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Cracking Down on Botnets
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Posted by Tim Cranton
Associate General Counsel
Botnets - networks of compromised computers controlled by hackers known as “bot-herders” - have become a serious problem in cyberspace. Their proliferation has led some to worry that the botnet problem is unsolvable. Under the control of a hacker or group of hackers, botnets are often used to conduct various attacks ranging from denial of service attacks on websites, to spamming, click fraud, and distribution of new forms of malicious software.
At Microsoft, we don’t accept the idea that botnets are a fact of life. We are a founding member of the Botnet Task Force, a public-private partnership to join industry and government in the fight against bots. Given the recent spread of botnets, we are getting even more creative and aggressive in the fight against botnets and all forms of cybercrime. That’s why I’m proud to announce that through legal action and technical cooperation with industry partners, we have executed a major botnet takedown of Waledac, a large and well-known “spambot.”
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Empowering Families in the Digital Age
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Posted by Steve Crown
Deputy General Counsel and Vice President, Entertainment & Devices
I recently spent time in Washington, D.C., meeting with leading child safety experts who focus on addressing technology’s impact on kids. I was eager to gain new insights as we build out our Get Game Smart public education initiative, which we launched in January. I also wanted to hear these experts’ thoughts on ways we can improve Microsoft products and platforms to better meet parents’ needs, a topic I spoke about at a panel hosted by the Progress and Freedom Foundation during my visit (you can listen to it here).
These child safety leaders gave me a great level-set about the challenges we’re all working to address. They confirmed that while parents want their families to embrace the digital age and all the advantages it can bring, many remain uncertain how to do it safely and appropriately. Whether it’s a lack of awareness, our busy lifestyles or the intimidation of new technology, too many parents are not taking advantage of parental controls that can help prevent kids from interacting with strangers online or viewing inappropriate content.
With the rise of handheld devices and increased access to the Internet, it’s harder than ever for parents to monitor what their children see and who they talk to online. It’s no longer enough to keep the PC in the family room. “Sexting,” cyber-bullying and “digital reputations” have come to the fore as some of the toughest issues to manage. As a result, child safety experts are turning their focus to helping kids deal with each other.
We talked about ways to ensure that kids understand that the information they share, the pictures they post and the messages they leave on social networks have a long shelf-life. Inappropriate use of social networks can harm young adults’ social standing, their experiences in college and even their chances in the job market. There is no single response to these challenges. I shared some of the ways we at Microsoft are trying to reach families through our Get Game Smart site, in schools, via retailers, and by engaging with community organizations and social networks.
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Saying No to “Spim”
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Posted by Tim Cranton
Associate General Counsel, Internet Safety Enforcement
Have you ever received an instant message that prompts you to click on a mysterious link? Or been asked to share your IM account information, only to have it used to spam all of your friends?
Such instant messaging spam, or “spim,” can take the fun -- and utility -- out of instant messaging. And cybercriminals know that for many Internet users, the threat of spim is not yet widely understood. Spim is more than just an annoyance. It’s a serious threat to online privacy and security. Spim campaigns that employ phishing tactics to get your account information can put all the personal information associated with your account at risk.
A few weeks ago, I talked with you about Microsoft’s enforcement efforts to help promote Internet safety for consumers, advertisers and the industry at large. Today, as part of our ongoing commitment to online safety, Microsoft is taking additional legal action to help protect our customers against IM spim and account phishing.
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PointSmart.ClickSafe: Laudable Principles for Online Safety
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Posted by Adrienne Hall
General Manager, Trustworthy Computing
Like most parents, I want to help my children enjoy a safer and more enriching online experience. This is a complex problem that lots of people are trying to solve and, to that end, we’ve seen a series of high-profile commissions and reports, each with its own set of recommendations to improve online safety.
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Advancing Security and Transparency in Online Advertising
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Posted by Mike Hintze
Associate General Counsel
I wanted to take a moment to highlight an important advance in protecting consumers online. The Self-Regulatory Principles For Online Behavioral Advertising announced today require online advertisers and Web sites to provide clear notice to consumers about the data collected about them, and to give consumers control over that information. Participating groups include the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the Association of National Advertisers, the Direct Marketing Association, the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).
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Another Notable Tool for Combating Click-Fraud
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Posted by Tim Cranton
Associate General Counsel
In case you missed today’s announcement on the Microsoft AdCenter blog, I wanted to share the news that Microsoft has become one of the first companies in the online advertising industry to achieve click measurement standards accreditation from the Media Rating Council (MRC), indicating our compliance with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)’s Click Measurement Guidelines and the MRC’s Minimum Standards for Media Rating Research.
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How to Make Online Gaming and Entertainment Safe for Our Kids
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Updated March 5, 11:40 a.m. PT
Posted by Robbie Bach
President, Entertainment and Devices Division
As the post below mentioned, Microsoft hosted a reception in Washington, D.C. on March 4 to discuss our commitment to equip parents with easy-to-use tools to help ensure their children's digital entertainment experiences are healthy, balanced and age-appropriate. Click Read More to view the full post and video of Robbie Bach, President, Entertainment and Devices Division, speaking at the event.
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Working Together to Fight Fraud Online
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Posted by Tim Cranton
Associate General Counsel
Earlier today the Federal Trade Commission kicked off a two-day “Fraud Forum” in Washington, D.C., that is bringing together regulators, law enforcement officers, consumer advocates, academics and business leaders to swap ideas and advance cooperation to combat illegal online activities that cost citizens and businesses millions of dollars each year.
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Microsoft Encourages Parents to “Get Game Smart”
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Posted by Robbie Bach
President, Entertainment and Devices Division Today’s digital world is an exciting place for kids, offering a mind-boggling array of high-tech diversions. Recent statistics speak volumes. According to recent PEW studies, 97 percent of teens play video games and 65 percent of online teens use social networking technologies. Xbox 360 hosts one of the largest social network on the planet with over 17 million members on our Xbox LIVE service, up 70 percent in 2008.
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Microsoft, Girl Scouts Join Forces to Improve Online Safety
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Posted by David Bowermaster
Administrator, Microsoft on the Issues
This morning we announced a new collaboration with the Girl Scouts of the USA aimed at improving online safety. As families search for the best ways to protect their kids online, a big challenge is finding resources tailored to people in different phases of their lives.
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