ABU DHABI // Computer hackers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to scam money as part of the “growing evolution” of cyber crime.
Amir Kolahzadeh said that the UAE was one of the most attacked countries online, with 100,000-plus attempted attacks every day that originated from across the globe.
Another malware, Zeus, worked by installing itself on a computer when the victim clicked on a link in an unsolicited email or via a website. The virus lies dormant until it finds an opportunity to obtain a person’s private details, such as online banking information.
E Y cyber security adviser Clinton Firth said many individuals and organizations in the UAE were victims of phishing and ransomware frauds.
Another online scam was when fraudsters masquerade as a bank, sending a security warning to customers, said Mr. Firth.
It was common that “an email that claims to be from a bank/credit card company tells you that, due to security, maintenance, irregularities, upgrades etc., you need to provide account details, PIN numbers and passwords,” he said.
Mr Barhaji said phishing, data theft and ATM manipulation – where criminals attach devices known as skimmers to a credit-card scanner or ATM machine to collect card details – have all been seen in the UAE.
This article was originally posted on The National | UAE, March 26, 2016.
Written by Jennifer Bell
