Computer users in the Middle East face a number of cyber-threats in the next year as the adoption of internet-connected devices grows, says a leading technology security firm.
Norton outlined five upcoming threats including URL shorteners, social media identity theft and mobile device hacking that could affect consumers unless they take action to protect themselves.
Cybercrime has emerged as a growing threat in the Middle East after sophisticated online attacks using the Zeus Trojan Horse malware. Security experts say those attacks caused global banking industry losses of at least US$100 million (Dh367.3m).
"It's almost inevitable that 2011 will see a larger number of people in the Middle East region falling victim to cybercrime than ever before," said Tamim Taufiq, the head of consumer sales in the Middle East and North Africa for Symantec, the parent company of Norton.
"Taking your online personal protection seriously is a key New Year's resolution, as the number of high-profile cyber attacks witnessed globally is increasing consumer fears about the threats of spending time online."
Mr Taufiq explained how social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter could be preyed upon by cybercriminals who could send "unusual messages" to extract personal details and passwords from consumers.
Social media also play another role that consumers should be aware of, Mr Taufiq said.
Internet security firms including McAfee and Norton have warned that URL shorteners, online tools that shrink lengthy web addresses for use on sites such as Twitter, can be used to direct users to sites that install malicious software.
Mr Taufiq also said that mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets will be targeted by hackers to access confidential data, which in turn could result in financial loss. "With technology gifts and purchases surging in the winter holiday season, the fact is that the more connected we become in the Middle East, the more cybercrime opportunities are created for criminals to exploit," Mr Taufiq said.
dgeorgecosh@thenational.ae
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The Saga Continues
Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
HWJN
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More on animal trafficking
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order