To the Point
Cyber Security and Internet Freedom
The Internet is now essential to the global economy, the military and politics. But users are vulnerable to attacks from the inside as well as the outside. We talk with one of America's most notorious cyber criminals, now a security consultant, and others about cyber security. Also, what's left of the UN conference on climate change.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenThe Internet is now essential to the global economy, the military and politics. But users are vulnerable to attacks from the inside as well as the outside. We talk with one of America's most notorious cyber criminals, now a security consultant, and others about cyber security. Also, forget another international agreement to replace the Kyoto protocols. Climate change will now be addressed by a patchwork of solutions agreed to by individual nations.
Banner image: The logos of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are seen on computer terminals in a training room of the US Cyber Crimes Center in Fairfax, Virginia. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesIt's One Crazy Lame Duck Session
With the lame-duck Congress still facing a mountain of legislation, Senators who agree with each other are squabbling among themselves and House Democrats have picked a fight with President Obama. Anyone watching could be excused for being completely confused, according to Michael Shear of the New York Times, chief writer of its Caucus blog.
Read the story1 minCyber Security and Internet Freedom
This has been the biggest year ever for cyber crime, from Stuxnet, the worm that was deployed to disrupt Iran's nuclear program, to China's attack on Google. Now defenders of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks have launched "Denial of Service" attacks on Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and Amazon.
Read the story36 minGlobal Warming Negotiations Down to the Wire in Cancun
For 20 years, international policy makers have assumed that climate change would be the subject of a worldwide agreement. Key nations would agree to reduce greenhouse gases and trade carbon emissions in a common market. Instead, California businesses will pay to preserve tropical forests in Mexico and Brazil.
Read the story7 min