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Submission + - Google, Microsoft, Yahoo Join Forces to Create New Encrypted Email Protocol

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: A group of independent security researchers and major Silicon Valley tech giants have submitted last Friday a proposal for a new email protocol called SMTP STS (Strict Transport Security). The protocol is to SMTP STARTTLS what HSTS is to HTTPS, meaning it's set to ensure message confidentiality and server authenticity, issues to which STARTTLS is subject to via MitM and SSL/TLS downgrade attacks.

The biggest names on the contributors list include Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, LinkedIn, and Comcast. Last year, Oracle also submitted a similar proposal called DEEP (Deployable Enhanced Email Privacy).

Submission + - China Bans Government Purchases of Windows 8 (itworld.com)

Submitted by itwbennett
itwbennett writes: Last week, China's Central Government Procurement Center posted a notice on new requirements for government tender, that included, among other things, the mysterious request that Windows 8 be excluded from the bidding process on computer purchases. The agency could not be reached Tuesday, but China's state-controlled Xinhua News Agency said that the government was forbidding the use of Windows 8 after Microsoft recently ended official support for Windows XP.
Cloud

Submission + - US Government Says You Don't Own Your Cloud Data so We Can Access It At Any Time (eff.org) 2

Submitted by jest3r
jest3r writes: Yesterday the EFF filed a brief proposing a process for the Court in the Megaupload case to hold the government accountable for the actions it took (and failed to take) when it shut down Megaupload's service and denied third parties access to their property. Many businesses used Megaupload's cloud service to store and share files not related to piracy. The government is calling for a long, drawn-out process that would require individuals or small companies to travel to courts far away and engage in multiple hearings just to get their own property back. The government's argument that you lose all your property rights by storing your data on the cloud could apply to Amazon's S3 or Google Apps or or Apple iCloud services as well.

Submission + - NYC Data Center Needs Focus on Fuel (slashdot.org)

Submitted by
Nerval's Lobster
Nerval's Lobster writes: "Who knew that the most critical element of operating a data center in New York City was ensuring a steady supply of diesel fuel? In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the challenges facing data center operators in the affected zones include pumping water from basements, waiting for utility power to be restored, and managing fuel-truck deliveries. And it’s become increasingly clear which companies had the resources and foresight to plan for a disaster like Sandy, and which are simply reacting. Here’s the latest on providers around the New York area."
Piracy

Submission + - Rapidshare Fighting Piracy By Slowing Download Speeds (torrentfreak.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: File hosting sites have been under increased pressure since the shutdown of Megaupload — both from law enforcement and from the influx of new users. RapidShare, already dealing with a reputation as a facilitator of piracy, has now instituted a policy they hope will drive pirates away: download speed caps for its free service. In a statement to TorrentFreak, the company said, 'RapidShare has been faced with a severe increase in free user traffic and unfortunately also in the amount of abuse of our service ever since, suggesting that quite a few copyright infringers have chosen RapidShare as their new hoster of choice for their illegal activities. We have thus decided to take a painful yet effective step: to reduce the download speed for free users. We are confident that this will make RapidShare very unpopular amongst pirates and thus drive the abusive traffic away.'

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