News
The Top 10 Worst Cyberattacks In The Middle East Revealed
Cybersecurity firm Positive Technologies has published a list covering the last 18 months of activity.
Over the last year and a half, the Middle East has witnessed a significant rise in cyberattacks, especially those posing a serious threat to organizations across the region.
Fedor Chunizhekov, Information Security Analyst at Positive Technologies, who compiled the list, explained, “The threat to the Middle East is very much real. Rapid advancement in technology and the growing independence on the internet means that attackers have novel and innovative ways to exploit vulnerabilities”.
Let’s check out some of the region’s worst attacks in the last 18 months:
Adalat Ali
In early 2022, Iranian hacktivists Adalat Ali successfully broadcast a 50-second message on streaming service Telewebion calling for further protests against the ruling Khamenei regime.
Bezeq And Cellcom DDoS Attack
In March 2022, a state of emergency was declared after a prolonged DDoS attack leading to Israeli government agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Internal Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, and several major media outlets losing access to various services.
Public Address Systems In Palestine
In June 2022, public address systems in Jerusalem and Eilat were compromised by unnamed hackers, leading to false air raid sirens being broadcast for an hour.
Iranian Steel Plants Attack
Again in June 2022, an attack on three Iranian steel plants by hacktivist group Goneshke Darande disrupted processes leading to a liquid pig spillage resulting in a fire that halted production.
GamkenBot Scalper Bots
Attackers created bots that found and booked all available appointments using the Israeli booking service GamkenBot, before monetizing them and generally disrupting the service.
Cellebrite Data Breach
Israeli digital data firm Cellebrite was hacked to the tune of 1.7 TB of files in a massive data breach. The files contained all manner of proprietary backup software and other important information. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Iranian News Agency Attack
A group of hacktivists known as Black Reward Team stole around 250 TB of confidential information from Iran’s state-run Fars News in November 2022. The group also gained access to CCTV footage.
Vice Society Attack On IKEA
Ransomware group Vice Society targeted IKEA in Morocco and Kuwait in November 2022. The outlets experienced a data breach that was thought to have been facilitated through phishing emails.
Pro-Palestine Attacks On Israeli Companies
In January, the hacktivist group Electronic Quds Force launched a campaign targeting Israeli chemical production companies. Messages sent to employees told them to “Leave employment and look for a new one”. The hackers also uploaded screenshots of automated control system interfaces on their Telegram channel, proving the plant was compromised.
Irrigation System Disruption
Farm irrigation systems and wastewater treatment in the Jordan Valley were targeted by what appears to have been OpIsrael, an anti-Israel hacktivist team. The attack was successful due to weak authentication and vulnerabilities in programmable controllers, allowing the attackers to gain remote access.
In light of such a severe spate of attacks, Positive Technologies urges companies to adopt the latest technologies and security techniques to safeguard data and networks against increasingly sophisticated hacking.
News
Plans Underway For Massive Middle East Autonomous Freight Network
DP World and Einride will develop the largest electric, autonomous freight mobility operation in the region at Jebel Ali Port.
Dubai-based logistics company DP World has joined forces with Einride, a leader in freight mobility, to electrify container movements at Jebel Ali Port. The initiative will enhance efficiency and eco-friendliness at the world’s 10th busiest sea logistics hub. The groundbreaking plans include the largest deployment of electric, autonomous freight mobility across the Middle East, revolutionizing regional freight transportation.
The collaboration will begin in late 2024 and aims to ramp up swiftly to accommodate around 1,600 container movements daily. A fleet of 100 interconnected electric trucks will facilitate the expansion, overseen by Einride Saga, the company’s digital platform engineered to optimize electric and autonomous freight operations. A pilot for the autonomous vehicles is scheduled for rollout in 2025.
At full operational capacity, the venture will reduce carbon dioxide emissions annually by up to 14,600 tonnes and nitrogen oxides by 158 tonnes.
“DP World is committed to making trade smarter, faster, and more sustainable, and our new partnership with Einride aligns perfectly with our vision,” explained Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC. “We have already made significant progress in electrifying and automating our terminals at Jebel Ali Port, and by leveraging Einride’s cutting-edge technology, we can take that to the next level,” he added.
Also Read: Joby To Establish All-Electric Air Taxi Ecosystem Across The UAE
Robert Falck, CEO and Founder of Einride, added: “Our collaboration underscores a shared dedication to sustainability and innovation, merging Einride’s expertise in electrification and autonomous technology with DP World’s global logistics leadership […] This collaboration showcases the effectiveness of combining visionary ideals with decisive action, paving the way for a more resilient future”.
The partnership represents a cornerstone of Einride’s larger strategy with the UAE Government, helping to accelerate the transition to sustainable shipping practices. Einride’s ecosystem, featuring electric and autonomous vehicles, charging infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology, will be deployed extensively across the Falcon Rise grid, heralding a greener, more efficient freight-shipping future.
-
News2 weeks ago
Joby To Establish All-Electric Air Taxi Ecosystem Across The UAE
-
News1 week ago
chatlyn Unveils Hospitality Chatbot At Arabian Travel Market 2024
-
News1 week ago
UAE Stores May Soon Accept Payments Through Your Palm
-
News1 week ago
Orchid Plans To Find Out What’s Wrong With You Before You’re Born