developing policy?
<http://blog.icann.org/2013/03/without-effective-implementation-a-policy-is-just-an-idea/>

A New Track with New G's
I am writing these words on a train en route back home to Washington from New York City and I?m happy to report that the train is moving just a tad faster than development of the new gTLD program. Based on my calculations, it will take considerably less than seven years for me to arrive at DC?s Union Station.
<https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/13126/page/1/articles/24968>
<http://blog.icann.org/2013/03/a-new-track-with-new-gs/>

ICANN President Announces Major Expansion in Africa - Chehad? Calls for an Increase in African Registrars
The President of ICANN said he is moving ahead immediately with plans to have six new ICANN representatives on the African continent.
<https://www.myicann.org/news/topics/13126/page/1/articles/24897>

ICANN: let?s register Africa
Nobody, it seems, wants to miss out on the African growth story (as many telecoms did in the 1990s). Another rallying cry was issued on Tuesday by ICANN ? the body that regulates the naming system for websites ? calling for a rapid expansion of domain registrars, and pushing ahead with six new offices on the continent.
<http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2013/03/12/icann-lets-register-africa/>

ICANN Announces Plans to Add Six New Representatives in Africa
ICANN confirmed on Monday its plans to add six new ICANN representatives across Africa as part of a broader initiative in increasing the number of accredited domain name registrars in the continent over the next two years.
<http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/icann-announces-plans-to-add-six-new-representatives-in-africa>

African domain-name registrars have mixed reaction to ICANN push
African domain-name registrars responded with mixed reactions to details of ICANN's initiative on the continent, saying that while they should now have increased access to the Internet governance organization, increasing the number of registrars isn't all that needs to be done.
<http://www.mis-asia.com/resource/internet/african-domain-name-registrars-have-mixed-reaction-to-icann-push/>
<http://www.cio.com/article/730117/African_domain_name_registrars_have_mixed_reaction_to_ICANN_push>
<http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/456118/african_domain-name_registrars_mixed_reaction_icann_push/>

ICANN Announces African Expansion, But Local Registrars Say More Needs To Be Done
ICANN is moving to expand its presence in Africa, announcing plans to move ahead immediately with six new ICANN representatives on the African continent and a push to increase five-fold to 25 the number of registrars on the continent in two years.
<http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19954>
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/03/13/icann-african-expansion/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-announces-african-expansion-but-local-registrars-say-more-needs-to-be-done.html>

ICANN Releases Guideline for Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure Reporting
ICANN has released a set of guidelines to explain its Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure Reporting. The guidelines serve two purposes, says ICANN: "They define the role ICANN will perform in circumstances where vulnerabilities are reported and ICANN determines that the security, stability or resiliency of the DNS is exploited or threatened. The guidelines also explain how a party, described as a reporter, should disclose information on a vulnerability discovered in a system or network operated by ICANN."
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130312_icann_guideline_for_coordinated_vulnerability_disclosure_reporting/>

ICANN sets guidelines for responsible DNS bug disclosure
ICANN has set out new guidelines that it hopes security researchers will follow when disclosing bugs that affect the domain name system the internet relies on.
<http://www.zdnet.com/icann-sets-guidelines-for-responsible-dns-bug-disclosure-7000012439/>

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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Confusion reigns over three ?hijacked? ccTLDs
Control over three ccTLDs is currently up in the air due to the alleged hijacking of one of the registry operator?s domain names.
<http://domainincite.com/12238-confusion-reigns-over-three-hijacked-cctlds>

Satisfaction with DNS.be remains consistently high!
As it does each year, DNS.be has again surveyed its registrars to gauge their level of satisfaction. And with an overall score of 8.40, satisfaction remains at a consistently high level.
<http://dns.be/en/satisfaction-with-dnsbe-remains-consistently-high>

?.cat? now protects private registrants' personal data [subscription]
The registry for ?.cat?, a generic sponsored TLD aimed at the Catalan community, has announced in a press release that holders of ?.cat? domain names who are private individuals may now mask their personal data on the WHOIS. It remains to be seen whether the registry will implement a particular policy to disclose the registrant's identity in the case of infringing domain names registered by private individuals.
<http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=267ab3af-e6cd-4ad7-a6d8-fd502671d6f1>

Afnic Launches a consultation about a new alternative dispute resolution process
Afnic is launching a public consultation about setting up an alternative dispute resolution procedure, in conjunction with WIPO.
<http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/6758/show/afnic-launches-a-consultation-about-a-new-alternative-dispute-resolution-process.html>

Significant improvements to the .RO domain names registration and management system
Beginning with the date 23rd of February 2013, a new .RO domain name registration service is put into service. This allows real time domain registration through the EPP and REST protocols.
<http://www.rotld.ro/engleza/index_en.html>

More Companies Adopt .rw Domain
Within a period of four months since Rwanda's ccTLD, ".rw" was formally re-delegated from Belgium, more companies/individuals have started registering their websites under the '.rw' domain.
<http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15295&a=64859>
<http://allafrica.com/stories/201303130088.html>

ICANN accredits .tk registry as registrar
Freedom Registry, the company behind the oft-criticized .tk domain registry, seems to have been accredited as an ICANN registrar.
<http://domainincite.com/12239-icann-accredits-tk-registry-as-registrar>

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 - NEW TLDS
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Lack of New gTLD Education Threatens SMB Adoption: Sedo Study
More than half of small- to midsize businesses have no idea that new gTLDs will start being released this year, according to a study released on Monday by domain marketplace Sedo.
<http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/lack-of-new-gtld-education-threatens-smb-adoption-sedo-study>

More Than 60 Percent of Small and Mid-Size Businesses are Unaware of New gTLDs
Sedo ... announced the results of research into whether small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) are aware that thousands of new gTLDs will become available in 2013. The research also looked at what respondents saw as the value of the new gTLDs and whether they planned to take advantage of them.
<https://sedo.com/presse/presse.php?tracked=&partnerid=&language=e&id=553>

Defensive registrations with Donuts could be 95% cheaper than normal domains
Portfolio gTLD applicant Donuts plans to offer trademark owners defensive registrations at 5% to 10% of the cost of a normal domain name registration, co-founder Richard Tindal said today.
<http://domainincite.com/12250-defensive-registrations-with-donuts-could-be-95-cheaper-than-normal-domains>

Authors complain over Amazon's 'anti-competitive' web plans
Authors and publishers have complained about Amazon's growing dominance of the web in a row over the online bookseller's plan to purchase new internet addresses.
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/amazon/9921939/Authors-complain-over-Amazons-anti-competitive-web-plans.html>

Amazon top-level domain plan opposed
Amazon.com's application for TLD strings, including for ".book" and ".read," has come under attack from publishing industry groups and competitor Barnes & Noble.
<http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9237472/Amazon_top_level_domain_plan_opposed>
<http://www.cio.com.au/article/455970/amazon_applications_book_industry_top-level_domains_opposed/>

Book publishers blast Amazon's plan to control domain names
Two industry groups argue that the retailer's plan to control several gTLDs, including .book, .author, and .read, would be anti-competitive.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57573504-93/book-publishers-blast-amazons-plan-to-control-domain-names/>

TLD Health Check from DI is the first business intelligence tool for the new gTLD era
DI today introduces TLD Health Check, an industry-first business intelligence service that enables users to quickly and easily monitor the performance of TLDs.
<http://domainincite.com/12191-tld-health-check-from-di-is-the-first-business-intelligence-tool-for-the-new-gtld-era>

Demand Media hit with first new gTLD objection
With the deadline for filing objections against new gTLD applications fast approaching, the first such objection has been revealed.
<http://domainincite.com/12221-demand-media-hit-with-new-gtld-objection>

Two more gTLD bids kicked out of the program, but .kids gets ICANN funding
Two more applications have been rejected from the new gTLD program, after they tried and failed to have their application fees subsidized by ICANN?s Applicant Support Program.
<http://domainincite.com/12252-two-more-gtld-bids-kicked-out-of-the-program-but-kids-gets-icann-funding>

Google-backed new gTLD industry group appears at WhatDomain.org
The formative domain name industry trade association that DI has blogged about a few times recently has found itself a web site.
<http://domainincite.com/12245-google-backed-new-gtld-industry-group-appears-at-whatdomain-org>

EFOW Wants Total Protection for Geographical Indications Domains in .VIN, .WINE and All Other TLDs by Jean Guillon
This is a letter sent from the European Federation of Origin Wines (EFOW) to the courteous attention of Dr Steve Crocker, Chair of the ICANN Board , Mr Cherine Chalaby, Chair of the new gTLD Program Committee Board, Mr Fadi Chehad?, CEO of ICANN and Mr Akram Atallah, COO of ICANN. This letter, sent by its President Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, was sent today to ICANN and is entitled "ICANN initiatives for the attribution of new generic top-level Internet domains -- PDO and PGI wines' concerns".
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130312_efow_wants_total_protection_for_geographical_indications_domains/>

ICANN New gTLD Program SWOT Analysis: OPPORTUNITIES (Part 3) by Jean Guillon
The SWOT analysis (alternatively SWOT Matrix) is a structured planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. The following is an attempt to apply the SWOT Analysis to ICANN's new gTLD program.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130311_icann_new_gtld_program_swot_analysis_opportunities_part_3/>

New internet domain names create web of confusion [IANS]
Move over ".com", because over the course of the next year the internet is expected to be inundated with thousands of new, generic, domain-name extensions.
<http://www.newkerala.com/news/newsplus/worldnews-143029.html>
<http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/185150/new-internet-domain-names-create-web-confusion>

Rise of global domain squatters?
Publishers this month have voiced concerns that Internet retail company Amazon Inc.?s move to acquire gTLDs such as .book, .read and .author will result in stifling competition by giving it a dominant position in the book and ebook worlds.
<http://www.livemint.com/Industry/HIBd2pR5pMZyYxW9agg9lN/Rise-of-global-domain-squatters.html>

ICANN Domain Expansion Means More Work to Protect Brands Online
The Internet?s address system is about to undergo its largest expansion since it was first created in the 1980s?a change that will force companies to do more work and spend more money to protect their brands, lawyers say.
<http://www.ctlawtribune.com/PubArticleCT.jsp?id=1202591707100>

ICANN's Trademark Clearinghouse will not account for 'typosquatting', says expert
Brand owners may face a costly battle to fight 'typosquatters' under a new TLD regime, an expert has warned.
<http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2013/march/icanns-trademark-clearinghouse-will-not-account-for-typosquatting-says-expert/>

New gTLD Brand Congress Emphasizes Consumers and Innovation by David Mitnick
The New gTLD Brand Congress held earlier this week in New York provided terrific insight into how brands and New gTLD businesses are approaching the space. We saw evidence of forward movement and decision making. Here are some of the main takeaways from the event.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130313_new_gtld_brand_congress_emphasizes_consumers_and_innovation/>

Want to sell your new TLD through Go Daddy? KISS.
A uniform registration process is key to selling your new TLD through Go Daddy.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/03/13/want-to-sell-your-new-tld-through-go-daddy-kiss/>

ICANN Denies Financial Assistance For 2 New gTLD?s & Their Applications Fail
Two new gTLD applications have been rejected by ICANN that were submitted under the SARP financial Assistance program after ICANN decided that they did not meet the criteria for financial assistance.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/03/13/icann-denies-financial-assistance-for-2-new-gtlds-their-applications-fail/>

ICANN New gTLD Program SWOT Analysis: OPPORTUNITIES (Part 3) by Jean Guillon
The SWOT analysis (alternatively SWOT Matrix) is a structured planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. The following is an attempt to apply the SWOT Analysis to ICANN's new gTLD program.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130311_icann_new_gtld_program_swot_analysis_opportunities_part_3/>

ICANN Domain Expansion Means More Work to Protect Brands Online
The Internet?s address system is about to undergo its largest expansion since it was first created in the 1980s?a change that will force companies to do more work and spend more money to protect their brands, lawyers say.
<http://www.law.com/corporatecounsel/PubArticleCC.jsp?id=1202591707100>

New Domain Names Herald Latest Land Grab
Over the weekend, I read with some interest about how ICANN is entertaining applications by individual corporations to control new TLDs.
<http://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerkay/2013/03/11/new-domain-names-herald-latest-land-grab/>

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 - DNS SECURITY
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In Wake of Cyberattacks, China Seeks New Rules
China has issued a new call for international ?rules and cooperation? on Internet espionage issues, while insisting that accusations of Chinese government involvement in recent hacking attacks were part of an international smear campaign.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/11/world/asia/china-calls-for-global-hacking-rules.html>

U.S. Demands That China End Hacking and Set Cyber Rules
The Obama administration demanded Monday that China take steps to stop the widespread hacking of American government and corporate computer networks and that it engage in a dialogue to set standards for security in cyberspace.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/world/asia/us-demands-that-china-end-hacking-and-set-cyber-rules.html>

White House aide says cyber security a challenge to U.S.-China ties
Cyber security has become a growing challenge to the economic relationship between China and the United States and Beijing should recognize the scope of the problem, White House national security adviser Tom Donilon said on Monday.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11/usa-china-cybersecurity-idINDEE92A0EK20130311>
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11/uk-usa-china-cybersecurity-idUKBRE92A0SV20130311>

China says willing to discuss cyber security with the U.S
China offered on Tuesday to talk with the United States about cyber security amid an escalating war of words between the two sides on computer hacking, but suspicion is as deep in Beijing as it is in Washington about the accusations and counter-accusations.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/12/usa-china-cybersecurity-idINDEE92A0EK20130312>
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/12/uk-usa-china-cybersecurity-idUKBRE92A0SV20130312>

Cyber threats against U.S. "ramping up", Obama says
Cyber security threats against the United States are growing, President Barack Obama said before a meeting on Wednesday with corporate leaders about the issue, as concerns rise about hacking attacks emanating from China.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/uk-usa-obama-cyber-idUKBRE92C0JX20130313>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/usa-obama-cyber-threat-idINDEE92C0A220130313>

U.S. welcomes China willingness to discuss cyber threats
The White House on Wednesday welcomed China's willingness to hold talks with Washington about cyber security threats, amid growing U.S. concerns about hacking attacks emanating from China.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/uk-usa-china-cybersecurity-whitehouse-idUKBRE92C0XE20130313>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/usa-china-cyber-security-white-house-idINDEE92C0D120130313>

Cyber espionage: China and the US look for talks
Global Network Security China and the US have both signalled that they are prepared to talk over the increasingly heated issue of cyber espionage, but not without conditions being met for both sides
<http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Cyber-espionage-China-and-the-US-look-for-talks-1821671.html>

Pentagon creating teams to launch cyberattacks as threat grows
The Pentagon?s Cyber Command will create 40 offensive cyber-teams by the fall of 2015 to help defend the nation against major computer attacks and assist combat commands as they plan offensive capabilities, Gen. Keith Alexander testified to Congress on Tuesday.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-creating-teams-to-launch-cyberattacks-as-threat-grows/2013/03/12/35aa94da-8b3c-11e2-9838-d62f083ba93f_story.html>

U.S. Official Cites Cyberattack Risks
Relatively unsophisticated hackers could eventually disrupt computer networks running parts of vital functions like the power grid, a U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday in an annual assessment of world-wide threats.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323826704578356182878527280.html>

Spy Chief Calls Cyberattacks Top Threat to the U.S.
The nation?s top intelligence official warned Congress on Tuesday that a cyberattack could cripple America?s infrastructure and economy and suggested that such attacks pose the most dangerous immediate threat to the United States, more pressing than an attack by global terrorist networks.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/us/intelligence-official-warns-congress-that-cyberattacks-pose-threat-to-us.html>

In cyberwarfare, rules of engagement still hard to define
When Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the Pentagon?s Cyber Command, comes to the Hill on Tuesday, he will probably be asked to describe his plans for building a military force to defend the nation against cyberattacks.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-cyberwarfare-rules-of-engagement-still-hard-to-define/2013/03/10/0442507c-88da-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html>

us: Cyber-attacks a bigger threat than Al Qaeda, officials say
Cyber-attacks and cyber-espionage pose a greater potential danger to U.S. national security than Al Qaeda and other militants that have dominated America's global focus since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation's top intelligence officials said Tuesday.
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-worldwide-threats-20130313,0,3374690.story>

Security Leader Says U.S. Would Retaliate Against Cyberattacks
The chief of the military?s newly created Cyber Command told Congress on Tuesday that he is establishing 13 teams of programmers and computer experts who could carry out offensive cyberattacks on foreign nations if the United States were hit with a major attack on its own networks, the first time the Obama administration has publicly admitted to developing such weapons for use in wartime.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/us/intelligence-official-warns-congress-that-cyberattacks-pose-threat-to-us.html>

U.S. Steps Up Alarm Over Cyberattacks
The nation's top spies warned Tuesday of the rising threat of cyberattacks to national and economic security, comparing the concern more directly than before to the dangers posed by global terrorism.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323826704578356182878527280.html>

DDoS, Malware Attacks Cost Victims Thousands Of Dollars A Day
New eye-popping data shows the cost of cyberattacks to victim organizations: DDoS attacks spend as much as $6,500 per hour to recover from them, and spend $3,000 a day for up to 30 days recovering from malware infections.
<http://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/167901121/security/news/240150660/ddos-malware-attacks-cost-victims-thousands-of-dollars-a-day>

Security and Reliability: A Closer Look at Penetration Testing by Brett Watson
As noted in my first article of this series (see part one, two and three), security and reliability encompass holistic network assessments, vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. This month I'd like to go deeper into penetration testing; however, first, let's go back for a quick refresh before getting started.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130312_security_and_reliability_a_closer_look_at_penetration_testing/>

nz: Businesses prepare for cyberattacks, in secret
A group of NZ organisations have established voluntary standards to guard against digital attacks
<http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/businesses-prepare-for-cyberattacks-in-secret>

au: Thriller writer John Green calls for unity to tackle cyber war
Investment banker turned company director and thriller writer John Green urged closer links between governments and the private sector to fight cyber attacks against agencies like the Reserve Bank of Australia.
<http://www.afr.com/p/technology/thriller_writer_john_green_calls_lkMGJre58vpg7u9Un8Z5pN>

au: RBA confirms cyber attacks
The Reserve Bank of Australia has confirmed hackers penetrated its computers but said they failed to steal sensitive data or corrupt networks, amid growing alarm that sophisticated cyber attacks may leave companies unaware they have been compromised.
<http://www.afr.com/p/national/rba_confirms_cyber_attacks_ZsVpeJas8JX6UXCLwOVJKP>

au: Cyber attacks repelled by IT security: RBA
THE Reserve Bank has denied reports that its computer systems or networks have been compromised by hackers, saying that at no point has any data or information been lost or its systems corrupted.
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/markets/cyber-attacks-repelled-by-it-security-rba/story-e6frg916-1226595057872>

au: Cyber defence inadequate, say experts
The cyber attacks on the Reserve Bank of Australia revealed by The Australian Financial Review on Monday are common among the country?s financial institutions. And the threats outweigh the available defence, security experts said.
<http://www.afr.com/p/technology/cyber_defence_inadequate_say_experts_JUNn6sSBsk99UBBHJ0tf5N>

Cyber cold war puts Australia in tough spot
The hacking of the Reserve Bank of Australia by state and non-state actors is a manifestation of our increasingly polarised world.
<http://www.afr.com/f/free/national/cyber_cold_war_puts_australia_in_LRUbdLtLCpyZsMsC0s73xN>

Singapore to open Cyber Security Lab to train law enforcers
Facility will be set up by 2014 to train officers to counter cyber attacks, as deputy prime minister Teo Chee Hean names cybersecurity as one of Singapore's key challenges.
<http://www.zdnet.com/sg/singapore-to-open-cyber-security-lab-to-train-law-enforcers-7000012392/>

Videos and articles for hacked site recovery
We created a new Help for hacked sites informational series to help all levels of site owners understand how they can recover their hacked site. The series includes over a dozen articles and 80+ minutes of informational videos?from the basics of what it means for a site to be hacked to diagnosing specific malware infection types.
<http://googleonlinesecurity.blogspot.de/2013/03/videos-and-articles-for-hacked-site.html>

Go Daddy EU Hosting Environment Hit by DDoS Attack
Go Daddy customers in Europe experienced intermittent outages starting on Monday afternoon due to a large DDoS attack in its hosting environment, according to a report by The Register.
<http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/go-daddy-eu-hosting-environment-hit-by-ddos-attack>

GoDaddy gone, daddy: Websites go titsup in server assault
A number of websites hosted by GoDaddy were blasted offline this week in a distributed denial-of-service attack.
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/13/godaddy_ddos_attack_european_servers/>

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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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Procter & Gamble guilty of reverse domain name hijacking
A World Intellectual Property Organization panel has found Procter & Gamble guilty of attempted reverse domain name hijacking over the domain swash.com.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/03/11/procter-gamble-guilty-of-reverse-domain-name-hijacking/>

Proctor & Gamble Not Too Big to Fail - Reverse Domain Hijacking Attempt Tarnishes Famous Name
If there was a Dumbest UDRP Filing of the Year Award consumer products giant Proctor & Gamble would probably have the 2013 dishonor sewed up and we are not even through the first quarter of the year yet.
<http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2013/dailyposts/20130311.htm>

**********************
 - IPv4/IPv6
**********************
China's new internet backbone explained: verified sources, IPv6 at the core
While most of the world is still coming to grips with malware and weaning itself off of IPv4, we're just learning that China has been thinking further ahead. A newly publicized US Navy report reveals that China's new internet backbone revolves around an IPv6-based architecture that leans on Source Address Validation Architecture, or SAVA.
<http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/11/chinas-new-internet-backbone-detailed-for-the-public/>

GlobalSign First CA to Offer Certificate Revocation Status Services over IPv6
GlobalSign announced on Wednesday that it is the first Certificate Authority to provide all certificate revocation status services over IPv6.
<http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/globalsign-first-ca-to-offer-certificate-revocation-status-services-over-ipv6>

**********************
 - MISCELLANEOUS
**********************
Melbourne IT gets ?sensational price? for digital marketing unit
ASX-listed technology services provider Melbourne IT has sold off its digital marketing division to US company Corporation Services Company for $152.5 million, in what analysts have labelled a ?sensational price? for the unit.
<http://www.afr.com/p/technology/melbourne_it_gets_sensational_price_xpYJHyIv2lFhO6jz3kDbCI>

Now Melbourne IT has sold its DBS, what is the rest of the firm worth?
WE won't go so far as to declare that Melbourne IT has had its Alan Bond moment, but the sale of its digital brand services (DBS) to a US buyer for $152 million validates the company's plaintive cry that the value of its businesses equalled more than the stock's $160m market worth.
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/now-melbourne-it-has-sold-its-dbs-what-is-the-rest-of-the-firm-worth/story-e6frg9lo-1226596368748>

Melbourne IT sells corporate domain business to CSC
Australian-based registrar Melbourne IT (MIT) has sold its corporate domain name business to US company Corporation Services Company (CSC) for A$ 152.5 million (just over US$ 157 million). A "sensational price" according to Australian analysts quoted in the country's financial press.
<http://www.stephanevangelder.com/archives/435-Melbourne-IT-sells-corporate-domain-business-to-CSC.html>

Melbourne IT Sells Digital Brand Services Division to Corporation Service Company [news release]
Melbourne IT today announced it had entered into definitive agreements with respect to the sale of its Digital Brand Services (DBS) division to US-based Corporation Services Company (CSC) for a cash consideration of A$152.5 million. The completion of the transaction occurred simultaneously with execution of these agreements.
<http://www.melbourneit.info/news-centre/Releases/ASX_announcement_FINAL_120313.pdf>

Melbourne IT Sells Digital Marketing Division To CSC
Melbourne IT has sold off its digital marketing division, Digital Brand Services, to the US-based Corporation Services Company (CSC) for A$152.5 million.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/03/13/melbourne-it-sells-digital-marketing-division/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/melbourne-it-sells-digital-marketing-division-to-csc.html>

VeriSign's Slowing Growth Means Stock Should Register $41
Verisign is primarily known as the authoritative registry for .com and .net gTLDs. It also operates a diverse array of network infrastructure, including two of the Internet?s 13 root name servers and the back-end systems for the .gov, .jobs, and .edu TLDs. The company?s share price has risen almost 15% since January 24, after the company reported steady revenue growth in 2012 and gross margins improved to almost 80%.
<http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2013/03/13/verisigns-slowing-growth-means-stock-should-register-41/>

Melbourne IT gets out of brand protection with $157m sale to CSC
Corporation Service Company has acquired Melbourne IT?s flagship digital brand management service for a ridiculously expensive AUD 153.5 million ($157m).
<http://domainincite.com/12229-melbourne-it-gets-out-of-brand-protection-with-157m-sale-to-csc>

Indian govt. makes IP addresses cheaper and easier to buy, with NIR
With the inauguration of the National Internet Registry under Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN), the adoption of IPv6 is bound to not only get cheaper, but also widespread.
<http://www.thinkdigit.com/Internet/Indian-govt-makes-IP-addresses-cheaper-and_13853.html>

**********************
 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
**********************
Google keyword advertising is waste of money, says eBay report
Businesses may be wasting billions of pounds a year buying up keyword advertising on search engines such as Google, a new report has claimed.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/13/google-keyword-advertising-wastes-money-ebay>

Historic Single- & Two-Character .ORG Auction to Bring Great Names Online
Go Daddy and Public Interest Registry (PIR) are teaming up to auction 42 valuable single- and two-character domain names like I.ORG, S.ORG and TS.ORG on GoDaddy.com. Short and memorable, these domain names are expected to demand high interest in the aftermarket.
<http://www.godaddy.com/news/article/historic-single-two-character-org-auction-to-bring-great-names-online.aspx>

After a Decade of Creating Research Tools for Domain Investors Luc Lezon Paints His Masterpiece at Dropping.com
When I first got into the domain business over a decade ago, one of the first people I came across was Luc Lezon, a software wizard who, after initially starting out as a domain investor himself, switched his attention to creating tools that made it easier for other domain investors to find quality domain names.
<http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2013/dailyposts/20130312.htm>

**********************
INTERNET USE
**********************
Google keyword advertising is waste of money, says eBay report
Businesses may be wasting billions of pounds a year buying up keyword advertising on search engines such as Google, a new report has claimed.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/13/google-keyword-advertising-wastes-money-ebay>

Kiwis doubling up on screen time - Google
Watching television while simultaneously browsing the net on a smartphone, tablet or laptop is becoming the new norm in New Zealand living rooms, according to Google.
<http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10870754>

Kiwis can't keep eyeballs on one screen
Google says 85 per cent of New Zealanders "regularly dual-screen" by watching the television at the same time as using their smartphone or computer.
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/8415121/Kiwis-can-t-keep-eyeballs-on-one-screen>

**********************
SOCIAL MEDIA
**********************
'Like' it or not, privacy has changed in the Facebook age
Of all the great inventions, the front door might be the least appreciated. But for many of our forebears, the idea that you could retreat into a house to escape the world ? and a room of your own to escape your family ? would have seemed incredible.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/12/privacy-facebook-lesbians-relax-online>

Facebook users unwittingly revealing intimate secrets, study finds
Facebook users are unwittingly revealing intimate secrets ? including their sexual orientation, drug use and political beliefs ? using only public "like" updates, according to a study of online privacy.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/11/facebook-users-reveal-intimate-secrets>

How Facebook is helping researchers in getting to know you
The news that researchers can track down intimate details of your life ? your race, politics, sexual orientation or recreational drug habits ? simply from which bands, brands and shows you like on Facebook may give some cause for alarm, but could easily induce shrugs from others.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/11/facebook-researchers-getting-to-know-you>

Facebook 'likes' predict personality
Sexuality, political leanings and even intelligence can be gleaned from the things you choose to "like" on Facebook, a study suggests.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21699305>

Facebook 'likes' can reveal your secrets, study finds
Your Facebook "likes" might be revealing more than you know about your private life.
<http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/11/tech/social-media/facebook-likes-study/index.html>

How 'big data' is changing lives
Data is increasingly defining us - from the information we share on the web, to that collected by the numerous companies with whom we interact. Intrigued by the sheer scales involved, photojournalist Rick Smolan wanted to see how data was transforming the world.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21535739>

Lars Rasmussen: the brains behind Facebook's future
For a man that made his career out of helping millions of people find their way around, Lars Rasmussen is frank about his own navigational shortcomings.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21668171>

FTC eyes mobile, social media with latest online ad rules
Advertisers should think twice about placing promotional messages on mobile and social media platforms like Twitter if those ads require disclosures or disclaimers to avoid being deceptive or unfair, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Tuesday.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/uk-ftc-socialmedia-idUKBRE92C01J20130313>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/ftc-social-media-idINDEE92C01920130313>

FTC Staff Revises Online Advertising Disclosure Guidelines [news release]
The Federal Trade Commission today released new guidance for mobile and other online advertisers that explains how to make disclosures clear and conspicuous to avoid deception.
<http://ftc.gov/opa/2013/03/dotcom.shtm>

FTC Announces Video With Tips for Mobile App Developers - Video Provides Important Information on Advertising Rules, Privacy
The Federal Trade Commission has released a new video designed to give mobile app developers information they can use to ensure that their innovative efforts also protect the interests of consumers.
<http://ftc.gov/opa/2013/03/mobileapps.shtm>

**********************
ONLINE TV, MUSIC & PIRACY
**********************
BitTorrent goes straight in effort to end association with piracy
BitTorrent, the brand that enables much of the world's illegal downloading, is trying to go straight with a legitimate service for digital music.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/13/bittorrent-goes-straight-piracy-illegal-downloads>

Pirate Bay conviction for assisted copyright infringement was justified, EU human rights court rules [IDG]
The European Court of Human Rights has rejected an appeal from two founders of The Pirate Bay, saying that a Swedish court was right to put copyright law ahead of their right to receive and impart information.
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/031313-pirate-bay-conviction-for-assisted-267655.html>

**********************
MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Pew: Teen smartphone use soars in the US - half of the teenage owners of smartphones access the Internet mainly through their phones [IDG]
The number of teenagers in the U.S. using smartphones has risen sharply, with half of them accessing the Internet mainly through the device, according to a recent study.
<http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9237549/Pew_Teen_smartphone_use_soars_in_the_US>
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/031313-pew-teen-smartphone-use-soars-267647.html>

Study: 25 percent of teens access Internet with smartphones
The American teenager continues to lead the nation in smartphone use, with one-quarter of teens accessing the Internet mostly from their cellphones, according to a study.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/study-25-percent-of-teens-access-internet-with-smartphones/2013/03/12/45c43bc2-8b7e-11e2-9f54-f3fdd70acad2_story.html>

Teens and Technology 2013
Overview: Smartphone adoption among American teens has increased substantially and mobile access to the internet is pervasive. One in four teens are ?cell-mostly? internet users, who say they mostly go online using their phone and not using some other device such as a desktop or laptop computer.
<http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Teens-and-Tech.aspx>

**********************
ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
**********************
us: 'Revenge porn' site owner Hunter Moore sued for defamation
The founder of a so-called "revenge porn" website has been ordered to pay $250,000 (?170,000) in damages for defamation.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21740386>

us: You've been served ... through Facebook?
This is one poke no Facebook user wants. A Manhattan federal judge has ruled that U.S. government lawyers can serve legal documents on a group of defendants in India through the social networking site.
<http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/Legal/News/2013/03_-_March/You_ve_been_served_____through_Facebook_/>

FTC can serve foreign defendants via Facebook, federal judge rules
The Hague Service Convention doesn't expressly authorize service on foreign defendants by email or social media accounts.
<http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/ftc_can_serve_foreign_defendants_via_facebook_federal_judge_rules/>

nz: Shoplifters named on Facebook page
A Facebook page set up to name and shame Rotorua shoplifters with personal photos has been set up and taken down - but not without hundreds of Rotorua people seeing it first.
<http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/shoplifters-named-on-facebook-page/1788127/>
<http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/shoplifters-named-on-facebook-page/1788127/>
<http://www.news.com.au/technology/rotorua-a-new-zealand-city-had-a-facebook-page-naming-shoplifters/story-e6frfro0-1226595494207>
<http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/technology/rotorua-a-new-zealand-city-had-a-facebook-page-naming-shoplifters/story-fn7bfu22-1226595494207>
<http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10870716>

nz: Rotorua had a Facebook page naming shoplifters
A FACEBOOK page was set up to name and shame shoplifters with personal pictures and details in a city popular with tourists.
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/rotorua-a-new-zealand-city-had-a-facebook-page-naming-shoplifters/story-e6frg6n6-1226595494207>

**********************
SECURITY
**********************
In Wake of Cyberattacks, China Seeks New Rules
China has issued a new call for international ?rules and cooperation? on Internet espionage issues, while insisting that accusations of Chinese government involvement in recent hacking attacks were part of an international smear campaign.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/11/world/asia/china-calls-for-global-hacking-rules.html>

U.S. Demands That China End Hacking and Set Cyber Rules
The Obama administration demanded Monday that China take steps to stop the widespread hacking of American government and corporate computer networks and that it engage in a dialogue to set standards for security in cyberspace.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/world/asia/us-demands-that-china-end-hacking-and-set-cyber-rules.html>

White House aide says cyber security a challenge to U.S.-China ties
Cyber security has become a growing challenge to the economic relationship between China and the United States and Beijing should recognize the scope of the problem, White House national security adviser Tom Donilon said on Monday.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11/usa-china-cybersecurity-idINDEE92A0EK20130311>
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11/uk-usa-china-cybersecurity-idUKBRE92A0SV20130311>

China says willing to discuss cyber security with the U.S
China offered on Tuesday to talk with the United States about cyber security amid an escalating war of words between the two sides on computer hacking, but suspicion is as deep in Beijing as it is in Washington about the accusations and counter-accusations.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/12/usa-china-cybersecurity-idINDEE92A0EK20130312>
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/12/uk-usa-china-cybersecurity-idUKBRE92A0SV20130312>

Cyber threats against U.S. "ramping up", Obama says
Cyber security threats against the United States are growing, President Barack Obama said before a meeting on Wednesday with corporate leaders about the issue, as concerns rise about hacking attacks emanating from China.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/uk-usa-obama-cyber-idUKBRE92C0JX20130313>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/usa-obama-cyber-threat-idINDEE92C0A220130313>

U.S. welcomes China willingness to discuss cyber threats
The White House on Wednesday welcomed China's willingness to hold talks with Washington about cyber security threats, amid growing U.S. concerns about hacking attacks emanating from China.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/uk-usa-china-cybersecurity-whitehouse-idUKBRE92C0XE20130313>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/usa-china-cyber-security-white-house-idINDEE92C0D120130313>

Cyber espionage: China and the US look for talks
Global Network Security China and the US have both signalled that they are prepared to talk over the increasingly heated issue of cyber espionage, but not without conditions being met for both sides
<http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Cyber-espionage-China-and-the-US-look-for-talks-1821671.html>

Pentagon creating teams to launch cyberattacks as threat grows
The Pentagon?s Cyber Command will create 40 offensive cyber-teams by the fall of 2015 to help defend the nation against major computer attacks and assist combat commands as they plan offensive capabilities, Gen. Keith Alexander testified to Congress on Tuesday.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-creating-teams-to-launch-cyberattacks-as-threat-grows/2013/03/12/35aa94da-8b3c-11e2-9838-d62f083ba93f_story.html>

U.S. Official Cites Cyberattack Risks
Relatively unsophisticated hackers could eventually disrupt computer networks running parts of vital functions like the power grid, a U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday in an annual assessment of world-wide threats.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323826704578356182878527280.html>

Spy Chief Calls Cyberattacks Top Threat to the U.S.
The nation?s top intelligence official warned Congress on Tuesday that a cyberattack could cripple America?s infrastructure and economy and suggested that such attacks pose the most dangerous immediate threat to the United States, more pressing than an attack by global terrorist networks.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/us/intelligence-official-warns-congress-that-cyberattacks-pose-threat-to-us.html>

In cyberwarfare, rules of engagement still hard to define
When Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the Pentagon?s Cyber Command, comes to the Hill on Tuesday, he will probably be asked to describe his plans for building a military force to defend the nation against cyberattacks.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-cyberwarfare-rules-of-engagement-still-hard-to-define/2013/03/10/0442507c-88da-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html>

us: Cyber-attacks a bigger threat than Al Qaeda, officials say
Cyber-attacks and cyber-espionage pose a greater potential danger to U.S. national security than Al Qaeda and other militants that have dominated America's global focus since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation's top intelligence officials said Tuesday.
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-worldwide-threats-20130313,0,3374690.story>

Security Leader Says U.S. Would Retaliate Against Cyberattacks
The chief of the military?s newly created Cyber Command told Congress on Tuesday that he is establishing 13 teams of programmers and computer experts who could carry out offensive cyberattacks on foreign nations if the United States were hit with a major attack on its own networks, the first time the Obama administration has publicly admitted to developing such weapons for use in wartime.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/us/intelligence-official-warns-congress-that-cyberattacks-pose-threat-to-us.html>

U.S. Steps Up Alarm Over Cyberattacks
The nation's top spies warned Tuesday of the rising threat of cyberattacks to national and economic security, comparing the concern more directly than before to the dangers posed by global terrorism.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323826704578356182878527280.html>

DDoS, Malware Attacks Cost Victims Thousands Of Dollars A Day
New eye-popping data shows the cost of cyberattacks to victim organizations: DDoS attacks spend as much as $6,500 per hour to recover from them, and spend $3,000 a day for up to 30 days recovering from malware infections.
<http://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/167901121/security/news/240150660/ddos-malware-attacks-cost-victims-thousands-of-dollars-a-day>

Security and Reliability: A Closer Look at Penetration Testing by Brett Watson
As noted in my first article of this series (see part one, two and three), security and reliability encompass holistic network assessments, vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. This month I'd like to go deeper into penetration testing; however, first, let's go back for a quick refresh before getting started.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130312_security_and_reliability_a_closer_look_at_penetration_testing/>

nz: Businesses prepare for cyberattacks, in secret
A group of NZ organisations have established voluntary standards to guard against digital attacks
<http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/businesses-prepare-for-cyberattacks-in-secret>

au: Thriller writer John Green calls for unity to tackle cyber war
Investment banker turned company director and thriller writer John Green urged closer links between governments and the private sector to fight cyber attacks against agencies like the Reserve Bank of Australia.
<http://www.afr.com/p/technology/thriller_writer_john_green_calls_lkMGJre58vpg7u9Un8Z5pN>

au: RBA confirms cyber attacks
The Reserve Bank of Australia has confirmed hackers penetrated its computers but said they failed to steal sensitive data or corrupt networks, amid growing alarm that sophisticated cyber attacks may leave companies unaware they have been compromised.
<http://www.afr.com/p/national/rba_confirms_cyber_attacks_ZsVpeJas8JX6UXCLwOVJKP>

au: Cyber attacks repelled by IT security: RBA
THE Reserve Bank has denied reports that its computer systems or networks have been compromised by hackers, saying that at no point has any data or information been lost or its systems corrupted.
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/markets/cyber-attacks-repelled-by-it-security-rba/story-e6frg916-1226595057872>

au: Cyber defence inadequate, say experts
The cyber attacks on the Reserve Bank of Australia revealed by The Australian Financial Review on Monday are common among the country?s financial institutions. And the threats outweigh the available defence, security experts said.
<http://www.afr.com/p/technology/cyber_defence_inadequate_say_experts_JUNn6sSBsk99UBBHJ0tf5N>

Cyber cold war puts Australia in tough spot
The hacking of the Reserve Bank of Australia by state and non-state actors is a manifestation of our increasingly polarised world.
<http://www.afr.com/f/free/national/cyber_cold_war_puts_australia_in_LRUbdLtLCpyZsMsC0s73xN>

Singapore to open Cyber Security Lab to train law enforcers
Facility will be set up by 2014 to train officers to counter cyber attacks, as deputy prime minister Teo Chee Hean names cybersecurity as one of Singapore's key challenges.
<http://www.zdnet.com/sg/singapore-to-open-cyber-security-lab-to-train-law-enforcers-7000012392/>

Videos and articles for hacked site recovery
We created a new Help for hacked sites informational series to help all levels of site owners understand how they can recover their hacked site. The series includes over a dozen articles and 80+ minutes of informational videos?from the basics of what it means for a site to be hacked to diagnosing specific malware infection types.
<http://googleonlinesecurity.blogspot.de/2013/03/videos-and-articles-for-hacked-site.html>

**********************
PRIVACY
**********************
Google Concedes That Drive-by Prying Violated Privacy
Google on Tuesday acknowledged to state officials that it had violated people?s privacy during its Street View mapping project when it casually scooped up passwords, e-mail and other personal information from unsuspecting computer users.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/technology/google-pays-fine-over-street-view-privacy-breach.html>

Big data: privacy concerns stealing the headlines but IP issues of equal importance to businesses, says expert
Businesses need to plan properly before exploring big data opportunities in order to give proper consideration to "fundamental" related legal issues, an expert has said.
<http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2013/march/big-data-privacy-concerns-stealing-the-headlines-but-ip-issues-of-equal-importance-to-businesses-says-expert/>

Ad group: New Firefox cookie plan will boost spam
The Interactive Advertising Bureau blasted plans for Firefox to block third-party cookies by default, a move designed to better reflect user privacy concerns.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57573928-93/ad-group-new-firefox-cookie-plan-will-boost-spam/>

**********************
CENSORSHIP
**********************
Banning porn in the EU won't make women and men equal
In 24 hours time MEPs will vote on a "ban on all forms of pornography" in a bid to "eliminate gender stereotypes" that demean women. But porn is not the cause of gender stereotypes; so eliminating it will not end them, argues Dr Brooke Magnanti.
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/sex/9922045/Banning-porn-in-the-EU-wont-make-women-and-men-equal.html>

**************************
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
**************************
Is Skype a Telephone Operator? France to Investigate
French regulators said Tuesday that they had asked prosecutors to investigate Microsoft?s Skype unit over its failure to register as a telecommunications operator in accordance with local law, raising the question of what constitutes a telephone company in the age of Internet-based communications.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/technology/france-refers-skype-to-prosecutors.html>

France pushes for controls on Skype calls
French prosecutors have been asked to investigate Microsoft?s Skype because of its failure to register in the country as a telecoms operator, in the latest attempt by France to control the activities of global internet companies.
<http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e424b438-8b3b-11e2-8fcf-00144feabdc0.html>

France says Skype could face prosecution for failure to register as a telecom
French regulators have said Skype could face prosecution for failing to register as an ?electronic communications operator? with France?s telecom regulator. The agency, known by its French acronym ARCEP, wrote in an English-language statement on Tuesday that ?failure to comply with this obligation does, however, constitute a criminal offense.?
<http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/03/france-says-skype-could-face-prosecution-for-failure-to-register-as-a-telecom/>

French Regulator Says Skype Must Register As a Telco Or Risk Prosecution [IDG]
The French Telecommunications and Posts Regulator, ARCEP, has referred Skype to the Paris public prosecutor, asking it to investigate whether Skype has failed to comply with an obligation to register as a telecommunications operator. Registered operators must provide emergency calling services and allow for lawful interception of communications.
<http://www.cio.com/article/730116/French_Regulator_Says_Skype_Must_Register_As_a_Telco_Or_Risk_Prosecution>
<http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/456117/french_regulator_says_skype_must_register_telco_risk_prosecution/>

France Proposes New Rules for Internet Equal Access
The French government on Tuesday called for a law requiring Internet service providers to give all the traffic on their networks equal priority, saying existing rules were insufficient for protecting free speech online and ensuring fair competition among Web publishers.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/technology/france-proposes-new-rules-for-internet-equal-access.html>

Internet Freedom Advocates Pleased with European Parliament Backtrack on Porn Ban [IDG]
Internet freedom advocates celebrated a victory Tuesday after the European Parliament decided against calling for a ban on Internet pornography.
<http://www.cio.com/article/730111/Internet_Freedom_Advocates_Pleased_with_European_Parliament_Backtrack_on_Porn_Ban>

Google Pays Fine Over Street View Privacy Breach
Google has agreed to pay $7 million as a result of an investigation brought by a coalition of state attorneys general, officials said Tuesday, in one of the largest fines for violating privacy in the digital age.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/technology/google-pays-fine-over-street-view-privacy-breach.html>

Google hit by $7m Street View fine in US
Google has agreed to pay a $7m (?4.6m) fine for collecting people's personal data without authorisation as part of its Street View service.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21762545>

Google to pay $7 million for privacy violation
Google on Tuesday agreed to pay a group of states $7 million to settle complaints that its Street View cars violated people's privacy.
<http://money.cnn.com/2013/03/12/technology/google-privacy-settlement/index.html>

us: FTC warns advertisers to keep mobile ads clear and truthful
With consumers increasingly connecting to the Internet on their phones and tablet computers, advertisers got a reminder from the federal government Tuesday that they must still abide by consumer protection laws when putting ads on mobile devices.
<http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-ftc-to-advertisers-digital-ads-must-be-clear-on-mobile-devices-20130312,0,3209110.story>

FTC Staff Revises Online Advertising Disclosure Guidelines [news release]
The Federal Trade Commission today released new guidance for mobile and other online advertisers that explains how to make disclosures clear and conspicuous to avoid deception. Updating guidance known as Dot Com Disclosures, which was released in 2000, the newcover of dot com disclosures report FTC staff guidance, .com Disclosures: How to Make Effective Disclosures in Digital Advertising, takes into account the expanding use of smartphones with small screens and the rise of social media marketing. It also contains mock ads that illustrate the updated principles.
<http://ftc.gov/opa/2013/03/dotcom.shtm>

au: Conroy push for gambling harm plan
Opening up the Australian online gambling market to more legal betting avenues will not occur until Australia has uniform harm minimisation and consumer protection guidelines, the federal government says.
<http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/conroy-push-for-gambling-harm-plan-20130311-2fwft.html>
<http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/cards-stacked-against-net-betting-20130311-2fwik.html>

CISPA 2013: U.S. Needs Better Rules to Regulate the Internet
A few weeks ago, the controversial Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) was re-introduced in the House of Representatives. Opponents immediately took up the fight against the bill, with internet freedom activists sending more than 300,000 signatures to Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Chair of the House Intelligence Committee. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently launched a public relations campaign urging citizens to pressure President Obama to veto CISPA.
<http://www.policymic.com/articles/29288/cispa-2013-u-s-needs-better-rules-to-regulate-the-internet>

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MISCELLANEOUS
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S'pore fiber users not jumping on home networks
Despite growing prevalence of fiber-to-the-home, many do not see it as a driver for adopting home networks and prefer other methods of sharing media such as cloud services or physical storage.
<http://www.zdnet.com/sg/spore-fiber-users-not-jumping-on-home-networks-7000012459/>

---------
David Goldstein

email: david at goldsteinreport.com
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 Wed Mar 13 2013 - 22:23:45 UTC

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