Press Release - FBI, SBA and Commerce Department Form Alliance to Promote Information Technology Security for America's Small Businesses. The nation?s small businesses will have better access to computer and information technology security resources, and be able to assess their information security needs. The National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Commerce Department?s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) signed a partnership agreement on 13 June. The agreement speaks to providing computer and information technology security to help small businesses across the nation safeguard their information systems. The interagency agreement was signed at the NIPC?s Second Annual InfraGard National Congress in Niagara Falls, NY, and will serve to promote computer protection and security for America?s small businesses and to identify information security vulnerabilities. (NIPC, Dept. of Commerce, Small Business Assoc., 13 Jun) First JPEG Virus Not a Threat. Anti-virus firms have discovered a Windows virus that infects JPEG image files, though the chances of it causing a major security risk any time soon are close to zero. W32/Perrun, as Networks Associates Inc. named the virus, was assessed as low risk, and has not been found in the wild. "It is believed to be the first of its kind," said Vincent Gullotto. "It's not a danger, but it shows that virus writers are looking at other methods of infection." In the last year, virus writers have started using other file types, such as PDFs and Flash animations, to spread viruses. Sending infected JPEGs to other, uninfected computers will not infect a computer, NAI confirmed. Image files do not have the ability to execute malicious code, so simply viewing a JPEG, without the infector running on the same machine, will not have any effect, other than slowing the machine down while the installed anti-virus software is scanning. (Computerwire.com, 14 Jun) Panel oks terror data sharing bill. The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would let the FBI and CIA share classified information about terrorist threats, with state and local police. The bill, known as the Homeland Security Information Sharing Act, HR 4598, would allow classified information to be given to state and local first responders after data about sources and methods of intelligence collection were removed. The information would be issued via law enforcement telecommunications systems. (ComputerUser.com 14 Jun) Feds Stockpile Anti-Radiation Pills. Federal agencies in Washington ordered 350,000 potassium iodide pills this week to protect people from cancer caused by radioactive iodine. The agencies are stockpiling the pills in case of a nuclear event. (Associated Press, 13 Jun) Petronas buys Indonesian oil producer. Malaysia's state oil and gas company, Petronas, has purchased U.S. firm Kerr-McGee Corporation?s Indonesian subsidiary for $170 million. Kerr-McGee Indonesia's (KMI) oil and gas properties include a 30 percent non-operating interest in the Jabung block on Sumatra Island, which is scheduled to supply gas to Singapore. "The acquisition of KMI marks a significant extension of Petronas' activities in Indonesia, providing it with its first oil production capability in the country," the Malaysian firm said. Gas flow from the Jabung block is due to start the third quarter of next year at an initial rate of 68 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd), with a plateau rate of 135 mmscfd by 2009. (Reuters, 14 Jun) RM
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