DDoS protection service provider Prolexic Technologies has, today, released a threat advisory on the use of booter shells, which allow hackers to launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks without the need for vast networks of infected zombie computers. [ + ]

Research by Context Information Security has identified potentially significant flaws in the implementation of cloud infrastructure services offered by some providers which could be putting their clients’ data at risk. By exploiting the vulnerability, which revolves around data separation, Context consultants were able to gain access to data left on other service users’ ‘dirty disks’, including fragments of customer databases and elements of system information that could, in combination with other data, allow an attacker to take control of other hosted servers. [ + ]

Network performance vendor Riverbed has appointed Avnet Technology Solutions as a distributor for the Australian market. Under the agreement, Avnet will distribute Riverbed products - including network optimisation and cloud data protection - in Australia. Avnet already distributes Riverbed products in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. [ + ]

Cybercriminals are creating fake versions of popular smartphone apps, such as Angry Birds and the popular photo-sharing app Instagram, as a way to distribute their malware and earn money from unsuspecting users, warns IT security and data protection company Sophos. [ + ]

Under a new initiative announced today, the federal government will provide up to $20.6 million worth of funding over the next two years to Australian health organisations for telehealth programs. [ + ]

Construction of NBN links to more than 3.5 million premises will be either completed or under construction by mid-2015, under a fibre rollout plan announced by the Australian federal government. [ + ]

The average cost of data breaches on Australian organisations has risen for the third year in a row, reaching $2.16 million in 2011, according to a study from Symantec and the Ponemon Institute. [ + ]

Cloud computing continues to confound Australian organisations, with many IT pros still confused by the differences between public, private and hybrid clouds. But despite this confusion, a recent panel of cloud computing experts declared that more than one third of Australian organisations are considering implementing cloud within two years, and 10-20% are currently implementing some form of the technology. [ + ]

NBN Co has finalised a contract with Visionstream Australia for the construction of the remainder of the fibre-based part of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Tasmania. [ + ]

The number of users of transactional mobile banking services will shoot from 185 million in 2011 to more than 550 million in 2016, according to a new report from Juniper Research. This surge will come from a confluence of two factors: a growing user acceptance of push mobile marketing and a sharp rise in smartphone adoption. [ + ]

Telstra Business has sent warnings to its customers and issued a list of security tips following an increase in cases of hackers gaining unauthorised access to business phone systems. [ + ]

Gen-i will build and deploy the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s cloud-based identity and access management service, as part of a five-year contract announced by the company today. [ + ]

Optus today announced results of the first trial of its 700 MHz 4G network, which attained a peak download speed of 70 megabits in the field. [ + ]

Avaya has entered into an agreement to acquire Radvision, a provider of videoconferencing and telepresence technologies over IP and wireless networks. The transaction is worth approximately US$230 million. [ + ]

The Australian government’s schemes to move to a low-carbon economy ignore the potential role of ICT in reducing carbon emissions, the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) warned today. [ + ]