3Com this week is expected to launch a program that offers cash to members of the security community in return for information on potentially damaging Internet-based security threats. Its Zero Day Initiative is an attempt to prompt the disclosure of security vulnerabilities quicker by giving independent security researchers incentive for pointing out holes in software and hardware products that could lead to network attacks. Some observers call the program a positive step toward making networks safer, while others question how such a payoff system would work, or whether third-party vendors -- including 3Com competitors -- would react negatively to a system under which 3Com gives money to individuals for information about product vulnerability before the affected vendors know about them. . "We're going to be able to address a large amount of researchers who may not necessarily be contacting vendors on their findings regarding security vulnerabilities," said David Endler, director of security research at 3Com's TippingPoint division. 3Com acquired intrusion-detection system and security vendor TippingPoint in 2004 for $451 million. The link for this article located at ComputerWorld is no longer available. . 3Link's latest program presents monetary incentives for warning signs reported by cybersecurity experts to enhance online security.. Threat Research, Security Initiative, Network Safety, Software Bugs. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
What would it take to get someone to turn in one of those spammers who send millions of unwanted e-mails? At least $100,000, the Federal Trade Commission figures. . . .. What would it take to get someone to turn in one of those spammers who send millions of unwanted e-mails? At least $100,000, the Federal Trade Commission figures. Six-figure incentives are the only way to persuade people to disclose the identity of co-workers, friends and others they know are responsible for flooding online mailboxes with unsolicited pitches for prescription drugs, weight loss plans and other products, according to an agency report Thursday. The commission said a government-funded reward system could work if the payoff was between $100,000 and $250,000 -- higher than rewards in most high-profile criminal and terrorism cases. For example, the FBI pays $50,000 for tips leading to the arrests of most of its top 10 fugitives. The FTC, in a report requested by Congress, did not take a position on whether such a system was a good idea. The report said any reward should come from taxpayer funds because collection of civil penalties from spammers will not be enough to finance the system, according to Allen Hile, assistant director in the agency's division of marketing practices. "All of our cases end in a court order, but substantially fewer end up in assessment and payment of civil penalties," Hile said. The link for this article located at cnn.com is no longer available. . What would it take to get someone to turn in one of those spammers who send millions of unwanted e-m. would, someone, those, spammers, millions, unwanted. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.