While new technology and increased Internet access brings with it lots of positive aspects, you can’t overlook the threat of cyber attacks – as evidenced by a very headline rich 2011. The repercussions alone can be devastating to an organization lacking the infrastructure to detect and counter such attacks. To put this into perspective, take Algeria for example. Internet access in Algeria has grown exponentially during the past decade, reaching over four million households, cybercafés, as well as many different public and private institutions. This phenomenon has undoubtedly benefited the indigenous population by exposing them to vast amounts of information and the ability to communicate worldwide, but it has also brought with it the dangers of cyber attacks. Let’s reacquaint ourselves with the reasons we need to be more vigilant in increasing awareness of cyber attacks by looking at what is going on in Algeria.

Despite laws enacted in 2001 to combat digital-related incidents, cyber crime is still pervasive in Algeria. This is due not only to a lack of detection tools, awareness and training courses, but also to the negligence of private and public institutions in protecting their intellectual properties online. In 2010, the Center for Judicial and Judiciary Research (a branch of the Algerian Department of Justice) began developing and implementing cyber security laws. Until then, the field went mostly unregulated. Since 2010, 12 cases have been reported and to-date there has been eighty-eight cases brought to Justice.

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Background
The proliferation of counterfeit and pirated goods poses considerable challenges for legitimate trade and the sustainable development of the world economy. Trade in these counterfeit and pirated goods causes significant financial losses for right holders and legitimate businesses. It also hinders sustainable economic development in both developed and developing countries and, in some cases, represents a health or safety risk to consumers.

As a result, in October 2007, the United States, the European Community, Switzerland and Japan simultaneously announced that they would negotiate a new intellectual property enforcement treaty, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, or ACTA. ACTA represents a significant achievement in the fight against the infringement of intellectual property rights, particularly against the proliferation of counterfeiting and piracy on a global scale, and provides a mechanism for the parties to work together in a more collaborative manner to achieve the common goal of effective Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement. When it enters into force with all participants, ACTA will formalize the legal foundation for a first-of-its-kind alliance of trading partners, representing more than half of world trade.

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Congratulations! Your company has come up with a brand new widget that’s going to change the world, and it needs a name. Naturally, in your role as a savvy brand manager, before making any decisions about the new name you check to see whether the domain name for your company’s new product is taken. Read the rest of this entry »

The information below is an update to the following blog posting: How Will ICANN’s Newest Domain Name Program Affect Your Company’s Brand?

Trademark owners outside of the adult industry may sign up with ICM Registry to block trademarks from showing up on its new .XXX gTLD. Trademark owners have been making several common errors when applying for a .XXX gTLD.[1] If your company plans on submitting an application before the Sunrise B October 28, 2011 deadline, keeping these mistakes in mind can help you avoid paying multiple fees and having to reapply.[2]
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As with any network-connected device, mobile phones and the applications they run bring their own security problems. While newer phenomena like QR codes and mobile botnets will likely be a growing concern, spam sent by text messages remains an issue for carriers and mobile phone users. Read the rest of this entry »

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has instituted a new generic top-level domain (gTLD) program that will create a means for prospective registry operators to apply for new gTLDs, and create new options for consumers in the market. Every domain name around the world ends with a top-level domain (TLD); these are the two or more letters that come after the dot following a web address. Read the rest of this entry »

This week the Department of Justice announced that Google will forfeit $500M for “allowing online Canadian pharmacies to place advertisements through its AdWords program targeting consumers in the United States”. Read the rest of this entry »

Excellent overview of recent landmark phishing case along with joint NAFCU-Cyveillance podcast: http://blog.nafcuservices.com/2011/08/23/landmark-legal-case-if-your-members-have-been-phished-your-credit-union-may-have-to-pay/

A targeted scam or “Spear Phishing” attack making the rounds today invokes the National Security Agency and takes advantage of recent news about a hack of RSA’s two-factor security tokens. Cyveillance has now captured examples and reports of several variants of this email, most sent under the subject lines “Token Code Update” or “Security Token Update”. Read the rest of this entry »

If there’s any message you should take away about utilizing social media in a secure manner, it can be summarized in one word: education. Read the rest of this entry »