Coronavirus: Dubai report charts huge surge in cyber crime and warns of risks to health sector


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

The Covid-19 pandemic has sparked a big rise in "opportunistic" cyber crime attacks across the world, with healthcare facilities at high risk, according to a new Dubai government report.

The study by Dubai Future Foundation found a 600 per cent increase in phishing emails – in which scams are used to take sensitive data – was recorded since February.

The research highlighted how hackers seek to exploit the security vulnerabilities of people working from home, as many do not have access to the level of IT support they would have in their office.

The think tank said the healthcare sector was in the sights of criminals who were launching ransomware attacks.

Anxiety about Covid-19 is leading people to click on dangerous links

The foundation was established in 2016 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to help shape the emirate's development.

“Anxiety about Covid-19 is leading people to click on dangerous links in content that appears to be helpful information,” the report said.

“Opportunistic hackers are looking to exploit the increased reliance on digital systems, such as those being used by hospitals and public service organisations.”

The report said criminals were stepping up their efforts to exploit the Covid-19 pandemic, knowing that IT security staff were working from home and would not be able to detect attacks as quickly as they would in a working environment.

It was not just people working from home who were being targeted, with the medical sector proving to be an attractive prospect for online criminals.

“Hospitals, medical centres and public institutions worldwide are being targeted, primarily through ransomware attacks,” the report said.

“Healthcare professionals require digital infrastructure to tackle Covid-19, and cyber criminals have been exploiting this necessity, believing the organisations will have no choice but to pay to re-enter their systems.”

The report said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned of attacks designed to access the personal information of staff members.

Last month, The National reported that Aster Healthcare, one of the UAE's leading providers, said staff were bombarded with suspicious emails.

“We have definitely noticed an increase in the amount of spam and phishing emails, which can lead to cyber attacks,” said chief information officer Veneeth Purushotaman, at the time.

“People are so reliant on digital technology for information it leaves them vulnerable and makes them easy prey for criminals.”

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Name: Tratok Portal

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If you go

 

  • The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
  • The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
  • The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as  Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
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4.           Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63

5.           Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74

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A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

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