The way families and friends celebrate Christmas this year will change due to restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19. Ana Bianca Marin
The way families and friends celebrate Christmas this year will change due to restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19. Ana Bianca Marin
The way families and friends celebrate Christmas this year will change due to restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19. Ana Bianca Marin
The way families and friends celebrate Christmas this year will change due to restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19. Ana Bianca Marin

How to protect yourself from cybercrime this Christmas


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

Cyber attacks are expected to rise over the coming month as Christmas online shopping gets under way.

Experts have warned that cybercrime is likely to increase as more people prioritise online shopping over in-store purchases due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

People must be on full alert and become “cyber fit” to protect themselves from the threat posed by cybercriminals in the run-up to the New Year.

Seasonal themed email-based attacks are likely to be high during this festive period

“Seasonal themed email-based attacks are likely to be high during this festive period,” said Vijay Chandnani, executive director of Techware Services and Solutions.

“You have Diwali and Christmas in quick succession. As the festive season approaches, buying trends today are more tilted towards e-commerce and online shopping rather than in-store purchases.

“Attacks on individual shoppers are likely to be higher, especially now that more people are working remotely during the pandemic and some are not on secure networks. I would not be surprised if the attacks are 10-15 per cent higher this year.”

The UAE has already reported a significant increase in the number of cyber attacks since the pandemic began.

Dubai Future Foundation said there was a 600 per cent increase in the number of phishing emails that hoped to lure users into giving up sensitive data from February to June.

The National spoke to a number of cyber security experts who offered readers tips to help keep the online criminals at bay.

Consumers have been urged to be vigilant about online transactions and how they pay for their goods with cybercriminals stepping up their efforts. Getty
Consumers have been urged to be vigilant about online transactions and how they pay for their goods with cybercriminals stepping up their efforts. Getty

Set strong and varied passwords

Strong passwords are key when keeping personal data safe, said Candid Wüest, vice president of tech firm Acronis.

“You need to use a strong password and have a different one for each service that you have,” he said.

“Don’t use the same password that you would use on your Twitter account for your email account or online banking.

“If you cannot remember all the different passwords then make use of a password manager, there are many free apps on phones and laptops that you can use for this.”

Look out for dodgy emails

He said consumers needed to be fully alert when receiving emails with offers that seemed too good to resist.

“You have to be vigilant and be cyber fit and by that I mean you need to show good judgment when you getting an email with a deal that’s too good to be true,” he said.

“You can’t let greed cloud your better judgment and think twice before responding with personal information.”

Some of the most popular scams at the moment from cybercriminals are offers involving the latest model of the iPhone and the new PlayStation 5.

Mr Wüest said his company had noticed a 400 per cent increase in the number of remote desktop protocol cyber attacks in Q2 of 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.

These attacks, if successful, allow criminals to access a computer and operate Windows on a device in another location.

“We are expecting to see those numbers increase over Christmas as there will be even more people shopping online,” he said.

Be mindful of your Wi-Fi connection

Mr Wüest urged consumers to be careful about which Wi-Fi connection they use when making online transactions.

“If you are on a public Wi-Fi like in a mall or an airport don’t do anything sensitive like banking as a lot of these networks can be compromised,” he said.

“It’s a lot safer to do it through the 4G on your mobile phone or use a VPN.

“It might even be better to wait a few minutes and just do it at home.”

Other experts said there were a number of methods people could use to reduce the risk of being scammed by cybercriminals.

Online shopping has gained significant traction in the UAE and is expecting to pick up as the holiday season begins. Getty
Online shopping has gained significant traction in the UAE and is expecting to pick up as the holiday season begins. Getty

Use a credit card, not a debit card

“I would recommend not purchasing any merchandise online with a debit card and minimise any direct credit card usage,” said Morey Haber, chief technical officer with BeyondTrust.

“Make online purchases with a third party proxy like PayPal or Apple Pay that is linked to a credit card or debit card to provide an extra layer of financial protection.

“I would also recommend not allowing the merchant to save your payment information for future usage.”

How an individual pays for their transactions online is another crucial factor in minimising the likelihood of falling foul of cyber crime.

Consider using a mobile app

“Something that consumers don’t realise is that websites are not as secure as mobile apps,” said Matt Walmsley, director for the EMEA region with tech company Vectra.

The FBI put out a warning in the US last year about e-skimming. This involves attackers hacking websites of prominent retailers and compromising the back end to steal consumer credit card information.

“That is a problem with websites but not in mobile apps,” said Mr Walmsley.

“So, in so much as is possible, use retailer mobile apps for online shopping.”

Look out for fake websites

Cybercriminals are also stepping up their efforts by creating fake websites that appear to belong to popular international retailers, hoping to trick consumers into entering sensitive personal details.

“Cybercriminals create a copy of a web page that looks exactly like the landing page of popular streaming platforms and retailers,” said Maher Yamout, senior security researcher with Kaspersky.

“Sometimes, cybercriminals also create new landing pages that provide users with free access in exchange for their credentials or bank account details.

“To an untrained eye, they will not be able to distinguish between a legitimate website and one disguised as a phishing website.

“Internet users must stay vigilant while browsing the internet for their favourite TV shows or buying things online,” he added.

Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.

It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

The biog

Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology

Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels

Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs

Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dooda%20Solutions%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lebanon%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENada%20Ghanem%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AgriTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24300%2C000%20in%20equity-free%20funding%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
POWERWASH%20SIMULATOR
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FuturLab%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESquare%20Enix%20Collective%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%3Cstrong%3E%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPlayStation%204%20%26amp%3B%205%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20X%2FS%20and%20PC%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Switch%20Foods%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Edward%20Hamod%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plant-based%20meat%20production%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2034%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%246.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Based%20in%20US%20and%20across%20Middle%20East%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
NBA Finals so far

(Toronto lead 3-1 in best-of-seven series_

Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109

Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109

Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123

Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho