A new report indicates that Microsoft's Edge web browser suffered an increase in critical vulnerabilities in 2024, meaning that cyber criminals could have exploited the software without deceiving users.
The report conducted by cybersecurity firm BeyondTrust, however, said that Microsoft's vigilance to find and prevent security flaws has helped to drive down critical vulnerabilities in the company's overall product offerings.
“Critical vulnerabilities dropped to an all-time low of 78 in 2024, compared to 84 in 2023, and 196 back in 2020,” read part of the BeyondTrust report, released April 17.
Christopher Hills, chief security strategist for BeyondTrust, told The National that Microsoft's ubiquitous Office suite also made improvements, and the recent spike in critical vulnerabilities discovered in Edge.
“The Microsoft Edge vulnerabilities had seemingly plateaued over the last few years,” he said.
“The last significant year for critical vulnerabilities tied to Edge was back in 2020 with 61 critical vulnerabilities. This then dropped to four in 2021, and remained low until this past year, where it saw nine critical and 292 total vulnerabilities, which is a significant increase over 2023.”
BeyondTrust's report largely gives Microsoft high marks for its Secure Future Initiative, which seeks to take a proactive rather than reactive approach to identifying security vulnerabilities.
The report also notes that Microsoft's Windows operating system “offer far greater security” compared to previous generations.
Morey Haber, chief security adviser at BeyondTrust noted that for all the concerns about critical vulnerabilities that can be exploited with users knowing, the most likely security breaches still occur from malware or phishing scams, where a lack of awareness can create major problems.
“This year’s Microsoft Vulnerabilities Report demonstrates that humans continue to be the weakest link, and not only from social engineering, but also the software we develop,” he wrote in the report.
BeyondTrust's Christopher Hills said that regardless of what operating system or web browser is used, and regardless of the location where users reside, basic cybersecurity awareness is needed.
Haphazardly clicking links and not using basic antivirus software, he said, is a recipe for disaster.
“Threat actors do not discriminate,” he said. “If you leave opportunity on the table, they will exploit it to further their cause or for monetary gains. This is why nobody is safe and every organisation needs to consider themselves a target.”
According to a 2024 report from the World Economic Forum, cybersecurity breaches show no sign of waning, with opportunities for potential cyberattacks growing at an “unprecedented” rate.
Those potential attacks, according to the WEF report, will likely continue with the number of Internet of Things devices expected to exceed 32 billion by 2030.
Security experts also say that artificial intelligence has lowered the barrier for those seeking to commit cyber crimes.
Mr Hills said despite all the warnings, far too many people, even those responsible for cybersecurity, seem to believe they will never be compromised.
“Another human factor in this is many just don’t believe they are a target and I remind people constantly – at conferences, events, and shows – that they are the target and anything they might touch, or have access to, could present an opportunity for a threat actor,” he said.
“I tell them that threat actors are not dumb, but they are lazy – they will take the path of least resistance, and if you leave any opportunity, such as these Microsoft vulnerabilities, on the table for them to exploit or capitalise on, they will take advantage of them.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SPIDER-MAN%3A%20ACROSS%20THE%20SPIDER-VERSE
%3Cp%3EDirectors%3A%20Joaquim%20Dos%20Santos%2C%20Kemp%20Powers%2C%20Justin%20K.%20Thompson%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Shameik%20Moore%2C%20Hailee%20Steinfeld%2C%20Oscar%20Isaac%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
New schools in Dubai
The five pillars of Islam
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Mountain%20Boy
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