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UAE Phishing Emails Up 77% Last Quarter, Kaspersky Says
Frequently used tactics included know-your-customer messages, free money offers, unusual email login activity and undelivered parcel warnings.
The United Arab Emirates saw a steep rise in emails containing phishing threats during the 2nd quarter of 2023.
The volume of scam emails increased by 77% compared to previous quarters, according to cyber threat experts Kaspersky, who also noted that illicit tactics were becoming more sophisticated.
The most prevalent phishing scams in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa included emails involving undelivered parcels, know-your-customer messages, unusual email login activity warnings, and free money offers.
Known as social engineering scams, these tactics trick users into taking action by pretending to come from a trusted source. Once someone clicks a link in a phishing email, they will often be vulnerable to threats from malware or ransomware, which can cause significant harm to individuals and enterprises.
In January, the UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority warned consumers to be on alert for scam text messages appearing to come from well-known courier companies, including DHL Express, Emirates Post, and Aramex, as they could be phishing scams.
“Once a cybercriminal understands what motivates an individual’s actions, they try to exploit their lack of knowledge and manipulate their behavior to meet the end goal,” said Kaspersky in its recent report.
Also Read: The Largest Data Breaches In The Middle East
In 2022, many scams involved emails containing fake links to free streaming of things like Netflix’s Stranger Things, The Batman movie, and the FIFA World Cup.
“There is no aspect of our life that cybercriminals cannot exploit. Human behavior and emotion is no exception,” explained Maher Yamout, lead security researcher at Kaspersky.
“These scams are a result of manipulation based on fear, curiosity, and greed. The key takeaway is to pay attention to basic details in emails before responding, even if they are from trusted sources because one wrong click can lead to harsh consequences,” the report also said.
News
NASA Forms New Partnership With Saudi Space Agency
The pair will collaborate on the Center for Space Futures, advancing space tech by bringing together public and private stakeholders.
Saudi Arabia’s space industry is on the brink of substantial expansion after generating $400 million in revenue in 2022, according to a report by the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
Now, in a new venture with NASA, plans for a “Center for Space Futures” are set to further drive the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a leading player in space exploration and technology.
Capturing moments from the joint delegation visit with leaders from the Saudi and American Space Agencies @NASA to @PSU_RUH, along with scenes showcasing the audience's engagement. pic.twitter.com/oB1cFTiRNl
— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) May 14, 2024
The partnership between NASA and Saudi Arabia goes beyond economic advantages. The pair have already cooperated on preliminary work for the Artemis II lunar mission, which is slated for a September 2025 launch and aims to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole.
Also Read: Plans Underway For Massive Middle East Autonomous Freight Network
During a visit to the capital, Riyadh, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized in a TV interview the broader objectives of the collaboration, which encompass “returning to the moon and then [to] Mars” while utilizing space exploration to glean important insights into climate change. The NASA spokesman also reiterated the space agency’s dedication to collaborating with Saudi Arabia on other future ventures.
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