James R. Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence told a congressional panel today (02/02) that the threat to U.S.-based computer networks is one of the country's most pressing security problems. Clapper stated that the United States is losing some $300 billion annually in cyber-based corporate espionage while sustaining daily intrusions against public systems controlling everything from major defense weapons systems to electricity and banking. Clapper, among others, urged lawmakers to pass a bill that forces intelligence sharing between the government and the private sector.

Netfleet, Australia's largest Internet domain name auction house reported they had been hacked and client's home addresses, account information, phone numbers and encrypted credit card information could have been accessed. The incident has been reported to clients, the Australian Federal Police and CERT Australia. Netfleet's web site was taken offline yesterday.

Israeli websites continue to face the threat of cyber attacks, with some of the most recent and high-profile targets being the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and El Al Airlines. The victimized websites, although affected by the attacks, were not knocked offline or immobilized.

A pro-Palestinian group called "Nightmare" has taken credit for these latest hacks, and warns of more to come. Other groups, like Hamas, are also calling for increased cyber attacks on Israel.

In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, a 17 year-old Israeli hacker who has already published hundreds of Saudi credit card numbers on the Internet, claims this is only the beginning of retaliation against hackers who claim to be Saudis who recently also published thousands of Israeli credit card details. On Wednesday (01/11) the alleged Saudi hacker called for other anti-Israel online activists to increase their attacks.

JPost.com - "We have over 300 Saudi credit card numbers in our possession... and the personal details of over 10,000 people in Saudi Arabia, including full names, e-mails and addresses. If they publish one more little detail on Israel, we will attack in full force and publish all of the credit card details."

After hackers posted what purports to be an Indian military intelligence email document on cyber security that discusses plans to target the US-China Economic and Security review Commission using technical know-how provided by Western mobile phone manufacturers, the U.S. has the matter under investigation. The email documents in question have yet to be independently verified. An India-based website has quoted an unidentified Indian army official as denying India used mobile companies to spy on the commission and they claim the documents are forged. The purported memo says India cut a technological agreement, whose details are not clear, with mobile manufacturers "in exchange for the Indian market presence."

With governments and corporations around the world under constant cyber attack and with security breaches being more frequent and costly, companies are spending big bucks to increase their capabilities through acquisition so they can more effectively tap into the growing and lucrative market. Here is a list of some of the biggest and most significant acquisitions of 2011.

January 2 rumors of Fidel Castro's death, along with a photo began flying around the Internet and became one of the most tweeted items of the day. However, the newest info is that the rumor is a hoax designed to spread a dangerous computer virus. Last August an email that Castro was dead is reported to have infected computers when the attached video report was accessed.

Press Release:

McAfee today (12/28) unveiled its 2012 Threat Predictions report, outlining the top threats that McAfee foresees for the coming year. The list indicates that emerging threats from 2011 are on track to become the major players for cyberactivity in 2012, including mobile banking, "legal" spam and virtual currency. McAfee Labs also predicts that attacks involving political motivation or notoriety will also make headlines, including high-profile industrial attacks, cyberwarfare demonstrations and hacktivist attacks targeting public figures.