Cyber experts have warned of a “sharp spike” in criminal activity online as fraudsters seek to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Richard Benham, chairman of UK’s National Cyber Management Centre, said the UAE was a prime target for offenders owing to a combination of its relative wealth and robust internet usage.
He revealed that since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, more people were accessing the so-called ‘dark web’ in the hope of obtaining medicine billed as “miracle cures” for the virus.
But he warned the public to be wary of using illicit websites, pointing out the risk of data theft and financial fraud.
The danger of accessing the dark web is that every time you enter it, the criminal sets little traps
“With the recent publicity around miracle cures for Covid-19, we’ve seen an awful lot of people going into the dark web to purchase these substances,” Mr Benham said.
“The danger of accessing the dark web is that every time you enter it, the criminal sets little traps to…infect your machine.”
Following the emergence of the coronavirus in China in late December last year, speculation and rumour over potential cures for the virus have been rife.
Among the more contentious, dangerous contenders have been ingesting an infected patient’s blood or saliva.
Other rumours, also with no evidence of success, have included swallowing Colloidal silver products which contain tiny silver particles suspended in liquid.
Colloidal silver is often touted as an antibacterial agent which can boost the body’s immune system, but no sound scientific study has confirmed the claim.
In an interview with The National, Mr Benham said some members of the public were also attempting to buy Hydroxychloroquine over the dark web.
Hydroxychloroquine is a long-established anti-malarial which is being used by some hospitals to care for Covid-19 patients.
“There’s certainly a large number of conspiracy theories going around, but the reality of the situation is that all of us, including in the UAE, are highly vulnerable,” Mr Benham said.
“We’ve experienced a sharp spike in activity [but] it’ll be a few months when we’ll be able to see the actual numbers.”
The dark web functions by providing anonymous access to the Internet, ensuring the identities and locations of users cannot be traced due to layers of sophisticated encryption.
Its anonymity allows criminals to buy and sell illicit goods more freely.
According to a report out on Tuesday by cybersecurity firm Trend Micro Incorporated, GCC countries recorded more than 3,000 separate attacks related to Covid-19 in the first quarter of this year.
The UAE had the highest number in the Middle East, with 1,541 coronavirus-related attacks, including 775 malware threats, 621 email spam attacks, and 145 URL attacks.
Mr Benham, who is due to be addressing UAE business leaders on the dangers of the dark web during an online seminar hosted by Capital Club Dubai - a private members organisation - on Tuesday, urged residents to exercise caution at all times.
“I think the Middle East is very keen on creating smart cities and the vision to embrace the internet and networks that use artificial intelligence to make things better,” he said.
“That, of course, brings huge benefits but it also produces risks.
“People should be wary. Every time you put your credit card details in or someone is asking for details for payment, there’s a vulnerability there.
“It’s very surprising that the vast majority of problems that happen are from people who aren’t reading emails properly and clicking on links.
“Even by doing that, we can reduce a large proportion of fraud.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Leaderboard
63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)
64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)
66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)
67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)
68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)
69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
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
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
