The Future of Online Security – Be Aware

Part of what I do here in the iLegal column is attempt to assist affiliates who might not have the resources to hire their own counsel. That means directing them to resources they can use to keep themselves educated and out of trouble. There’s nothing highly original or complex to be found in this column, but hopefully it gives you a jump towards educating yourself.

A unique opportunity for self education in Internet security was recently released by McAfee Avert Labs. This is the second Sage report, and it contains multiple articles on the current state of Internet security and cyber crime. It’s not a pitch for McAfee products, but rather a "semiannual objective forum of leading-edge security research, analysis, trends, and opinion." In the current edition, you’ll find an examination of the near-term future of the security issues, threats and defenses that we’ll face in the Internet industry over the next five years.

Here’s a quick summary of some of the things you’ll find in this issue of Sage, from McAfee.

"The Future of Cybercrime. There’s no end in sight to the struggle for supremacy between security forces and malware writers, who are branching out into new modes of attack.

Securing Applications.  Shouldn’t our apps finally be secure? In spite of improvements in software development, malware continues to find gaps to exploit.

The Future of Security, Vista Edition. Microsoft has taken steps to tighten up Windows, yet some of its choices still leave users vulnerable.

Spyware Grows Up. At first a tool for gathering data on Web surfers, spyware has become more malicious—and it’s following us into our increasingly mobile world.

Email’s Spam Plague Persists. Although filters catch most unwanted text, spam keeps up its effectiveness by shifting to pictures.

Online Crime Migrates to Mobile Phones. As our cell usage climbs, unfamiliar threats are heading our way.

Closing the Data Leakage Tap. From lost laptops to forensic follow-up, you need policies to protect your corporate assets.

Managing Risk. Keep your IT department relevant by letting business needs drive security decisions."

I suggest reading the whole thing so that you’re on top of your game. View the full report in PDF at http://www.mcafee.com/us/local_content/misc/sage_0407.pdf.

Remember, it’s your duty, both legally and ethically to educate yourself. It’s also good business, and allows you to sleep well at night knowing that you’re not going to find yourself surprised by risks, legal or otherwise. If you constantly educate yourself, your reputation as someone who knows the rules, regulations, risks and rewards will lead to long term success in the affiliate industry.

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Come back to the iLegal column every week as we get specific about the rules, regulations, laws and trends that affect the online advertising industry. Each week we discuss important legal issues, talk about how to avoid the pitfalls, and cover the breaking legal and regulatory advertising industry news.

Legal Disclaimer: Information conveyed in this column is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Digital Moses, and is not guaranteed to be complete, correct, or up-to-date. The column is provided for "information purposes" only and should not be relied upon as "legal advice." This information is not intended to substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney. No person should act or rely on any information in this column without seeking the advice of an attorney.

Mark Meckler is the General Counsel for UniqueLeads.com, Inc., and Unique Lists, Inc.

Copyright 2007 Mark J. Meckler