TECHNOLOGY
security and provide them with an advisory. Whenever we see through our tools any kind of threat for Qatar’s cyber security, we will issue an alert for people and send out advisories. We also have a weekly newsletter with the latest news, tools and a lot of information. What is the biggest cyber threat to Qatar right now?
Threats are evolving. We see a lot of things happening every day. Maybe the thing we have highlighted [recently] is the ransomware. We’ve seen it a lot and we’ve seen people are victims to it. Basically, it’s a Trojan that locks the computer and screen. It tells the user to pay for that account to make their system release and the message looks like it’s from the Ministry of Interior or the Qatar police. We have highlighted that and published an advisory so people don’t fall into the trap and pay. Phishing is something to mention to people as well and we are saying this a lot. This is when people create a website that looks legitimate for bags and sales. Then people sometimes get in the trap and submit all personal and financial information to this fake website.
What laws protect users
Where did your interest in online
in Qatar?
safety come from?
Currently we have the e-commerce law, which has some of the factors that protect people with regard to consuming money online. But we’ve been asked this question a lot. There will be a cyber crime law that will be published soon. It’s from the government of Qatar and we’re waiting for it to be published. We don’t know when this will happen, as we’re not the owner.
I studied computer engineering in Qatar University. Since I was in university I was very excited about cyber security and I got to know Q-Cert because they came to the uni and introduced their ideas. I thought that this is really what I want. When I graduated I joined and since then I’ve gotten involved in security and all other aspects. I was an incident handler and now I’ve moved to the resilience team. It’s not boring and every day there’s something new. And it’s also important for Qatar and I really believe in this.
What tips would you offer the regular user to protect their system?
Install an antivirus software and make sure it comes from a legitimate website. People in the Middle East often rely on cracked software. Make sure they update antivirus and the operating system is installed and updated regularly. Never neglect that. Also, don’t click on suspicious links especially from an email. Scan attachments before opening them and never open an attachment or email from a stranger. Keep aware of social networks – like Twitter and Facebook – by not clicking on links from people they don’t know. These are the main things, along with educating themselves in general on cyber security.
Do you have a message you’d really like to get out to the public?
Try to read about cyber security and don’t ignore it. Personally I believe cyber security should be a culture and this is our message. I encourage users to read about how to protect themselves online, not just on email but also on mobile devices and smartphones. This is the best message we can possibly give. n GO: If you’ve noticed weird online behaviour then don’t hesitate to contact Q-Cert Call Centre on 4499 5444
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