Internet News April 2011

So, I thought I would take a look around the 'net and see what is going on in the news. These are some headlines and stories that caught my eye.

Several 100,000 websites were hit in a massive SQL injection cyber attack on April 1st. According to the BBC,

The hi-tech criminals used a well-known attack vector that exploits security loopholes on other sites to insert a link to their website.

Those visiting the criminals' webpage were told that their machines were infected with many different viruses.

Swift action by security researchers has managed to get the sites offering the sham software shut down. Source.

Twitter may have followers in the millions, but the new world record for comments on a facebook post now stands at a whopping 416,000, set by Roberto Esposito - on this post.

The United States continues it's relentless attack on Amazon and other online retailer to claim sales taxes on inter-state orders. Illinois joins a growing number of states who now insist that any affiliate living in-state counts as a physical presence in that state. Amazon (and hundreds of other online retailers that offer affiliate commissions) reacted by immediately ejecting all affiliates in Illinois from their program. Those booted by Amazon can get some short term help here - Booted By Amazon .com - although this does seem to be the death knell for many affiliate programs. Those of you used to making money online with Amazon etc might want to either move to Delaware or look at a day job.

The US is not the only country slow to react to the massive growth of the Internet and the French are trying desperately to stem the flow of goods being ordered online. Sooner or later, the government Incs will crush the internet under a massive range of rules, regulations and taxes.