Explore the latest news and trends  

Sign up for our weekly security newsletter


Be the first to receive important updates on security





Send

US Department of Defense Bans MySpace & YouTube

The U.S. Army declared it would prevent global entrée to 13 sites as they overwork network capacities and pose functional hazards. The US Defense Department has prohibited usage of YouTube and MySpace, barely weeks after constraining soldiers' blogs.

On Friday, April 11, 2007, an army general released a memo declaring that utilization of social networking and leisure Web sites overtaxes network capacities and poses operational hazards. The army said it would prohibit admittance to these two sites along with 11 others world over.

"The Defense Department has increasing apprehensions about their unrestricted Internet," a US Defense Department statement explicated according to news issued on May 14, 2007 by Ctv.ca.

" Nevertheless, if you enter these sites through your PC, you should be cautious while transferring some link or file from these websites to DoD machines or networks," US Gen. B.B. Bell clarified in his extensively-circulated memo from Korea, according to May 15, 2007, reports issued by ITnews.

"Doing so could endanger OPSEC [operational security] and generate chances of attacking and virus invasion." Bell urged soldiers to be always alert, defend confidential unclassified data, and help maintain army communications networks, as stated by reports by ITnews on May 15, 2007.

The U.S. army already prohibited its staff from communicating confidential data when using the net and blogging, however this latest curb will stop them from using the 13 sites completely. The DoD stated that transferring videos clips, pictures and files could expose privileged unclassified data and raises danger of identity theft.

Besides MySpace and YouTube the other banned sites are: BlackPlanet, FileCabi, ifilm, Live365 Internet Radio, Metacafe, MTV, Pandora, 1.fm, Photobucket, hi5, and StupidVideos.

US Department of Defense spokespeople and army operation representatives in Iraq alleged that there was no current set of rules or instructions regarding blogs, sites, and videos. Commanders in combat zones cautioned soldiers to ensure that the pictures they sent online did not supply rebels with data about maneuvers, methods or procedures.

The "Multi-National Corps Iraq's Policy #9" also asserts that soldier owned and secured sites should be listed with the combat unit's line of authority.

Related article: US Passes Baton to Asia in Spam Relay

» SPAMfighter News - 5/21/2007

3 simple steps to update drivers on your Windows PCSlow PC? Optimize your Slow PC with SLOW-PCfighter!Email Cluttered with Spam? Free Spam Filter!

Dear Reader

We are happy to see you are reading our IT Security News.

We do believe, that the foundation for a good work environment starts with fast, secure and high performing computers. If you agree, then you should take a look at our Business Solutions to Spam Filter & Antivirus for even the latest version of Exchange Servers - your colleagues will appreciate it!

Go back to previous page
Next