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UAE Warns Of Cyber Attack Threat Over New Year Holidays

Hacking tools are simpler than ever to use, making it possible for a host of scammers to profit over the holiday season.

Published

2 years ago

December 28, 2022

Nour Nasir

uae warns of cyber attack threat over 2023 new year holidays

The rise of digital services in the Middle Eastern region, plus a growing number of internet and smartphone-equipped users, has dramatically increased the risk of cyber attacks, even threatening utility services such as water, gas, and electricity providers.

As we head into the New Year holiday weekend, the UAE Cybersecurity Council has given its citizens a stark warning of increased hacking and scamming activity from cybercriminals.

The council has emphasized the need for all institutions and authorities to ramp up their cyber defense systems, staying vigilant to threats and sharing information with the public to help them bolster their online safety, and working closely with authorities to pass on details of imminent threats.

Increased hacking activity isn’t just down to a growing reliance on digital services. The UAE Cybersecurity Council has also pointed out that hacking tools are now extremely simple for criminals to deploy. The council has stressed that both companies and individuals alike should adopt stronger protection mechanisms to safeguard themselves and their businesses.

Related Topics:Cybersecurity Hacking United Arab Emirates

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Will Upcoming Changes Turn Instagram Into A TikTok Clone?

Updates are rolling out for the grid layout and Reels length, while new editing tools clearly imitate those of the rival Chinese platform.

Published

3 days ago

January 24, 2025

Nour Nasir

Instagram

Instagram recently faced backlash for swapping its iconic square grid for rectangles, disrupting the aesthetic of thousands of carefully curated profiles. However, the Meta-owned platform isn’t stopping there, after announcing more incoming TikTok-like changes designed to give users greater control over their profiles.

“We launched a new tall grid on profiles this week and I got a lot of feedback, both positive and quite negative,” Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared in an Instagram caption on Monday. “The goal is a simpler, cleaner place that maintains, and even increases, creator control”.

Here are some of the details about further changes we can expect:

Customizable Grids: Users will soon be able to tweak how their posts appear on the grid, including adjusting image crops and reordering posts entirely.
Direct-To-Grid Posts: A new option will allow users to post directly to their profile grid without automatically adding it to their main feed.
Highlights Relocation: Instagram’s Highlights feature will move from above the grid into a dedicated tab, while also becoming part of the profile grid itself.
Longer Reels: Reels are getting a significant upgrade, with the maximum video length jumping from 90 seconds to 3 minutes.

The updates are part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to compete with TikTok, which narrowly avoided a US ban following a 75-day delay granted by President Donald Trump. With the Chinese video platform’s future remaining uncertain, Instagram seems eager to capture disillusioned users by offering features that feel increasingly similar to those of its rival.

Also Read: How To Find & Cancel Pending Instagram Requests

In fact, Instagram’s recent changes go beyond just the app’s layout: On Sunday, parent company Meta launched the standalone Edits app, a clear imitation of TikTok’s popular video-editing tool, CapCut. Additionally, Meta has been enticing creators with cash bonuses to encourage them to post their videos on Instagram and Facebook.

It’s clear Instagram is shifting its strategy to appeal to the short-form video crowd. Whether these changes will win over users or continue to spark discontent remains to be seen.