Surging malware activity has forced tech firms such as Darktrace to innovate. Getty Images
Surging malware activity has forced tech firms such as Darktrace to innovate. Getty Images
Surging malware activity has forced tech firms such as Darktrace to innovate. Getty Images
Surging malware activity has forced tech firms such as Darktrace to innovate. Getty Images

Major UK retailer stops Russia-linked malware attack with Darktrace


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Cybersecurity firm Darktrace on Thursday announced its AI technology had been used by a major UK retailer to stop a cyberattack by “BumbleBee”, a new malware loader known to be used by Russian cybercriminals.

Since adoption, Darktrace's Self-Learning AI had established an evolving understanding of “normal” for the 20-year-old retailer's operations so it could detect faint indicators of emerging cybercrime.

The BumbleBee attack came in April in the early hours.

Darktrace's AI detected that an internal device was communicating unusually with multiple external endpoints. The AI began investigating the activity in real time and the company's security team was alerted to potentially malicious activity, enabling them to take the compromised device offline before malware could spread through the organisation.

“We've seen a dangerous surge in malware loader activity in recent months as attackers seek out new techniques that will avoid traditional methods of detection,” said Toby Lewis, Darktrace's global head of threat analysis.

“These attack tools, particularly novel variants like BumbleBee, illustrate the need for cutting-edge technology like AI that understands the shades of grey in very complex systems.

“Defenders shouldn't have to wait for the release of threat indicators and threat intelligence before they are able to detect and respond to these attacks.”

Russia's cyber playbook

Russia has long been associated with cyberwarfare, most notoriously Russian-based ransomware group Conti, which in April accessed multiple critical systems in Costa Rica's finance ministry.

BumbleBee is believed to have replaced Conti's “BazarLoader”.

Loaders typically serve as the first stage of a cyberattack, offering cybercriminals the ability to deploy malicious code at scale, and serve as a bridgehead into compromised networks to push other malware, including ransomware.

The efflorescence of malware malefactors has acted as a crucible for a new industry of tech sheriffs which attempt to bring law and order to the “wild web.”

Cambridge-based Darktrace's cybersecurity AI protects more than 6,800 customers worldwide from advanced threats, including ransomware, cloud and SaaS (software as a service) attacks.

It applies Self-Learning AI to enable machines to understand the business in order to defend it autonomously.

Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok

UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final

(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber

The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

yallacompare profile

Date of launch: 2014

Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer

Based: Media City, Dubai 

Sector: Financial services

Size: 120 employees

Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)

THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO

Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday 

Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

Updated: May 19, 2022, 12:09 PM`