News
WhatsApp Hacker Is Selling Over 150 Million MENA Numbers
The database contains nearly 500 million phone numbers from users worldwide, and is being sold on a community hacking forum.
According to Cybernews, a research-based online publication, a hacker is selling the phone numbers of nearly 500 million WhatsApp users on the Dark Web — a figure which includes over 150 million from across the MENA region.
The data from the breach was posted by a user on a hacking community forum, and Cybernews has sampled the data and confirmed that it’s legitimate.
The reported database contains recent (2022) WhatsApp user information from 84 countries, with millions of phone numbers listed from the USA, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Egypt, and many more.
Of particular interest to readers of Tech Magazine will be that nearly 7 million of the hacked numbers belong to UAE residents, just under 2 million are from Lebanon, and a massive 28.8 million are owned by users from Saudi Arabia.
We don’t know what the MENA phone numbers are valued at, but it’s reported that USA user information is being sold for $7,000, while UK and German datasets have $2,500 and $2,000 price tags, respectively.
Also Read: Netskope Predicts Future Middle East Cybersecurity Trends
After digging a little further into the details of the hack, Cybernews stated that the numbers harvested belong to active WhatsApp users and the data was obtained by scraping, which is thought to violate the app’s Terms of Service.
“In this age, we all leave a sizable digital footprint, and tech giants like Meta should take all precautions and means to safeguard that data,” says Mantas Sasnauskas, Head of the Cybernews Research Team.
Leaked phone numbers often fetch high prices on the Dark Web, as they can be used for marketing purposes, fraud and impersonation.
News
1,000 Drones Light The Dubai Sky For AC Milan Celebration
Cyberdrone’s groundbreaking display marked 125 years of AC Milan football club and the 1st-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.
Cyberdrone, a leading UAV display company based in Dubai, put on a breathtaking drone light show on Monday to honor two significant football milestones: AC Milan’s 125th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.
The spectacle involved 1,000 drones working in perfect harmony to project AC Milan’s iconic imagery against the city’s night sky. Highlights included the UAVs synchronizing to form the club’s iconic crest, the signature red and black jersey, and a special emblem marking its 125th year. The intricate performance demanded meticulous planning, not just in terms of choreography, but also in dealing with the necessary permits and logistics.
“Our goal was to spotlight AC Milan’s legacy through a stunning visual narrative,” explained Mohamed Munjed Abdulla, Director of Sales at Cyberdrone. “We celebrated the club’s history, its Dubai milestone, and the universal love for football. The show also enhanced AC Milan’s regional presence, growing its fanbase through a cutting-edge, memorable experience. Drone shows are unparalleled in leaving lasting impressions, making them perfect for driving partnerships and growth”.
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Greta Nardeschi, AC Milan’s Regional Director for MENA, echoed the sentiment, adding: “Collaborating with Cyberdrone for this 1,000-drone performance allowed us to connect with our fans in innovative ways. It gave us a unique opportunity to surprise and inspire audiences while elevating our Club’s visibility and that of our partners. Cyberdrone truly helped us take AC Milan to new heights”.
This groundbreaking drone display sets a new benchmark for the Middle East’s sports sector, which already contributes around $2.4 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP alone. Sporting events also generate $1.76 billion in revenues across the region, while the MENA’s entertainment sector, valued at $41.13 billion, is growing at 9.41% annually, driven by rapid technological advancements.
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