Kerala Feeds: [Keralites] Warnings issued as cybercrimes rise in Kuwait

Sunday, January 27, 2008

[Keralites] Warnings issued as cybercrimes rise in Kuwait

Warnings issued as cybercrimes rise in Kuwait

KUWAIT : The number of cybercrimes in Kuwait has increased at an alarming rate exposing citizens to extortion and theft, the Ministry of Interior said in a press release issued Saturday. Official Ministry Spokesperson Brigadier Mohammed Hashim Al-Sabr also disclosed results of a report prepared by the Technical Affairs Section at the General Criminal Investigation Department (GCID) which showed Kuwait is currently experiencing several cyber-related problems for the first time not only in the country but also in the Arab and Islamic region. He added most of the Internet users in the region are not aware that some of the activities they are performing in cyber space are against the law.

Worried at the possible repercussions of cybercrimes in the Kuwaiti society, Al-Sabr said the Ministry decided to launch a public awareness campaign on the crimes committed in cyber space such as extortion, theft and other threats to gullible individuals. Warning the public on the number of immoral websites including sex, cultural, and marriage sites that surfaced recently in the country, Al-Sabr said these websites encourage the public to engage in immoral acts, which are against the teachings of Islamic Sharia. He stressed the need to punish the owners of these websites to protect the image of Kuwait. On social networking sites and chat rooms, Al-Sabr said people should be wary of these sites as some people exploit the identities of others for their own benefit. He also advised the public to be careful about publishing their photos on these websites as some scrupulous individuals edit these photos and use them in sexually-oriented websites. Indicating this practice is against the law, Al-Sabr pointed out it is also illegal to download private video clips through Bluetooth in mobiles. He said some people use these video clips and photos to threaten mobile users.

Al-Sabr also highlighted the dangers posed by sending SMS through the Internet. "Users may take advantage of this service in threatening other people as their identities cannot be traced, unlike when they use mobile phones," he explained. Confirming many people experienced problems with their stolen or lost credit cards, Al-Sabr said hackers can steal information from credit cards, which they can use for their own benefit. He attributed the problem to the absence of a program people can use to secure information on their credit cards. "Most of the victims are not aware that they have given their personal information to unscrupulous individuals," he said advising the public not to store their credit card information in their personal computers as hackers can easily log on to these computers to steal relevant information. Al-Sabr revealed the Technical Affairs Section is currently dealing with a number of cybercrimes and has, so far, arrested several criminals. He said the Ministry is calling on the parents to guide their children on the proper use of cyber technology. He added parents should warn their children on the dangers of visiting immoral websites.

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::: KUWAIT :::

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