Survey predicts 'devastating` Net attack

At least one devastating attack will occur on the Internet, a Pew Internet and American Life Project survey has found.

Of those questioned in the survey, two-thirds of respondents - including many government officials, notably some from the Department of Homeland Security - said the Internet could be disrupted by a significant attack on the infrastructure in which key nodes or domain names were disabled, perhaps for a long time.

Another possibility was a narrower attack in which the Internet applications of a key provider - such as bank or power grid - were disrupted. Respondents also suggested that an especially virulent form of virus or worm could also cause massive disruption around the world.

According to Enterprise Security Today, the Internet has become solidly integrated into most business and public operations, and a worst-case scenario attack could cause major economic disruption and even significant loss of life should power utilities or emergency care facilities become inoperable.

Microsoft CFO John Connors is leaving the software giant to take up a partner position at a venture capital firm, Reuters reports.

Connors says he works more than 55 hours a week at Microsoft, and wanted to spend more time being involved with Pacific Northwest companies, initiatives and projects, and to spend more time with his wife and four children.

His last major task at Microsoft will be to report the company`s latest quarterly earnings on 27 January and help find a new CFO.

Connors will join Ignition Partners LLC, a venture capital firm based in Washington.

One possible replacement for Connors is Microsoft`s corporate controller Scott Di Valerio, who came from the same position at Walt Disney.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) yesterday won an order to shut down illegal online advertising for six companies accused of profiting from sexually explicit e-mail, AP reports.

The case marked the first time the FTC has taken action under a rule that requires a label in the subject line of sexually explicit e-mails, in order to make it easier for parents and others to filter such messages. The law also holds others liable for operating Web sites that benefit from fraudulent pornographic spam.

Pornographic spam is considered especially problematic because it can be delivered to the mailboxes of children.

The commission originally sought an injunction halting the company`s illegal e-mail advertisements. The judge agreed to a temporary ban on 5 January, which he then extended yesterday.