Zayed University launches cyber crime grad programs

Zayed University in the UAE has launched three new graduate programs focused on IT security. The new programs, which are being offered by the College of Information Technology, and its US partner George Washington University, cover information, security, cyber security and high tech crime investigation.

While the Graduate Certificate in Information Security is focused on more traditional areas of network infrastructure security, the other two courses, the MS in Information Technology with specialization in Cyber Security and the Graduate Certificate in High Technology Crime Investigation are intended to introduce additional professional skills and capabilities in the prevention and detect crimes that are carried out online or that use computers in some way.

Dr Leon Jololian, acting dean of College of Information Technology said: "The increase of high technology crime has generated an urgent need for a new type of investigator who can combine the science of information technology and forensic science with the art of investigations and critical thinking. Today, any crime that involves a computer as a part of the crime, as the crime itself or as the storage place for evidence, may be part of an investigation.

"This is a critical need for the UAE. and the Gulf region. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work in local, state, national and international organizations in the public and corporate sectors. They will have the skills to investigate a variety of cases that include identity theft, fraud, child exploitation, money laundering and violent crimes," he added.

The programs will commence from October this year.

ITP.net

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Fine for illegally downloading satellite channels content

An Emirati national, identified as A.A., 23, has been ordered by the Court of Misdemeanour to pay a fine of Dh10,000 for unauthorised downloading of content of satellite channels on to his web site.
The court has also ordered confiscation of his laptop, destruction of his DVDs and blocking of his website for one month.

According to court records, on July 23, 2006, A.A. managed to hack into the encoded system of satellite channels, including ART, Showtime and Orbit. He unlawfully downloaded many Arab and western movies and cartoons from these channels.

Witness H.S., who represents the Anti-Piracy Arab Association, testified that the accused was downloading and offering pirated movies on his website. "His act was damaging the business of the exclusive dealer and in violation of the Intellectual Property Law and the author's rights," he pointed out.

The defendant had admitted that he launched the website www.DVD-4UAE.com in the end of 2005. He said that he managed to break into the encoded broadcasting sites of the satellite channels of ART, Showtime and Orbit and downloaded movies, cartoons and musical files.

However, on July 29, 2006, the police raided the residence of the accused in Al Ain and seized a laptop and around 100 DVDs of pirated Arab, Western and animated movies, in addition to musical material. Source

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Federal law covers all areas of cyber crime

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a federal law on combating cyber crime.

Law No 2 of 2006, issued last month, includes 29 articles and will take effect from the date of its issuance, and is to be published in the official gazette.

Article No 2 considers any intentional act resulting in destroying or revealing secrets or republishing personal or official information as a crime. Anyone found logging into an information website or system shall be punished with jail term or fine, or both.

The law also states that anyone found luring a male or female to commit adultery or prostitution through the internet will be jailed up to five years and fined.

And anyone discovered abusing shrines, religious rituals, insulting them or inciting others to do so shall receive five years in jail and be fined.

Anyone found opposing Islam will be jailed up to seven years.

At a glance

- Article No 3 states that anyone found breaking rules stipulated in Article No 2 of the law shall be sentenced to no less than one year in jail and fined not less than Dh20,000, or both.

- Article No 4 states that anyone found forging any document of federal or local government shall be temporarily imprisoned and fined, or both.

- Article No 5 of the law states that anyone convicted of hampering computer programmes or services shall be punished with a jail term or a fine, or both.

Hacking

- Article No 6 states that anyone hacking into programs or destroying them will be either jailed or fined, or both.

- Article No 7 states anyone found changing or destroying medical tests or healthcare will be temporarily jailed or fined.

- Article No 8 states that anyone found eavesdropping by using any electronic or high-tech means shall be jailed or fined.

- Article No 9 states that anyone convicted of using the internet or any other high-tech means for threatening or black-mailing will be sentenced to no more than two years in jail and fined no more than Dh50,000, or both.

- Article No 10 states that anyone found fleecing money by using the internet or any high-tech means will be sentenced to no less than one year and fined no less than Dh30,000, or both.

- Article No 11 states that anyone found using the data of credit card or any other electronic card of others will be jailed for no less than one year and fined no less than Dh30,000.

- Article No 12 states that anyone found saving information with the intent to exploit will be sentenced to no less than six months in jail and fined no less than Dh30,000.

- Article No 14 states that anyone found logging onto a website with the intent to change the designs of the site will be jailed and fined.

Some of the offences

- Abuse of any Islamic holy shrines or rituals.

- Abuse of holy shrines and religious rituals stipulated in other religions since such rituals are maintained in accordance to the rulings of Islamic Sharia.

- Article No 16 states that anyone found breaking family principles and values or publishing news or pictures related to the private life of the family members will be jailed for no less than one year and fined Dh50,000.

- Article No 17 stipulates that anyone found setting up a website or publishing information using internet or any other cyber means for the purpose of human trafficking will be temporarily imprisoned.

- Article No 18 states that anyone found using websites to sell narcotics will be temporarily jailed.

- Article No 19 states that anyone found transferring dirty money or concealing their sources will be sentenced to no more than seven years and a fine of no less than Dh30,000 and up to Dh200,000.

- Article No 20 states that anyone found publishing information in breach of general order and public decency will be sentenced to not more than five years in jail.
Source

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Conmen hack into UAE Ministry websites

A bogus recruitment agency has linked its website to three UAE ministry websites and is sending jobseekers fake visa applications, senior officials told Gulf News yesterday.

The websites are Ministry of Labour, Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) and the Ministry of Education websites, the officials said.

A Ministry of Labour official revealed that it was not possible to take action against the agency as it has only linked its website to the Ministry websites. “I advise people to be extra cautious when they are applying for a job online," he said.

Brigadier Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of DNRD added that investigations are underway.
In a statement released earlier by WAM, Dr Hanif Hasan, Minister of Education, warned job seekers to verify the authenticity of their appointment letters after the Ministry web site was hacked.

The warning follows after job applicants at the Ministry were shocked to find that their appointment letters signed by the Minister, were actually forged.

A teacher who came to the Ministry of Education to finalise her appointment, had brought with her one of the forged letters of appointment which she printed from the Ministry’s website, the statement said.

The person, or persons, is processing job applications and giving people fake appointment letters, it added.

Dr. Hassan urged all applicants at the ministry to verify the authenticity of the Ministry’s documents and deal with the Ministry only through legal channels.

Officials said the issue has been sent to legal experts for action. Source

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