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UN Member States outline information technology roadmap to achieve sustainable development

< <http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52851> http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52851>

 

Top UN Board supports ongoing implementation of World Summit on the Information Society process

< <http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/CM20.aspx> http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/CM20.aspx>

 

Reflections on the WSIS+10 High-Level Meeting by Fadi Chehad?

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/wsis-10-hlm> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/wsis-10-hlm>

 

IANA Stewardship Transition & Year End by Theresa Swinehart

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/iana-stewardship-transition-year-end> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/iana-stewardship-transition-year-end>

 

Fadi Chehade To Leave ICANN on March 12th

< <http://www.internetnews.me/2015/12/18/fadi-chehade-to-leave-icann-in-march/> http://www.internetnews.me/2015/12/18/fadi-chehade-to-leave-icann-in-march/>

 

Total Global Domain Registrations Pass 300 Million: Verisign

< <http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/12/21/total-global-domain-registrations-300-million-verisign/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/12/21/total-global-domain-registrations-300-million-verisign/>

 

Verisign?s Perspective on Recent Root Server Attacks

< <http://blogs.verisign.com/blog/entry/verisign_s_perspective_on_recent> http://blogs.verisign.com/blog/entry/verisign_s_perspective_on_recent>

 

 

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GOVERNANCE

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UN Member States outline information technology roadmap to achieve sustainable development

With the curtain closed on the two-day review by the United Nations General Assembly of the outcomes of the WSIS, Member States have adopted an outcome document which aims at bridging the digital divide, ensure freedom of speech, and address Internet governance to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

< <http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52851> http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52851>

 

CDT Addresses the United Nations General Assembly and Counter-Terrorism Advisor

At a time when governments around the world are cracking down on the Internet, the Center for Democracy & Technology is fighting to save a place at the table for civil society in global Internet governance.

< <https://cdt.org/blog/cdt-addresses-the-united-nations-general-assembly-and-counter-terrorism-advisor/> https://cdt.org/blog/cdt-addresses-the-united-nations-general-assembly-and-counter-terrorism-advisor/>

 

Top UN Board supports ongoing implementation of World Summit on the Information Society process

The United Nations Chief Executives Board (CEB), comprising of heads of UN agencies, today issued its resounding support for the WSIS process. In particular, they endorsed the pivotal role of ICTs in driving progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

< <http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/CM20.aspx> http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/CM20.aspx>

 

The Firewall Awakens: ICANN's exiting CEO takes internet governance to the dark side

ICANN's exiting CEO has stunned internet governance experts by fronting a new Chinese government initiative to expand its view of how the internet should be run.

< <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/12/18/ex_icann_ceo_will_work_with_china/> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/12/18/ex_icann_ceo_will_work_with_china/>

 

On Internet freedoms, China tells the world, 'leave us alone'

China has a very particular view of how the Internet should be run: under a heavy government thumb. And Beijing would like the rest of the world to agree that each government should rule its own Internet territory as it sees fit.

< <http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2015/1218/On-Internet-freedoms-China-tells-the-world-leave-us-alone> http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2015/1218/On-Internet-freedoms-China-tells-the-world-leave-us-alone>

 

cn: Safe and localized domain names needed: Expert

More safe and localized domain names are needed in China with the development of the Internet development, said an expert at a forum at the ongoing Second World Internet Conference on Friday.

< <http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2015wic/2015-12/18/content_22742632.htm> http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2015wic/2015-12/18/content_22742632.htm>

 

China supports global well-being of cyberspace [Xinhuanet]

The 2nd annual World Internet Conference was opened in Wuzhen, east China?s Zhejiang province on Dec. 16. Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a keynote address to more than 2,000 guests from around the world, who are expected to have in-depth discussions on vital issues surrounding the global internet.

< <http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2015-12/18/c_134929425.htm> http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2015-12/18/c_134929425.htm>

 

UN General Assembly reaffirms value of multistakeholder process in Internet governance

This has been a great week for the Internet! On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the outcome document of the high-level meeting on the 10-year review of the implementation of the WSIS, reaffirming the value of the multistakeholder process in Internet governance and extending the IGF mandate for another 10 years.

< <http://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2015/12/17/un-general-assembly-reaffirms-value-of-multistakeholder-process-in-internet-governance/> http://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2015/12/17/un-general-assembly-reaffirms-value-of-multistakeholder-process-in-internet-governance/>

 

Chinese traditional culture can help Internet governance

Chinese traditional values and thinking can guide the Internet governance today, said Lu Wei, general secretary of Internet Society of China, at a forum during the ongoing World Internet Conference in Wuzhen on Thursday.

< <http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-12/17/content_22736064.htm> http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-12/17/content_22736064.htm>

 

This is how China and Russia see the internet

Since Russia?s 2014 crisis in its relationship with the West, the country has attempted to pivot to the East, most notably towards China. However, economic woes and a sharp decline in commodity prices have left many announced investment projects hanging in the air.

< <http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-how-china-and-russia-see-the-internet-2015-12?IR=T> http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-how-china-and-russia-see-the-internet-2015-12?IR=T>

 

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ICANN

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Apply Now for ICANN Leadership Positions: Deadline is 20 March 2016

ICANN's Nominating Committee (NomCom) invites interested individuals to submit applications and/or to recommend candidates for ICANN's key leadership positions.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-12-17-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-12-17-en>

 

Letter from Imogen Heap to ICANN and Economist Intelligence Unit

New gTLD Application for .MUSIC

< <https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/heap-to-icann-eiu-16dec15-en.pdf> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/heap-to-icann-eiu-16dec15-en.pdf>

 

Letter from Rumer Shirakbari to ICANN and Economist Intelligence Unit

New gTLD Application for .MUSIC

< <https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/shirakbari-to-icann-eiu-15dec15-en.pdf> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/shirakbari-to-icann-eiu-15dec15-en.pdf>

 

Letter from Katie Melua to ICANN and Economist Intelligence Unit

New gTLD Application for .MUSIC

< <https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/melua-to-icann-eiu-15dec15-en.pdf> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/melua-to-icann-eiu-15dec15-en.pdf>

 

Letter from Fran Healy to ICANN and Economist Intelligence Unit

New gTLD Application for .MUSIC

< <https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/healy-to-icann-eiu-15dec15-en.pdf> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/healy-to-icann-eiu-15dec15-en.pdf>

 

Letter from Roxanne De Bastion to ICANN and Economist Intelligence Unit

New gTLD Application for .MUSIC

< <https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/de-bastion-to-icann-eiu-15dec15-en.pdf> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/de-bastion-to-icann-eiu-15dec15-en.pdf>

 

A Holiday Message from Fadi Chehad?

< <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW8p2uSQW9g> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW8p2uSQW9g>

 

Reflections on the WSIS+10 High-Level Meeting by Fadi Chehad?

After a lot of hard work and collaboration, the world has just witnessed the successful close of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting, on 15-16 December, on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+10 HLM).

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/wsis-10-hlm> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/wsis-10-hlm>

 

IANA Stewardship Transition & Year End by Theresa Swinehart

This past year has been busy for the community on all the transition related work. It has been filled with many ups and downs, good moments and challenging ones, and a year of incredible work, compromise, negotiation and collaboration among all stakeholders. With the end of the year only days away, it's a good opportunity to reflect on all that has been accomplished and consider what's in store for the year ahead.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/iana-stewardship-transition-year-end> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/iana-stewardship-transition-year-end>

 

The Risky End-Game of the ICANN Enhanced Accountability Process by Milton Mueller

The ICANN board has interfered with the accountability process once again, and this time, just like the last time, its intervention is likely to delay the transition by another two or three months. It may even succeed in eviscerating key accountability reforms. Board comments circulated yesterday identify 3 areas where the board is unwilling to accept what the CCWG has proposed, and 2 other areas where the board threatens to use its ability to declare a reform ?not in the public interest.? All three show just how stoutly the ICANN board ? egged on by its lawyers ? is resisting true accountability.

< <http://www.internetgovernance.org/2015/12/15/the-risky-end-game-of-the-icann-enhanced-accountability-process/> http://www.internetgovernance.org/2015/12/15/the-risky-end-game-of-the-icann-enhanced-accountability-process/>

 

ICANN Accountability Progress Made in Second CCWG Draft Proposal by J. Scott Evans

The December 21 deadline for submission of public comments on the latest CCWG-Accountability draft proposal is quickly approaching. In this second draft of the proposal, great strides have been made toward addressing the accountability issues that members of the community have raised (notably, Lawrence Strickling's recent remarks). As I have previously emphasized, any plan to ensure the accountability of the ICANN Board of Directors must be closely scrutinized before ICANN pursues its implementation.

< <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151218_icann_accountability_progress_made_in_second_ccwg_draft_proposal/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151218_icann_accountability_progress_made_in_second_ccwg_draft_proposal/>

 

Comment on the CCWG-Accountability Draft Proposal on Work Stream 1 Recommendations by Brett D. Schaefer & Paul Rosenzweig

On November 30, 2015, the Cross-Community Working Group on Accountability (CCWG-Accountability) published its Draft Proposal on Work Stream 1 Recommendations (Draft Proposal) for public comment.

< <http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2015/12/comment-on-the-ccwg-accountability-draft-proposal-on-work-stream-1-recommendations> http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2015/12/comment-on-the-ccwg-accountability-draft-proposal-on-work-stream-1-recommendations>

 

Fadi Chehade To Leave ICANN on March 12th

ICANN?s current CEO and President Fadi Chehad? has put out a Christmas greeting on behalf of ICANN. It runs to just over 4 minutes and talks mostly about the IANA transition. However he also declares in the video that his last date at ICANN will be March 12th 2016 (around 2 minutes in):

< <http://www.internetnews.me/2015/12/18/fadi-chehade-to-leave-icann-in-march/> http://www.internetnews.me/2015/12/18/fadi-chehade-to-leave-icann-in-march/>

 

nz: Top 10 predictions for 2015 - how did we do?! ... 9. ICANN will get to grips with becoming more accountable.

TICK! The ICANN Accountability process still has a ways to play out, but they?ve certainly moved a considerable way toward an acceptable outcome for the New Zealand Internet Community.

< <https://internetnz.nz/blog/top-10-predictions-2015-how-did-we-do> https://internetnz.nz/blog/top-10-predictions-2015-how-did-we-do>

 

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ccTLD & gTLD NEWS

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Total Global Domain Registrations Pass 300 Million: Verisign

The total number of domain name registrations around the world reached 299 million at the end of September according to the latest Verisign Domain Name Industry Brief, an increase of 3.1 million for the quarter. Which would mean the total today would be well over the 300 million mark.

< <http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=24395> http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=24395>

< <http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/12/21/total-global-domain-registrations-300-million-verisign/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2015/12/21/total-global-domain-registrations-300-million-verisign/>

 

Internet Grows to 299 Million Domain Names in the Third Quarter of 2015

VeriSign, Inc. ... announced that approximately 3.1 million domain names were added to the Internet in the third quarter of 2015, bringing the total number of registered domain names to approximately 299 million worldwide across all TLDs as of Sept. 30, 2015, according to the latest Domain Name Industry Brief.

< <http://www.verisign.com/en_US/internet-technology-news/verisign-press-releases/articles/index.xhtml?artLink=aHR0cDovL3ZlcmlzaWduLm13bmV3c3Jvb20uY29tL2FydGljbGUvcnNzP2lkPTIwMTIwNTI%3D> http://www.verisign.com/en_US/internet-technology-news/verisign-press-releases/articles/index.xhtml?artLink=aHR0cDovL3ZlcmlzaWduLm13bmV3c3Jvb20uY29tL2FydGljbGUvcnNzP2lkPTIwMTIwNTI%3D>

 

The Internet Grew to 299 Million Domain Names in the Third Quarter of 2015

Today, we released the latest issue of the Domain Name Industry Brief, which showed that the Internet grew by approximately 3.1 million domain names in the third quarter of 2015, and closed with a base of 299 million domain names across all TLDs. This is a 1.1 percent increase over the second quarter of 2015.

< <http://blogs.verisign.com/blog/entry/verisign_q3_15_domain_name> http://blogs.verisign.com/blog/entry/verisign_q3_15_domain_name>

 

European ccTLD News Brief (December 2015)

CENTR has published its latest CENTRnews magazine (20th edition). This month features: "The worrying impact of headline-triggered policy making" by Peter Van Roste, EU policy update, Interview with Martin Boyle, Senior Policy Adviser at Nominet (.uk) & ccTLD news, highlights and statistics

< <https://centr.org/news/cctld/12-14-2015/4608/european-cctld-news-brief-december-2015> https://centr.org/news/cctld/12-14-2015/4608/european-cctld-news-brief-december-2015>

 

1- and 2 letter .at domains in fall 2016

Until now the minimum length of a domain name is three characters under the TLD .at External Link. This regulation goes back to a technical standard from the year 1993 (RFC 1535), which has been outdated by now.

< <https://www.nic.at/en/aboutnic/current-issues/nicat-news/news-view/article/1-und-2stellige-at-domains-ab-herbst-2016/?cHash=a1a74bc984469a46390d495c3843e621> https://www.nic.at/en/aboutnic/current-issues/nicat-news/news-view/article//1-und-2stellige-at-domains-ab-herbst-2016/?cHash=a1a74bc984469a46390d495c3843e621>

 

The Com Laude & Valideus Gazetteer of TLDs

This time we are delighted to have mapped the entire landscape of domain names. We cover all new gTLD registries from .AAA to .ZUERICH as well as legacy gTLDs (.COM, .ORG, .NET etc) and the Country Code registries.

< <https://comlaude.com/com-laude-valideus-gazetteer-top-level-domains> https://comlaude.com/com-laude-valideus-gazetteer-top-level-domains>

 

Why banks are ditching ?.com? for ?.bank?

European banks have rushed to acquire the more secure domain name ".bank", after more than 4,000 registrations were made in the U.S. for the web address.

< <http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/17/why-banks-are-ditching-com-for-bank-domain-name.html> http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/17/why-banks-are-ditching-com-for-bank-domain-name.html>

 

.BANK By the Numbers: Domestic Impact 

Nearly seven months after .BANK launched, U.S. banks are continuing to register domain names, as evidenced by fTLD?s newest infographic.

< <https://www.ftld.com/WP/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fTLD-Blog-Domestic-Impact-20151216.pdf> https://www.ftld.com/WP/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fTLD-Blog-Domestic-Impact-20151216.pdf>

 

The Internet Resilience Observatory in France Publishes its Report for 2014

2014 Report of the Internet Resilience Observatory in France: progress in the adoption of best practices, and new challenges identified.

< <http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/9520/show/the-internet-resilience-observatory-in-france-publishes-its-report-for-2014.html> http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/9520/show/the-internet-resilience-observatory-in-france-publishes-its-report-for-2014.html>

 

NIRA Records 33,572 .ng Domain Names In 2015

33,572 .ng domain names were registered in Nigeria between January 2015 and November 2015, the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has reported.

< <http://thewhistler.ng/story/nira-records-33-572-ng-domain-names-in-2015> http://thewhistler.ng/story/nira-records-33-572-ng-domain-names-in-2015>

 

OpenData: Data from the .fr TLD to serve innovation

Afnic, a leader of the Internet in France, is continuing its initiatives to promote the development of innovation by providing activity data from the .fr TLD free of charge.

< <http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/9522/show/opendata-data-from-the-fr-tld-to-serve-innovation.html> http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/9522/show/opendata-data-from-the-fr-tld-to-serve-innovation.html>

 

5,000,000 .RU Domain Names postcard gets special cancellation

On December 15, Moscow?s Postal Museum and the Moscow Post Office hosted a special cancellation ceremony for the ?5,000,000 .RU Domain Names? postcard. Seven thousand copies of the postcard have been published to celebrate .RU domain name registrations reaching the 5,000,000 threshold.

< <http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=9169> http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=9169>

 

Dot-sucks domain name not our problem, Ottawa says

The Canadian government has washed its hands of the "dot-sucks" controversy, as the new internet domain name begins to take root beside the more familiar dot-com, dot-ca, dot-net and other generic web addresses.

< <http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dot-sucks-canada-internet-website-domain-1.3370577> http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dot-sucks-canada-internet-website-domain-1.3370577>

< <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/12/18/dot-sucks-domain-name-not-our-problem-ottawa-says_n_8836756.html> http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/12/18/dot-sucks-domain-name-not-our-problem-ottawa-says_n_8836756.html>

 

How I just registered Twitter.sucks for free in just five clicks

This morning, I caused the registration of and was given control of a web site at twitter.sucks.

< <http://domainincite.com/19706-how-i-just-registered-twitter-sucks-for-free-in-just-five-clicks> http://domainincite.com/19706-how-i-just-registered-twitter-sucks-for-free-in-just-five-clicks>

 

'.feedback' and '.sucks' on criticism sites and trademark owners' concerns: new podcast available

In the trademark world, the high sunrise fees charged by the registries behind the ?.sucks? and ?.feedback? gTLDs have been one of the talking points of 2015.

< <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=7787177a-40c5-4d20-babb-adbddaf7baa2> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=7787177a-40c5-4d20-babb-adbddaf7baa2>

 

New Provisions on Domain Names in Vietnam

In October 2015, a number of key new provisions related to domain name cases entered into effect in Vietnam. The regulations were promulgated under Circular 24 of the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC). Below we provide a list of some of the key highlights of Circular 24:

< <http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=267b3ca1-732d-4453-8fc6-9f3561c61f7b> http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=267b3ca1-732d-4453-8fc6-9f3561c61f7b>

 

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NEW TLDS

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Porn firm wins .cam after years of objections

The controversial new gTLD .cam has been won at auction by Dutch porn site operator AC Webconnecting, putting an end to over two years of back-and-forth objections.

< <http://domainincite.com/19723-porn-firm-wins-cam-after-years-of-objections> http://domainincite.com/19723-porn-firm-wins-cam-after-years-of-objections>

 

Tata?s bid for .tata gTLD scuppered by Morocco

Tata Group, the humongous Indian conglomerate, has been told its flagship application for a dot-brand gTLD has been refused.

< <http://domainincite.com/19729-tatas-bid-for-tata-gtld-scuppered-by-morocco> http://domainincite.com/19729-tatas-bid-for-tata-gtld-scuppered-by-morocco>

 

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DNS SECURITY

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Verisign?s Perspective on Recent Root Server Attacks

On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2015, some of the Internet?s DNS root name servers received large amounts of anomalous traffic. Last week the root server operators published a report on the incident. In the interest of further transparency, I?d like to take this opportunity to share Verisign?s perspective, including how we identify, handle and react, as necessary, to events such as this.

< <http://blogs.verisign.com/blog/entry/verisign_s_perspective_on_recent> http://blogs.verisign.com/blog/entry/verisign_s_perspective_on_recent>

 

EU update - December 2015

NIS talks concluded: During the trilogue meeting on 7 December, EU law-makers reached a political agreement on the network and information security (NIS) directive. It requires both public and private entities to raise their cybersecurity capabilities.

< <https://centr.org/news/12-13-2015/4604/eu-update-december-2015> https://centr.org/news/12-13-2015/4604/eu-update-december-2015>

 

RU-CERT moves in to fight cybercrime

The Coordination Center for TLD.Ru has signed a cooperation agreement with the RU-CERT Computer Emergency Response Team. The partnership aims to improve the security of the Russian domain space, in particular, to fight phishing, unauthorized access to third-party information systems, the dissemination of malware and bot-network operations.

< <http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=9174> http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=9174>

 

Now Everybody Can HTTPS

Let?s Encrypt launched its Public Beta service recently where you can get a certificate for your domains, for free!

< <http://blog.apnic.net/2015/12/16/now-everybody-can-https/> http://blog.apnic.net/2015/12/16/now-everybody-can-https/>

 

Event Wrap: INTERPOL Global Cybercrime Expert Group 2015

APNIC staff participated at the inaugural INTERPOL Global Cybercrime Expert Group meeting held from 30 November to 1 December 2015.

< <http://blog.apnic.net/2015/12/15/event-wrap-interpol-cybercrime-expert-group-2015/> http://blog.apnic.net/2015/12/15/event-wrap-interpol-cybercrime-expert-group-2015/>

 

us: Cybersecurity bill approved, but what does it accomplish?

It may have been easy for Congress on Friday to approve the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA), despite past controversy around it.

< <http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/591110/cybersecurity-bill-approved-what-does-it-accomplish/> http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/591110/cybersecurity-bill-approved-what-does-it-accomplish/>

 

us: Cybersecurity Information Sharing In the ?Ominous? Budget Bill: A Setback for Privacy

Overall, the ?compromise? that lawmakers came up with took the bad parts of the three bills on the table and, in many cases, made them worse. Unfortunately, the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 will probably become law, because any ?nay? votes at this stage would be against the entire budget deal. There are, however, significant privacy costs built into this legislation.

< <https://cdt.org/blog/cybersecurity-information-sharing-in-the-ominous-budget-bill-a-setback-for-privacy/> https://cdt.org/blog/cybersecurity-information-sharing-in-the-ominous-budget-bill-a-setback-for-privacy/>

 

Companies Accuse their Competitors of Staging DDoS Attacks Against them

According to recent research from Kaspersky Lab and B2B International, nearly half (48 per cent) of the companies surveyed believe they know the identity and motivation of those behind recent Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against them, with many naming competitors as key culprits.

< <http://newsroom.kaspersky.eu/en/texts/detail/article/companies-accuse-their-competitors-of-staging-ddos-attacks-against-them/?no_cache=1&cHash=579fd53145c4060de0f618140c9b109e> http://newsroom.kaspersky.eu/en/texts/detail/article/companies-accuse-their-competitors-of-staging-ddos-attacks-against-them/?no_cache=1&cHash=579fd53145c4060de0f618140c9b109e>

 

Have your say on how to boost Europe's cybersecurity industry 

Today, the European Commission opens a public consultation on how to best set up a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on cybersecurity, which will be launched in the course of 2016, as part of the European Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy. The consultation is published along with a Roadmap outlining different policy options that should also help the European cybersecurity industry grow. Through this public consultation the Commission is seeking views (until 11 March 2016) on where to focus efforts for setting up this PPP as well as on other potential policy measures.

< <https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/have-your-say-how-boost-europes-cybersecurity-industry> https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/have-your-say-how-boost-europes-cybersecurity-industry>

 

Router maker finds 'unauthorised' code

Juniper Networks has issued a warning after discovering "unauthorised code" in its firewall software.

< <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35131396> http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35131396>

 

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DOMAIN DISPUTES & SEIZURES

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U.S. Govt. Targets Torrent Sites and Other Piracy Havens

The US Government has pinpointed some of the largest piracy websites and other copyright infringing venues. The USTR calls on foreign countries to take action against popular piracy sites such as KickassTorrents, as well as Canadian domain registrar Rebel and Swiss hosting service Private Layer.

< <https://torrentfreak.com/u-s-govt-targets-torrent-sites-and-other-piracy-havens-151218/> https://torrentfreak.com/u-s-govt-targets-torrent-sites-and-other-piracy-havens-151218/>

 

au: Clarins v. Local Produce Australia Pty. Ltd. - Case No. DAU2015-0036

1. The Parties: The Complainant is Clarins of Neuilly Sur Seine, France, represented by Tmark Conseils, France. The Respondent is Local Produce Australia Pty. Ltd. of Healesville, Victoria, Australia. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <clarins.com.au> is registered with Netfleet.com.au (the "Registrar").

< <http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2015-0036> http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2015-0036>

 

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REGISTRAR NEWS

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Cheers! Registries and Registrars Doing the Right Thing by Patients by Libby Baney

Domain name registration is a hot industry. Registrars represent a growing multi-billion dollar industry with the keys to the Internet for any organization hoping to have a web presence. Further, because of their role as one of the gatekeepers to the Internet, registrars have the unique ability and are often asked to take action against illegal activity online. This fact was highlighted in the report released this week by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the 2015 Out-of-Cycle Notorious Markets List.

< <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151218_cheers_registries_and_registrars_doing_the_right_thing_by_patients/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151218_cheers_registries_and_registrars_doing_the_right_thing_by_patients/>

 

Webnames.ca 2015: Year in Review

2015 has been another phenomenal year for Webnames.ca. In addition to celebrating our 15th anniversary, Webnames.ca successfully launched numerous new products and services for our customers. As we approach 2016, we anticipate more innovation and upgrades and seamless continuation of our renowned customer service to support you and your online endeavors.

< <http://blog.webnames.ca/webnames-ca-2015-year-in-review/> http://blog.webnames.ca/webnames-ca-2015-year-in-review/>

 

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IPv4/IPv6

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Australia lags world in broadband adoption

Broadband adoption rates in Australia are well below those in other countries, with Australia currently ranked in the bottom third of qualifying countries for 15mbps broadband adoption. ... The latest figures for broadband performance are contained in Akamai?s newly published State of the Internet report on key global statistics including connection speeds, broadband adoption metrics, notable Internet disruptions, as well as IPv4 exhaustion and IPv6 implementation.

< <http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/internet-of-things/70853-australia-lags-world-in-broadband-adoption> http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/internet-of-things/70853-australia-lags-world-in-broadband-adoption>

 

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MISCELLANEOUS

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Deadline of Dec 21 To Submit Nominations for 2016 Internet Society Board of Trustees by Dan York

Are you passionate about preserving the global, open Internet? Do you want to help guide work to connect the unconnected and promote / restore trust in the Internet? Do you have experience in Internet standards, development or public policy? If so, please consider applying for one of the open seats on the Internet Society Board of Trustees. The Internet Society serves a pivotal role in the world as a leader on Internet policy, technical, economic, and social matters, and as the organizational home of the IETF.

< <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151217_submit_nominations_for_2016_internet_society_board_of_trustees/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151217_submit_nominations_for_2016_internet_society_board_of_trustees/>

 

Minds + Machines has completed 1/3 of planned ?15 share buyback

Minds + Machines bought another two million of its own shares for cancellation yesterday, pushing its total buybacks to ?5.1 million to date.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/17/minds-machines-has-completed-13-of-planned-15-share-buyback/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/17/minds-machines-has-completed-13-of-planned-15-share-buyback/>

 

Google Search Rankings Prefer HTTPS by Default

Google announce it would, by default, begin giving HTTPS preference in search engine rankings.

< <https://threatpost.com/google-search-rankings-prefer-https-by-default/115672/> https://threatpost.com/google-search-rankings-prefer-https-by-default/115672/>

 

Starting Fresh with a Strong Domain Name Portfolio

New Year?s is just around the corner again. A time to celebrate the start of something new and another opportunity to reflect on what we want to achieve and what we wish to change. Perhaps make resolutions to pursue a new skill or eat more healthily. For brands this year, it might mean making the resolution the develop a leaner and cleaner domain name portfolio.

< <http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/gtld-basics/creating-a-strong-domain-name-portfolio> http://blog.fairwindspartners.com/gtld-basics/creating-a-strong-domain-name-portfolio>

 

Neustar: Linking What Matters

Neustar has been shifting its revenue base from a telecom contract to marketing, domain names and more. Based on recent trademark filings, it appears the company will adopt the slogan ?Linking What Matters? going forward.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/18/neustar-linking-what-matters/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/18/neustar-linking-what-matters/>

 

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WEBHOSTING

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WHD Global and WHD USA Dates & Venues Announced

World Hosting Days, or as it?s better known, WHD, will be held again next year. In 2016 the ?global? event will return to Rust, Germany, as it has done for the last few years, with the event taking place between March 15 ? 17.

< <http://www.internetnews.me/2015/12/17/whd-global-and-whd-usa-dates-venues-announced/> http://www.internetnews.me/2015/12/17/whd-global-and-whd-usa-dates-venues-announced/>

 

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DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET

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Sedo links up with .EU whois to sell domains

EURid is now showing if a domain name is listed for sale at Sedo when someone does a whois lookup, and linking directly to the sale listing.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/17/sedo-links-up-with-eu-whois-to-sell-domains/> http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/17/sedo-links-up-with-eu-whois-to-sell-domains/>

 

13,000 Great New Registry Reserved .CLUB Names Added To Registrar Tiered Premiums!

Since July we have offered premium .CLUB names priced at $10,000 or below for direct sale by our registrar channel. Since then our premium name sales have continued to increase, and more registrars have begun to offer and successfully sell our premium names.

< <http://nic.club/13000-great-new-registry-reserved-club-names-added-to-registrar-tiered-premiums/> http://nic.club/13000-great-new-registry-reserved-club-names-added-to-registrar-tiered-premiums/>

 

3-Digit .Com Commands Over 200K to Top This Week's Sales Chart - 11 of First 12 Entries are 3 Characters or Less

It's the same old song but it's a tune that owners of ultra-short domain names never get tired of hearing. That category continued to rule our all extension Top 20 Sales Chart this week with 11 of the first 12 entries (and 14 of 20 overall) running 3 characters or less left of the dot.

< <http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2015/20151216.htm> http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2015/20151216.htm>

 

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INTERNET USE

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Mobile browsing will trump desktop by the end of 2016, report says

In a month of 2015 recaps from just about every company out there, now may be the time to start those predictions about what's going to happen in the new year.

< <https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/12/18/mobile-browsing-will-trump-desktop-by-the-end-of-2016-report-says/> https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/12/18/mobile-browsing-will-trump-desktop-by-the-end-of-2016-report-says/>

 

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SOCIAL MEDIA

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Facebook changes ?real name? reporting, but some critics remain skeptical

?It?s not clear to me why online civility trumps individual safety in charged political environments,? said Gautam Hans, policy counsel for Center for Democracy & Technology. ?I?m not persuaded that anonymous speech makes for a worse platform.?

< <https://cdt.org/press/facebook-changes-real-name-reporting-but-some-critics-remain-skeptical/> https://cdt.org/press/facebook-changes-real-name-reporting-but-some-critics-remain-skeptical/>

 

Changes to Facebook?s "Real Names" Policy Still Don?t Fix the Problem

In response to feedback from activist groups, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Facebook announced Tuesday that it would change some aspects of its real names policy. As it currently stands, the policy requires users to register what Facebook calls their ?authentic identity,??or how friends and family know them?in order to use the social network.

< <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/changes-facebooks-real-names-policy-still-dont-fix-problem> https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/changes-facebooks-real-names-policy-still-dont-fix-problem>

 

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CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY

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au: Cyber bullying still a 24/7 risk during school holidays, parents warned

With schools broken up for the year, parents are being urged to be on the look-out for their children being targeted by cyber bullies.

< <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-18/school-holiday-cyber-bullying-risk/7042410> http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-18/school-holiday-cyber-bullying-risk/7042410>

 

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MOBILE/WIRELESS

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Expert group identifies emerging demands of ?5G? to fuel ITU standardization

The ITU-T Focus Group on network aspects of IMT-2020 (?5G?) has received an extension to its lifetime, with a mandate to undertake in-depth studies into areas such as ?network softwarization? and slicing, emerging networking technologies, mobile backhaul and fronthaul, and end-to-end quality of service.

< <http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/65.aspx> http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/65.aspx>

 

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ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL

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More than 500 arrested in INTERPOL operation targeting phone and email scams

More than 500 people have been arrested and 15 call centres shut down in an INTERPOL-coordinated operation targeting multi-million dollar phone and email scams across the Asia Pacific region.

< <http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News/2015/N2015-223> http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News/2015/N2015-223>

 

au: ?ACCC warns of fake parcel delivery ransomware

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is warning consumers and businesses to watch out for a fake parcel delivery scam email which purports to be from Australia Post or FedEx.

< <http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/591053/accc-warns-fake-parcel-delivery-ransomware/> http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/591053/accc-warns-fake-parcel-delivery-ransomware/>

 

 

------

David Goldstein

 

email:  <mailto:david at goldsteinreport.com> david at goldsteinreport.com

web:  <http://goldsteinreport.com/> http://goldsteinreport.com/

Twitter:  <https://twitter.com/goldsteinreport> https://twitter.com/goldsteinreport

phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9663 3430 - 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

 

 

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