Since rootkits like this one are so difficult to remove, think of their value as a Cyber-weapons. A more subtle infection could go unnoticed until “e-Day.”
Massive Botnet "Indestructible," Say Researchers
"A new and improved botnet that has infected more than four million PCs is 'practically indestructible,' security researchers say. TDL-4, the name for both the bot Trojan that infects machines and the ensuing collection of compromised computers, is 'the most sophisticated threat today,' said Kaspersky Labs researcher Sergey Golovanov in a detailed analysis on Monday. Others agree. 'I wouldn't say it's perfectly indestructible, but it is pretty much indestructible,' Joe Stewart, director of malware research at Dell SecureWorks and an internationally-known botnet expert, told Computerworld on Wednesday. 'It does a very good job of maintaining itself.' Because TDL-4 installs its rootkit on the MBR, it is invisible to both the operating system and more, importantly, security software designed to sniff out malicious code. But that's not TDL-4's secret weapon. What makes the botnet indestructible is the combination of its advanced encryption and the use of a public peer-to-peer (P2P) network for the instructions issued to the malware by command-and-control (C&C) servers. 'The way peer-to-peer is used for TDL-4 will make it extremely hard to take down this botnet,' said Roel Schouwenberg, senior malware researcher at Kaspersky. 'The TDL guys are doing their utmost not to become the next gang to lose their botnet.'"
Jurisdiction be damned? Virtual access to data now depends only on who can threaten profitability? ...call in the anti-trust guys at DOJ?
The Patriot Act and the EU Cloud
"Gordon Frazer, managing director of Microsoft UK said that the Patriot Act allows government access to data in its cloud services even in Europe. Though he said that 'customers would be informed wherever possible,' he could not provide a guarantee that they would be informed if a gagging order, injunction or U.S. National Security Letter permits it."
(Related) ...and it's just gonna get worse.
Microsoft: 'We can hand over Office 365 data without your permission'
Hidden within a whitepaper, detailing the security features in the upcoming Office 365 suite, it reveals links to the Trust Center; a treasure trove of data protection policies and legalities of how Microsoft will handle your data in its cloud datacenters.
(Related) Think of this as a way to gain physical access to foreign data.
Chinese City Wants To Build a Censorship-Free Hub
"The city of Chongqing's proposed Cloud Computing Special Zone would be home to 'a handful of state-of-the-art data centers and is designed to attract investment from multinational companies and boost China's status as a center for cloud computing,' writes the IDG News Service's Michael Kan. The part that's drawing the ire of Chinese Internet users: This censorship-free hub would only be for foreign companies."
(Related) Another “Cloud” story that I could also categorize under “It's not a One-Strategy-Fits-All world”
SpyCloud: Intel Agencies Look to Keep Secrets in the Ether
Dropbox for files, Google for mail, iCloud for well, everything. Average citizens have all kinds of options for storing their information in the cloud. Now, spies want in. Soon, our nation’s secrets may take on a slightly more nebulous form.
In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA and U.S. intelligence community, recently sunk money into a cloud-based storage company called Cleversafe. It says the platform is “ideal for storing mission critical data by addressing the core principles of data confidentiality, integrity and availability.” (Incidentally, those principles also spell out CIA). [So does Cunning if Idiotic Acronym Bob]
This is only one of a series of new government initiatives to move into the cloud. Since last year, the administration has embraced a “cloud first” policy, which encourages cloud-based solutions “whenever a secure, reliable, cost-effective cloud option exists.” The Pentagon is already planning its migration, and the 2011 Cloud Computing Act, expected out in a few weeks, may put in place even more incentives for investing in cloud computing options.
I guess you could call this another jurisdictional question...
Amazon Drops California Associates to Avoid Sales Tax
"Residents of California who participate in the Amazon Associates Program received an email warning them that the program will be terminated as soon as a new California law goes into effect. The law, which CA governor Jerry Brown signed, would require online retailers to collect sales tax on purchases. According to Amazon's statement, 'We oppose this bill because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It is supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside California, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors.'"
(Related) So, will this make things “unfriendly” enough to cause Silicon Valley to move to New Jersey? I kinda doubt it.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20075651-281/california-targets-kindle-lab-in-amazon-tax-spat/
California targets Kindle lab in Amazon tax spat
Amazon.com said today that it's reluctantly severing ties with affiliates in California, a move that it hopes will let it continue shipping products to state residents without collecting sales taxes.
But a little-noticed clause in the legislation that Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, signed into law today gives California tax collectors a second, albeit legally untested, cudgel to use against the Seattle-based company. The law takes effect immediately.
The measure says that any retailer who "through a subsidiary" has any "place of business" in California must collect sales taxes. And--surprise!--Amazon has two subsidiaries in California: A9, in Palo Alto, which works on search technology, and Cupertino-based Lab126, which designed the Kindle and is rumored to be working on much more.
Very high level, but no endorsement for “3 strikes” or similar (that I can see)
http://www.bespacific.com/mt/archives/027629.html
June 29, 2011
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's proposed online copyright protection plan
OECD draft Communiqué on Principles for Internet Policy-Making, June 29, 2011
"The policy-making principles in this communiqué are designed to help preserve the fundamental openness of the Internet while concomitantly meeting certain public policy objectives, such as the protection of privacy, security, children online, and intellectual property, as well as the reinforcement of trust in the Internet. Effective protection of intellectual property rights plays a vital role in spurring innovation and furthers the development of the Internet economy. Internet policy making principles need to take into account the unique social, technical and economic aspects of the Internet environment. It is clear that the open and accessible nature of the Internet needs to be supported for the benefit of freedom of expression, and to facilitate the legitimate sharing of information, knowledge and exchange of views by users including research and development that has brought about widespread innovation to our economies."
EFF Declines to Endorse OECD Draft Communiqué on Principles for Internet Policy-Making: "We oppose legal and policy frameworks that encourage Internet intermediaries to filter and block online content or disconnect Internet users under a “graduated response” system after alleged copyright violations. Civil society calls on OECD member states to defend free expression and support due process and procedural safeguards in the protection of intellectual property rights."
Oh no! This theory did not “evolve” it was the result of intelligent design!
Young Darwin’s Marginalia Shows Evolution of His Theory
A trove of books from Charles Darwin’s personal library is now digitized, online and free for all to view. The collection, displaying Darwin’s scrawled-in-pencil marginalia, tantalizingly reveals his thought process as he developed the theory of evolution.
It's like free crack...
World of Warcraft Goes Free With Starter Edition
"Blizzard Entertainment has announced that its enormously popular online role-playing game World of Warcraft will be free to play for characters up to level 20. WoW has always offered free trials of one of the world's biggest multi-player online games but previous offers have always been limited to a set number of days. The new policy means that first-time visitors to Azeroth will be able to build an unlimited number of characters and classes up to level 20 at their leisure, although there will be some limitations."
Free is good.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-live-professional-news-streams-watch-online-free/
6 Live Professional News Streams You Can Watch Online For Free
Everyone has an opinion
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