Critical Java zero-day bug

A previously unknown and currently unpatched security hole in the latest version of the Java software framework is under attack online, according to security researchers and bloggers:

• Malware Don't Need Coffee.
• Krebs On Security.
• Kaspersky Lab.

Foursquare To Start Sharing More Of Your Data

Foursquare has been sending out an email to its users informing them that as of January 28, it will add in two new items that will reveal more user data than before: the use of full names and the ability for businesses to access longer data logs for individuals.

Why the entertainment industry's release strategy creates piracy

As The Guardian points out, if companies refuse to release films or TV shows in US and UK at same time, they only have themselves to blame for piracy.

This may sound a bit harsh but if you want people to buy media, you have to offer it for sale. If it's not for sale, they won't buy it, but many of them will still want to watch or hear or play it, and will turn to the dark side of the internet to get – for free – the media that no one will sell to them.

This isn't a surprising research finding. Everyone who's ever run a business or worked in any kind of sales job knows that rule one is to make a product that people want and then offer it at a price they're willing to pay. Doing this won't always make you rich, but no one ever got rich without starting from there.

PayPal Bans Hosting Provider PRQ

PRQ, the infamous ISP created by Fredrik Neij and Gottfrid Svartholm of The Pirate Bay, has been nuked by PayPal.

PayPal ended their relationship with the so-called bullet-proof hoster by freezing the company's funds for up to 6 months. On PayPal's advice PRQ opened a second account to get by while the dispute was being sorted out, but, according to TorrentFreak, PayPal seized those funds too.

This isn't the first time Paypal has closed accounts of companies providing services that are popular with Bittorrent users. In June, Paypal banned TorGuard, a company that offers VPN and proxy services. In the case of PRQ however, things are more complicated than that. PRQ has long a long history of defending the freedom of speech of its users and had as such gained a reputation as a safe harbor for whistle-blowers and political activists.

D-root is changing its IPv4 address on the 3rd of January

There is a scheduled change to the IPv4 address for one of the authorities listed for the DNS root zone and the .ARPA TLD. The change is to D.ROOT-SERVERS.NET, which is administered by the University of Maryland. The new IPv4 address for this authority is 199.7.91.13. The current IPv6 address for this authority is 2001:500:2d::d and it will continue to remain unchanged.

Don't use the Google Disavow tool

Matt explains why:

Essentially the Google Disavow tool is nothing more than a glorified crowd sourcing project.

Why try to identify low quality links via algorithmic signals when you can get an army of millions of webmasters around the world to do it for you?

And what better way to motivate that army than by telling them if they do all this work it will help

them?

It's nothing more than a bulk snitching tool dressed up as a solution to a problem it doesn't actually solve.

Freelancer.com acquires vWorker

After their recent acquisition of Scriptlance, Freelancer.com now also acquired vWorker (former Rent-a-Coder).

VWorker account holder received the following email:

Freelancer.com is proud to announce that we have just acquired vWorker, and we are delighted to welcome you to our vibrant freelancing marketplace. We have a suite of great features that will be of benefit to you, including our Rewards system and our great UI.

Our Rewards system is our way of recognising your professionalism and performance, and as you gain experience points, you will unlock unique benefits for your account, badges for your profile, and Freelancer.com credits. Basic, Standard and Premium members can then redeem these credits for rewards, including highlighted bids, a Freelancer T-shirt, and even a Skype session with the CEO!

Our UI is clean and intuitive. Gone are the days of tearing your hair out trying to manage a project. Freelancer.com streamlines and simplifies communication between employer and freelancer, taking the stress out of managing and working on projects.

Your vWorker account has been migrated into our marketplace. Included in this migration is your profile, balances, reputation, messages, existing and past projects, feedback, attachments and more. The migration of your feedback, attachments and past projects may take up to two weeks. During this time, your reputation may vary slightly - but after two weeks, it should very closely match the reputation you had on vWorker. We will also be giving you a unique vWorker Foundation Member badge!