Hackers have broken into the air traffic control mission-support systems of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration several times in recent years, according to an Inspector General report sent to the FAA. In February, hackers compromised an FAA public-facing computer and used it to gain access to personally identifiable information, such as Social Security numbers, on 48,000 current and former FAA employees, the report said.
Google Dismisses Conflict with Apple's Board
Google executives acknowledged that the Federal Trade Commission is inquiring about the antitrust implications of the ties between the Google and Apple boards. But they said they do not believe that the fact that Apple and Google share two directors -- Eric Schmidt, the chief executive of Google, and Arthur Levinson, the former chief executive of Genentech -- is a problem.
Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Reverse Gambling Ban
Legislation aimed at reversing a 3-year-old ban on Americans placing online bets was introduced by U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank. The Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection & Enforcement Act would establish a federal regulatory and enforcement framework for online gaming.
Pentagon Considers Cyber-Command to Protect Computers
The Pentagon is considering whether to create a new cyber-command that would oversee government efforts to protect the military's computer networks and would also assist in protecting the civilian government networks, the head of the National Security Agency said. The new command would be headquartered at Fort Meade, the NSA's director, Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, told the House Armed Services terrorism subcommittee.
European Commission Wants Better Reporting of Breaches
The European Commission said that it would pursue a new law that would require most businesses, agencies and organizations in Europe to notify consumers when they lose sensitive customer data. Viviane Reding, the European telecommunications commissioner, said the commission, the executive arm of the European Union, would seek approval by the end of 2012 for a broad mandate requiring notification when data are lost or stolen.
European Parliament Rejects Illegal Downloading Measures
The European Parliament rejected attempts by EU governments to crackdown on illegal downloaders of music and film. The measures were part of proposals to update Europe-wide telecommunications rules.
Cybercriminals Using Fake Search Site, Firm Warns
Cybercriminals have moved on from search engine optimization techniques and are now creating fake search sites designed solely to direct Web surfers to pages hosting malware, Panda Security warned.
Google's Popularity Prompts Legal Scrutiny
Google is more than a fabulously successful company -- it is a cultural phenomenon facing increasing U.S. government scrutiny despite its chief executive's campaign support for President Barack Obama. The No. 1 Internet search company and provider of text-based search ads is finding size attracts attention from antitrust enforcers still party to a settlement with personal computer operating system giant Microsoft Corp.
Tech Companies Worried About Obama's Tax Proposal
President Obama's plan to impose U.S. taxes on corporate America's overseas profits threatens to open a big crater in the financial statements of technology companies. While additional taxes are rarely popular, Obama's decision to go after corporate earnings outside the United States is a particularly prickly subject for technology executives because the industry has been steadily boosting its overseas sales amid rising demand for its gadgetry and services.
12 Million PCs Hijacked Since January, Report Says
The Conficker worm, which has set off many a recent security alarm bell, may just be a small fry, compared to the growing number of botnets, viruses, and worms infecting cyberspace. According to a report released from security vendor McAfee, cybercriminals have hijacked 12 million new computers since January with an array of new malware.
Libraries Seek Stimulus Grants for Internet Access
The American Library Association is trying to convince the federal agencies in charge of doling out stimulus grants that libraries are the best way to extend high-speed service to the most people. The group released a survey in which nearly 60% of libraries said their Internet connections couldn't meet bandwidth demands at peak hours.
House Hearing to Focus on Peer-to-Peer Service Notices
The U.S. House of Representatives has scheduled a hearing to examine a bill that would force peer-to-peer applications to provide specific notice to consumers that their files might be shared. The hearing before a House Energy subcommittee comes about a month after reports that specifications about the helicopter used as Marine One may have been leaked through a P2P network.
EU Info Chief Wants ICANN to Drop U.S. Ties
The body in charge of assigning Internet addresses such as .com and .net should be shorn of its U.S. government links from October and made fully independent, the European Union's information society chief said. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a not-for-profit organization set up in 1998 but operates under the aegis of the U.S. Department of Commerce, a set-up that raises concerns for some as the Internet is seen as belonging to a wider constituency.
Craiglist to Discuss Sex Ads with Attorneys General
Three state attorneys general plan to meet with Craigslist representatives to begin negotiations toward eliminating advertisements from the site for prostitution and other suspected illegal sexual activities. State attorneys general from Missouri, Illinois, and Connecticut will represent a group of state attorneys general in a meeting in New York City with representatives of the Web site.
EU to Propose Sweeping Copyright License Online
Two European commissioners are proposing the creation of a Europewide copyright license for online content that could clear the way for cross-border sales of digital music, games and video -- and lower prices for consumers. The plan, to be offered by Viviane Reding, the European telecommunications and media commissioner, and Meglena Kuneva, the consumer affairs commissioner of the bloc, would allow consumers to shop online for media from any retailer in the 27-nation European Union.
FTC Investigating Board Ties Between Apple, Google
The Federal Trade Commission has begun an inquiry into whether the close ties among the boards of two of technology's most prominent companies, Apple and Google, amount to a violation of antitrust laws, according to several people briefed on the inquiry. Apple and Google share two directors, Eric E. Schmidt, chief executive of Google, and Arthur Levinson, former chief executive of Genentech.
British Spy Agency Disavows Broad Internet Plans
The UK's electronic intelligence agency has taken the unusual step of issuing a statement to deny it will track all UK internet and online phone use. Government Communications Headquarters said it was developing tracking technology but "only acts when it is necessary" and "does not spy at will."
Court Rejects Nebraska's Attempt to Tax Vonage
The latest attempt to level state taxes on VoIP service has failed after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals turned down an appeal by the Nebraska Public Service Commission to compel Vonage users to pay taxes on their service.
Experts Want Cybersecureity Chief in White House
The cybersecurity chief named to battle Internet viruses and larger challenges facing the information technology networks used by U.S. companies and national defense should be based in the White House, experts told a congressional panel. Cybersecurity is important enough to warrant a White House staffer with real authority and a real budget, said Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance and one of those who made recommendations to the Obama team.
E-mail Promoting Swine Flu Vaccine Called Malware
An e-mail referencing a vaccine for swine flu is circulating that includes a link to a malicious file on a Mexican Web site that is designed to steal bank log-in information, security firm SonicWall said. The e-mail, which is in Spanish, has a link to the Qhost.NJI Trojan on a Web site that appears to be legitimate but has probably been hacked, said Nick Bilogorskiy, manager of antivirus research at SonicWall.
