contributed by Evil Wench
In an attempt to give federal agencies some sort of guideline on how to secure their systems the Government Accounting Office has released the Information Security Risk Assessment: Practices of Leading Organizations report. The report details security programs used by four unnamed organizations, which included oil, financial and computer companies and one federal regulatory agency. The report goes on to identify seven critical factors of a successful ongoing security risk-assessment program.

Federal Computer Week
General Accounting Office

contributed by Jordan
The Cyberspace Electronic Security Act, a recent proposal, which if it became law, would allow law enforcement agents to break into your personal PC, is forcing people to seek out ways to protect themselves. One of the methods people have been looking at is Freedom from Zero Knowledge Systems. While the software is still in Beta it promises complete anonymity on the internet. Freedom Beta 3 is nearing completion and is slated for release during the first week in September. The new beta will have increased functionality, stability and ease of use.

Freedom
Zero Knowledge CESA Info Page

CNN

contributed by Code Kid
Netsentry.net and all IPs in the 38.x.x.x range appear to be systematically scanned. Owners of machines in that range, which is controlled by PSINet want action to be taken, but what action? So far scanning is not illegal, so what can be done? And who is doing the scans and why?

MSNBC

contributed by Hosimi
The Akita Prefectural Police are investigating the activities of a civil servant who allegedly posted accounting software and MP3s to the internet in violation of copyright law. The suspect had all of his computer equipment confiscated last month.

Asia Biz Tech

contributed by Code Kid
Last week the web domain registration of www.godhatesfags.com was altered to point to the same people who own the www.godlovesfags.com. The change was accomplished by someone using an anonymous remailer with the internic registration database. The admins of www.godlovesfags.com has returned the domain to the original owner.

CNN

contributed by Ryan
In an effort to promote discussion on potential or undeveloped holes a new mailing list has been created by the folks at Security Focus. The list will be dedicated to interactively developing exploits.

Security Focus