CALSPro - California Association of Legal Support Professionals

Internet Explorer Users Beware – Immanent Threat

Posted April 30, 2014 in Education, Legislation, Membership, Technology

As chairman of the technology it is my job to provide information and resources that enable CALSPro members and process servers to further educate themselves on all things technology.  These items can range from things that merely make our jobs simpler to the downright necessary. Well, this is one of those moments where you need to take note and pay attention because it down right necessary.

I come across many articles on a daily basis and I have to decide, is this the one?  Is this the kind of information that the membership cannot do without?  Eventually I do find the topic that I just have to pass on.  Such is the case with regard to “0day” (zero-day).

It has been discovered that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) is vulnerable to a massive security flaw that can harm your computer and network.  The warning comes from the United States Department of Homeland Security’s United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and is echoed by the UK National Computer Emergency Response Team.

US-CERT has the following message posted on its website is as follows:

“US-CERT is aware of active exploitation of a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer. This vulnerability affects IE versions 6 through 11 and could allow unauthorized remote code execution.

US-CERT recommends that users and administrators review Microsoft Security Advisory 2963983 for mitigation actions and workarounds. Those who cannot follow Microsoft’s recommendations, such as Windows XP users, may consider employing an alternate browser.”

FireEye researchers have already said that a known gang of malicious hackers are already exploiting the previously unknown use-after-free vulnerability in targeted attacks per ARS Technica. The popular website also notes the following:

“The “zero-day” code-execution hole in IE versions 6 through 11 represents a significant threat to the Internet security because there is currently no fix for the underlying bug, which affects an estimated 26 percent of the total browser market. It’s also the first severe vulnerability to affect Windows XP users since Microsoft withdrew its support for the aging operating system earlier this month. Users who have the option of using an alternate browser should avoid all use of IE for the time being. Those who remain dependent on the Microsoft browser should immediately install EMET, Microsoft’s freely available toolkit that greatly extends the security of Windows systems.”

“Everybody should be moving off of it now. They should have done it months ago,” said Jeff Williams, director of security strategy with Dell SecureWorks.

It is my recommendation to you, as a concerned member of the association and as your Technology Chairman, that you immediately start using another internet browser until the Microsoft has completely resolved this issue.  Alternative internet browser that I would suggest switching to in order of best security features are:

1. Google’s Chrome  (https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/)
2. Mozilla’s FireFox  (http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/)
3. Opera Software’s Opera  (http://www.opera.com/)
4. Apple’s Safari (can be used on PC also)  (http://support.apple.com/downloads/#safari)

(A list of alternative browsers can be found at:

http://internet-browser-review.toptenreviews.com/)

Please do not take these warnings lightly.  The potential risk or not taking action regarding these warnings could potentially cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. For additional information on “zero-day” and the security warnings please visit the following websites:

US Department of Homeland Security:  http://www.dhs.gov/

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/28/us-cybersecurity-microsoft-browser-idUSBREA3Q0PB20140428

FindLaw.com: http://blogs.findlaw.com/technologist/2014/04/security-warning-stop-using-internet-explorer.html#more

Kenneth Hastings
CALSPro Director & Technology Chair

UPDATE ON AB 2286

Posted April 29, 2014 in Legislation

UPDATE ON AB 2286

AB 2286 – This is a bill introduced by Assembly Member Wagner and sponsored by CALSPro. To quote the bill, “This law would remove oversight of the registration of process servers from the counties and place it within the State Bar of California.”

The bill was moving through the Assembly Judiciary Committee, with the first hearing scheduled for April 26, 2014. Unexpected and unanticipated opposition has recently been expressed by the California Supreme Court. After discussions with the court, CALSPro will be asking Assembly Member Wagner to withdraw the bill.

Discussions will continue within CALSPro regarding our registration with the possibility of new legislation being submitted in 2015.

More information will be available at the next CALSPro Board of Directors meeting, scheduled for June 21, 2014 in Sacramento.

Steven C. Janney
For the Legislative Committee

Superior Court of California – County of San Diego – Notice To Attorneys

Posted April 23, 2014 in Education, Membership

NEW, REVISED OR REPEALED FORMS FOR THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL AND SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT

Attached is a list of new, revised or repealed Judicial Council and San Diego Superior Court forms which are now available for use. Court forms available on the Internet may be found at: www.sdcourt.ca.gov, and/or printed forms may be found at the San Diego Superior Court business offices as indicated.

Superior Court of California – County of Ventura – Notice To Attorneys

Posted April 22, 2014 in Conference, Education

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF SAME-DAY FILING DEADLINE FOR DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED IN COURT DROP BOX

Effective April 21, 2014

Pursuant to California Rule of Court 2.210(a), drop boxes are currently provided outside each Clerk’s Office for filing papers or submitting payments.

Effective Monday, April 21, 2014, the same-day filing deadline for any document deposited in the court’s drop boxes will no longer be 5:00 p.m. Instead, any document deposited in the boxes up to and including 4:30 p.m. on a court business day is deemed to have been deposited for filing on that day. Any document deposited in the court’s drop box on a judicial holiday, or after 4:30 p.m. is deemed to have been deposited for filing on the next court business day.

Superior Court of California – County of San Deigo – Notice To Attorneys

Posted April 16, 2014 in Education, Membership

Superior Court of California
County of San Diego

April 14, 2014
NOTICE TO ATTORNEYS

Effective January 1, 2014, the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego discontinued the use of the Certificate of Service and Certificate of Progress in all Civil proceedings. In lieu of this filing, counsel wishing to extend the time to serve the complaint must seek an extension via ex parte application to the assigned department (CRC 3. 110, SDSC 2.1.5).

Effective immediately, all Certificate of Service and Certificate of Progress Forms submitted to the court will not be processed or returned. The court will recycle all submitted documents.