Israel says it has started a program to teach teenagers to be "interceptors" of cyberattacks by teaching them cyberwarfare techniques.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, speaking at the Ashkelon Academic College, said the 3-year program, known as "Magshimim Le'umit," is aimed at outstanding pupils aged 16-18, the Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.

"Israel's vital systems are under attack from Iran and other elements. This will only increase as we enter the digital age," Netanyahu said, promising to create a "digital Iron Dome."

That was a reference to Israel's so-called Iron Dome anti-missile defense system, widely considered the most effective defensive missile system in the world.

"To the outstanding pupils that are studying in the special program," Netanyahu added, "I say: 'You are the future interceptors for the State of Israel.'"

He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the program at the Ashkelon school.

Calif., Illinois password laws in effect
Sacramento (UPI) Jan 2, 2012 - California and Illinois have made it illegal for employers to demand Facebook or Twitter passwords to access to employees' private information, officials say.

With laws going into effect New Year's Day, the two have joined Michigan, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey as states that prohibit such demands for social media passwords, CNET reported Wednesday.

A number of states have passed or are considering such statutes after Congress failed to pass the Password Protection Act of 2012.

While under the laws in those six states employers cannot demand an employee's password, there is nothing keeping them from viewing the public information employees openly include in social profiles on sites such as Facebook, Twitter or other social networking sites.

Lawmakers and social media companies say they receive many complaints from users of such sites about employers attempting to gain access to their accounts during job interviews and even after hiring.