Provided by CommunityDNS, the information in this post consists of news items in the security-based Internet community.

The Growing Threat of Cyberwarfare

The following story examines the blurring of the line between the definitions of cyberwarfare and cyber crime.

With the Heartland case, where around 100 million credit card numbers and credentials were stolen, the Russian hackers outsourced the malicious code development to a firm in India. The same Russian firm has also breached 300 other financial institutions. This appears to be a clear definition of cyber crime.

However, when groups with political ties are at the basis of attacks, are we talking cyber crime or cyberwarfare? It has been reported that Al-Qaeda has, in its quest to finance its operations, attacked banks worldwide bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars. With the attack on Georgia and Estonia, citizens sympathetic to the Russian side of a debate launched attacks, not the governments. So when there is no trace to governments backing such initiatives, are such attacks to be considered cyberwarfare or cyber crime? Understanding such definitions can have an impact on how the attacked country responds.

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Symantec: Rogue Security Software is Big Business for Crooks

A recent study reveals that rogue security software brings in the money for cyber criminals. From July, 2008 to June, 2009, 250 unique rogue security software programs existed. Those behind the rogue software typically rely on the affiliate model whereby others receive a price per rogue software sold. For example, an affiliate can earn $0.01 to $0.55 for each successful installation of the rogue software. Installations on computers in the US fetch the highest price, followed by the UK, Canada and then Australia.

Affiliates often use legitimate payment processing firms to process credit card information. At the same time, the credit card information is also copied for further use by cyber criminals.

Such cyber criminals are believed to have earned more than £750,000 per year.

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Broadband a legal right from 2010 in Finland

With the recent passage of a new law Finland has become the first country to proclaim broadband as a legal right for its citizens. While already having a 95% penetration rate it is felt the new law will help ensure every citizen has access to broadband.

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Hurdles remain as FCC ponders Internet data rules

With the goal of ensuring every user in the US the ability of accessing any website they wish and access any online service they want the FCC is nearing time to vote on adopting six basic rules from which the FCC will base its future direction regarding Net neutrality.

Large companies who have spent billions in deploying a network wish to receive a healthy return on their investment. Smaller network providers may not be able to afford to expand their networks to keep pace with bandwidth requirements demanded by some applications.

Comcast, who is already fighting the FCC over a Net neutrality issue argues that the FCC does not have the authority to enforce such rules as based upon the US Supreme Court’s 2002 ruling of the FCC’s deregulation of Internet service.

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