About two-thirds of Americans object to online tracking by advertisers -- and that number rises once they learn the different ways marketers are following their online movements, according to a new survey from professors at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Berkeley. The professors say they believe the study is the first independent, nationally representative telephone survey on behavioral advertising.
Court Reverses $388 Million Microsoft Patent Ruling
A federal court reversed an earlier ruling that Microsoft's product activation technology infringed on another company's patent, overturning a $388 million verdict in the case. In a ruling, the court vacated the earlier decision and decided the case in Microsoft's favor.
Hate Speech Growing on Social Networking Sites
Complaints against groups on social networking sites that call for threats, violence and hatred toward people who are Jewish, black, gay or have disabilities are on the rise as Americans celebrate the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the country rallies around its first black president, and gay marriage is legalized in some states.
Google Asks EU to Force Browser Choices on Microsoft
Google is among Web-browser makers asking the European Union to force Microsoft to make it easier to choose alternatives to Internet Explorer under terms of an EU antitrust settlement, a person familiar with the matter said. Google joined Opera Software ASA and Mozilla Corp., maker of the Firefox browser, in protesting aspects of Microsoft's proposal for a "ballot screen," said the person, who declined to be identified because the complaints aren't public.
Google Employees on Trial in Milan Over Video
The trial of four Google employees has begun in Milan with an engineer from the search giant giving evidence. The employees are accused of breaking Italian law in allowing a video of a teenager with Down's Syndrome to be posted online.
59% of PCs Infected by Malware, Security Firm Says
A rise in malware has caused the number of infected PCs worldwide to increase 15 percent just from August to September, says a report released from antivirus vendor Panda Security. Across the globe, the average number of PCs hit by malware now stands around 59 percent, an all-time high for the year.
Trojan Horse Steals Money from Online Bank Accounts
Researchers at security firm Finjan have discovered details of a new type of banking Trojan horse that doesn't just steal your bank log in credentials but actually steals money from your account while you are logged in and displays a fake balance.
Expanding U.S. Broadband Usage Could Cost $350 Billion
Expanding broadband usage throughout the United States will require subsidies and investment in infrastructure upgrades of as much as $350 billion, a regulatory panel said. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is crafting a national broadband plan aimed at increasing usage in rural and urban areas.
EU Seeks to Limit Hearing Loss from Music Players
The European Union said it wants makers of popular digital music players to recommend users turn the volume down to preserve their hearing. The EU's Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said experts and industry will together draft tougher standards to limit hearing loss.
Websites Using .yu Getting Replaced by .rs and .me
Websites using the .yu domain extension will cease to be available online from 30 September. The extension -- assigned to the former Republic of Yugoslavia -- has been replaced by .rs (for Serbia) and .me (for Montenegro).
Cybercriminals Get Trickier, Forcing Users to Get Smarter
Cybercriminals have gotten craftier, often looking toward popular trends and events -- such as tax season, the mortgage meltdown and the growth of social media -- to scam people into giving them sensitive information. To protect their privacy online, computer users need to stay informed about the criminals' methods and to learn basic principles of caution.
U.S. Relaxes Control Over ICANN in New Agreement
The U.S. government is expected to relax control over how the Internet is run when it signs an accord with net regulator ICANN. The "affirmation of commitments" will reportedly give Icann autonomy to run its own affairs for the first time.
Facebook Drops Poll Asking, "Should Obama be Killed?"
Facebook has removed a poll asking "Should Obama be killed?" But not before at least 730 people took part in the poll.
Bank, Google Resolve Issue Over Gmail Account
A bank that accidentally sent sensitive customer information to a Gmail address and persuaded a judge to order Google to deactivate the account has resolved the issue with Google and the companies have filed a motion to dismiss the case. Google spokesman Andrew Pederson declined to say exactly how the issue was resolved or to identify the owner of the Gmail account.
Google Tells Android Developer to Shut Down
Google has ordered a custom Android developer to stop distributing his software because it includes the search giant's proprietary applications such as YouTube, Gmail and Maps. The programmer of the CyanogenMod ROM was served a cease-and-desist order because Google took issue with the software for modifying and distributing its applications.
Debate Continues Over U.S. Role in Digital Disaster
When a Senate committee was exploring ways to secure computer networks, a provision to give the president the power to shut down Internet traffic to compromised websites in an emergency set off alarms. Lawmakers dropped it, but the debate rages on.
AT&T Tells FCC Google Voice Violates Net Neutrality
AT&T is accusing Google of being a hypocrite when it comes to Net neutrality because it blocks certain phone calls on its Google Voice service. The carrier has written a letter to the Federal Communications Commission claiming that Google has violated the agency's Net neutrality principles, which Google has long supported.
Mother Sues Youths Over Son's Fake Facebook Profile
A mother is fighting back against four youngsters she said created a fake Facebook account of her son, posting racist and sexual information purportedly by him. The mother, Laura Cook, filed a lawsuit against the youths identified only by their initials, claiming they purposely defamed her teenage son and damaged his reputation.
Judge Orders Google to Disclose Gmail User in Bank Case
In a highly unusual move, a federal judge has ordered Google to deactivate the e-mail account of a user who was mistakenly sent confidential financial information by a bank. The order, issued by U.S. District Court Judge James Ware in the northern district of California, also requires Google to disclose the Gmail account holder's identity and contact information.
Bank Sued for Not Doing More to Stop Cyber Crooks
A construction firm in Maine is suing a local bank after cyber thieves stole more than a half million dollars from the company in a sophisticated online bank heist. The lawsuit alleges that Ocean Bank did not do enough to prevent cyber crooks from transferring approximately $588,000 to dozens of co-conspirators throughout the United States over an eight-day period in May.
