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And see my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** How the British watch now: tune in, log on, call up http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/14/ofcom.digitaltvradio Communication Nation: UK consumers paying less but getting more [news release] http://ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/08/nr_20080814 Ofcom profiles the modern multi-tasking family http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article4526635.ece Study shows U.S. broadband speeds continue to lag http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10016514-93.html Facebook dominates worldwide social networking, study finds http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9112547 'Slow' light to speed up the internet http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7557280.stm How cyber crime went professional http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/how-cyber-crime-went-professional-892882.html US Ruling Is a Victory for Supporters of Free Software http://nytimes.com/2008/08/14/technology/14commons.html Dutch police, FBI rein in large botnet [IDG] http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;383152578 US Defense Department puts USAF cyber effort on hold [AP] http://news.theage.com.au/technology/defense-department-puts-usaf-cyber-effort-on-hold-20080814-3v69.html Online vandalism does not equal cyberwar http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;291140590 Longtime Battle Lines Are Recast In Russia and Georgia's Cyberwar http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/13/AR2008081303623.html Privacy awareness not backed up by behaviour, survey finds http://out-law.com/page-9345 Italian judge blocks access to Swedish file-sharing site The Pirate Bay [IDG] http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/081408-italian-judge-blocks-access-to.html Corporate complicity with the Great Firewall http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/13/china.censorship uk: 'Snooper's charter' to check texts and emails http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/aug/13/privacy.civilliberties UK councils get power to ‘spy’ on your e-mail and net use http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4518226.ece Telecoms criticized in EU report [AP] http://iht.com/articles/2008/08/13/technology/regulate.php Telecoms firms set to change their business http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2223750/telcos-set-change-spots ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** How the British watch now: tune in, log on, call up The traditional picture of the British family spending its evenings slumped in front of the TV has changed dramatically, according to a new report from the watchdog Ofcom, published today. The box is still on, but the people on the sofa are talking on the phone, texting furiously or surfing the internet - increasingly using a laptop with a mobile broadband connection - while they keep one eye on the screen. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/14/ofcom.digitaltvradio Communication Nation: UK consumers paying less but getting more [news release] People in the UK are spending more time using communications services than ever before – but paying less for them, according to Ofcom’s latest annual report into the UK’s £51 billion communications industry. The 365 page report shows that in 2007 we spent an average of 7 hours and 9 minutes a day using an array of communications services - up by 6 minutes from 2002. This includes watching television, surfing the net, using our mobiles, talking on a landline phone and listening to the radio. http://ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/08/nr_20080814 UK spending on communications falls Britons are spending more time using communications services but paying less for them, says an Ofcom report. Every day in 2007, the average consumer spent 7 hours and 9 minutes watching TV, on the phone, using the internet or using other services, it says. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7559557.stm Ofcom profiles the modern multi-tasking family The days when families huddled in silence round the TV are a thing of the past. A typical scene today would be children shouting excitedly over their games consoles while mothers look for bargains on the internet and fathers struggle to catch a few words on the radio - with a TV contributing in the background. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article4526635.ece Television revolution sees 1 in 9 view online According to Ofcom, the industry regulator, the number of homes logging on to view soap operas, sport, documentaries and other programmes has almost doubled in the past year from 1.57?million to 2.96?million — more than 11 per cent of the total. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2555167/TV-revolution-sees-1-in-9-view-online.html Study shows U.S. broadband speeds continue to lag The average download and upload speeds for broadband services across the U.S. have remained relatively unchanged over the past year as the U.S. continues to lag behind other countries in terms of broadband speeds, according to a report published by the Communications Workers of America labor union. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10016514-93.html Woman to Woman, Online Heather Armstrong’s wickedly funny blog about motherhood, Dooce, is more than just an outlet for the creativity and frustrations of a modern mother. The site, chock full of advertising, is a moneymaking machine — so much so that Ms. Armstrong and her husband have both quit their regular jobs. http://nytimes.com/2008/08/14/technology/14women.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/08/13/technology/women.php ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook dominates worldwide social networking, study finds Facebook Inc. has grown 153% during the past year, propelled by the soaring growth of new in virtually every market outside North America, according to a report on social networking released Tuesday by ComScore Inc. http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9112547 Social Networking Explodes Worldwide as Sites Increase their Focus on Cultural Relevance [news release] comScore, Inc. released a study of worldwide usage of social networking sites, indicating that while the growth in new users in North America is beginning to level off, it is burgeoning in other regions around the world. During the past year, the total North American audience of social networkers has grown 9 percent compared to a much larger 25 percent growth for the world at large. The Middle East-Africa region (up 66 percent), Europe (up 35 percent), and Latin America (up 33 percent) have each grown at well-above average rates. http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=2396 ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** 'Slow' light to speed up the internet A huge increase in the speed of the internet could be produced by slowing parts of it down, say researchers. Recently reported "metamaterials" touted as bringing closer cloaking devices could soon provide the brakes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7557280.stm ********************** SPAM ********************** nz: Hackers send 1.5m spam emails from Otago Uni Hackers gained access to the University of Otago staff email server recently and used it to send out an estimated 1.55 million spam emails in 60 hours, after tricking four staff members into revealing their login details. http://www.odt.co.nz/on-campus/university-otago/17905/hackers-send-15m-spam-emails-otago-uni ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** How cyber crime went professional A huge increase in internet crime is only part of the picture. The bigger worry for many organisations is that they are now being individually targeted by criminals using sophisticated technology. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/how-cyber-crime-went-professional-892882.html Google Searches Sought In Defamation Suit Against Cisco Attorney Eric M. Albritton has filed a subpoena demanding that Google reveal information associated with blog postings, Internet searches, and financial data related to a libel lawsuit he filed last year against Cisco. http://www.informationweek.com/news/management/legal/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210003653 US Ruling Is a Victory for Supporters of Free Software A legal dispute involving model railroad hobbyists has resulted in a major courtroom victory for the free software movement also known as open-source software. In a ruling Wednesday, the federal appeals court in Washington said that just because a software programmer gave his work away did not mean it could not be protected. http://nytimes.com/2008/08/14/technology/14commons.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/08/14/technology/14commons.php Open-source advocates praise appeals court ruling [IDG] Free software advocates are hailing a federal appeals court ruling that allows greater protection for open-source software against copyright infringement. http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9112626 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/081408-open-source-advocates-hail-appeals.html Dutch police, FBI rein in large botnet [IDG] The botnet created by a teenager who was arrested by Dutch police in a sting operation is most notable for its total reliance on social engineering to spread, computer security experts said Thursday. http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;383152578 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/081408-dutch-police-fbi-rein-in.html http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/08/14/Dutch_police_FBI_rein_in_large_botnet_1.html Dutch police smash Shadow botnet The Dutch High Tech Crime Unit has arrested two people and shut down the Shadow botnet, which is thought to contain over 100,000 compromised computers. http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2223909/dutch-police-smash-shadow-botnet Air Force Suspends 'Cyber Command' Program Putting on hold a major cyberwarfare initiative less than two months before it was scheduled to become operational, the Pentagon this week said it is delaying and reviewing the future of the Air Force's controversial "Cyber Command" program. http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210003721 US Defense Department puts USAF cyber effort on hold [AP] The U.S. Defense Department this week delayed the Air Force's nascent Cyberspace Command and may kill the idea altogether, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press. This comes as Russia used a major computer network attack to begin its assault on Georgia. http://news.theage.com.au/technology/defense-department-puts-usaf-cyber-effort-on-hold-20080814-3v69.html http://news.smh.com.au/technology/defense-department-puts-usaf-cyber-effort-on-hold-20080814-3v69.html OpenID at risk due to DNS flaw, warns researcher A fundamental issue affects the OpenID authentication system, due to its reliance on the Domain Name System, a Sun identity-technology specialist has warned. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39461045,00.htm Online vandalism does not equal cyberwar Despite the hype and excited breathlessness of the reports, there is no cyberwar going on between Russia and Georgia. http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;291140590 Longtime Battle Lines Are Recast In Russia and Georgia's Cyberwar As the violence unfolded between Russia and Georgia during the past week, hackers waged war on another front: the Internet. The Georgian government accused Russia of engaging in cyberwarfare by disabling many government Web sites, making it difficult to inform citizens quickly of important updates. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/13/AR2008081303623.html Kids may be behind Georgian cyberattacks Initial information suggests that Internet attacks on Georgian Web sites over the last two weeks are the work of kids, according to one researcher, while another says the intensity of these attacks is short-lived when compared with attacks in Estonia last year. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62044841,00.htm Russian and Georgian websites fall victim to a war being fought online as well as in the field [news release] Reporters Without Borders condemns the many violations of online freedom of information since the outbreak of fighting in the Georgian province of South Ossetia on 8 August, including the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on many Georgian websites, in which the servers they use are overloaded and crashed by millions of connection requests. http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=28167 Russians may not be responsible for cyberattacks on Georgia New evidence suggests that politically active hackers, rather than the Russian government, may be behind attacks on Georgia's web assets. It's not the first time we've heard this sort of story change, but it's of little comfort to anyone relying on Georgia's Internet infrastructure. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080813-georgian-attacks-might-not-be-russians-after-all.html Cyber attacks on Georgia launched from Russia: US firm [AP] Intense cyber attacks on Georgian government websites were launched from computers in Russia while Moscow's military struck in the former Soviet state, a US Internet firm said Wednesday. http://news.smh.com.au/technology/cyber-attacks-on-georgia-launched-from-russia-us-firm-20080814-3v6k.html http://news.theage.com.au/technology/cyber-attacks-on-georgia-launched-from-russia-us-firm-20080814-3v6k.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Privacy awareness not backed up by behaviour, survey finds Almost 90% of UK internet users are prepared to give away private data despite 84% of the same users claiming to be very guarded about online privacy. http://out-law.com/page-9345 Privacy worry over location data Privacy advocates are warning of the dangers of rushing headlong into using location based services. The Centre for Digital Democracy told the BBC that "while these services will be a powerful force in our lives they are a potential privacy nightmare." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7559731.stm nz: Privacy must become public 'hot topic', says 2020 leader Online privacy protection should be a hot topic for general public debate, says Don Hollander of the 2020 Trust, but it threatens to become locked in rarefied discussion within small specialist groups. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/66DD35D4B40D9ECDCC2574A20012CB1F nz: Internet glitch puts students' details on view An internet glitch yesterday left university students' confidential grades and lecture notes open to access by strangers. Slingshot customers trying to use their own accounts were directed into random email, Trade Me, Facebook and Bebo pages. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10527172 ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Italian judge blocks access to Swedish file-sharing site The Pirate Bay [IDG] A judge in the northern town of Bergamo, Italy, has ordered Italian ISPs to block access to the Swedish file-sharing Web site The Pirate Bay in a crackdown on the illegal sharing of copyright material over the Internet. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/081408-italian-judge-blocks-access-to.html Italy blocks Swedish file-sharing site [AP] An Italian judge has ordered the country's Internet service providers to block access to The Pirate Bay, a Swedish file-sharing Web site, as part of a probe into copyright law violation, officials said Thursday. http://news.smh.com.au/technology/italy-blocks-swedish-filesharing-site-20080815-3vt7.html http://news.theage.com.au/technology/italy-blocks-swedish-filesharing-site-20080815-3vt7.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Corporate complicity with the Great Firewall Like its precursor, the Great Wall of China, the Great Firewall was constructed to guard China from waves of foreign influence and information intrusion. With the world's spotlight on China and widespread criticism of its repressive actions, one should not forget that the knowledge and technology used to create the world's most prominent Big Brother society was designed in the west, often by the very same corporations whose advertisements on TV take up the time between the relay race and the javelin competition. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/13/china.censorship Britain's libel laws are stifling free speech, says UN British libel laws are stifling free speech around the world as wealthy businessmen and celebrities increasingly turn to UK courts to silence their critics abroad, the United Nations has warned. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britains-libel-laws-are-stifling-free-speech-says-un-894519.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2556244/British-libel-laws-stifle-free-speech-claims-UN.html French Jewish group sues YouTube over 'anti-semitic' video [AFP] A French Jewish group is suing the YouTube video-sharing website over a clip showing a host of Jewish public figures to the soundtrack of a pre-war anti-Semitic song. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/14/2335949.htm Egyptian Internet cafe policy - censorship in disguise? Late last week it was reported that a number of Egyptian Internet cafes had been directed by the Egyptian government to collect personal information from prospective Internet users before they would be entitled to access the Internet at the cafe. This information included names, email addresses and phone numbers. Following submission of this information, an access code would be sent to the supplied mobile number then allowing them access to the Internet. http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1939238776 ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ California legislature moves on cyber-bullying measures If a bill now being considered by the California State Senate and Assembly becomes law, schoolyard bullies who use the Internet and text messaging to intimidate others may be expelled from school. http://www.betanews.com/article/California_legislature_moves_on_cyberbullying_measures/1218655462 California wants the online bullying to stop California's state legislators are tired of cyberbullying. Of their constituents' children, that is, not them. http://valleywag.com/5036546/california-wants-the-online-bullying-to-stop ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** uk: 'Snooper's charter' to check texts and emails Local councils, health authorities and hundreds of other public bodies are to be given the power to access details of everyone's personal text, emails and internet use under Home Office proposals published yesterday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/aug/13/privacy.civilliberties UK councils get power to ‘spy’ on your e-mail and net use Councils and health authorities are to be given the right to access e-mail and internet records under surveillance powers to be introduced next year, the Home Office said yesterday. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4518226.ece Zero privacy-The British government is taking extraordinary new powers to monitor everyone's emailing, internet browsing and phone calls The recent report by the Interception of Communications commissioner, Sir Paul Kennedy notes that 519,260 requisitions of communications data from telephone companies and internet service providers were made in Britain last year. It is very mysterious who is doing the bulk of this spying, since no statistical breakdown is offered. But Sir Paul suggests the procedures may be a bit much for local authorities and things ought to be made easier for them. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/13/privacy.privacy UK government plans to log every call, text and email The Home office has issued a consultation paper for a new law that would force phone companies, ISPs and network operators to record and store every phone call, web page request and text message. http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2223898/uk-government-plans-log-every-web-email nz: Price of getting NZ up to speed National nationalises the network. Crazy as it sounds, this could be the outcome of the party's proposed $1.5 billion, six-year investment in a new fibre-to-the-home network for New Zealand. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10526897 ********************************* COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS ********************************* InternetNZ presents new structure at AGM The calibre of the two people voted off InternetNZ's ruling council at the annual general meeting late last month speaks highly of those who were elected, members present at the meeting agreed. http://www.businessday.co.nz/industries/telco_it/4655653 http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/B614754114A37082CC2574A2000FAE00 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Telecoms criticized in EU report [AP] European mobile phone operators regularly charge users for more time than they actually use when it comes to expensive calls made away from home, regulators said Wednesday. http://iht.com/articles/2008/08/13/technology/regulate.php Telecoms firms set to change their business Up to half of the world’s largest telecommunications firms will offer new services that are barely related to telecoms by 2012, and many will derive at least 15 per cent of their revenue from IT and content services, according to research. http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2223750/telcos-set-change-spots Governments want more influence over telcos Policymakers are being urged by a new book to forge ‘a more influential role’ in the development of telecommunications and broadband networks in their cities. Launched to promote the upcoming Metropolis Congress in Sydney, the book examines the impact of networks on the connectivity of cities to each other and the globe. http://itnews.com.au/News/NewsStory.aspx?story=82458 ********************** VoIP ********************** Jajah deal with Intel will boost PC telephoning Californian internet telephony specialist Jajah has clinched an important deal with computer chip designer Intel which will put its cheap-rate telephone service in easy reach of consumers and potentially halt a decline in the take-up of so-called VoIP services. www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/aug/14/telecoms.internetphonesbroadband +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The domain name news is supported by auDA For information on subscriptions to the domain name and/or general internet news please contact me. For archives of postings to the list, see http://lists.technewsreview.com.au/pipermail/technewsreview/. Also see http://technewsreview.com.au/ for recent updates. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2008 --------- David Goldstein address: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA email: Goldstein_David @yahoo.com.au phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (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 Win a MacBook Air or iPod touch with Yahoo!7. http://au.docs.yahoo.com/homepageset _______________________________________________ APPLe mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.apnic.net/mailman/listinfo/apple
