The United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have been urged to devise laws to punish Internet hackers in this second-most wired country in the Middle East.
The Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research Centre (ECSSR) released a bulletin listing the recent breeches of security to the UAE's Internet services. The message called on the authorities to enact necessary measures to combat the rising problem.
The bulletin demanded that the judicial officials keep pace with the fast developments in information technology, to be able to deal with any sabotage aimed to hinder the smooth functioning of the Internet.
The recent security problems were referred to as "risks lurking in the dark," particularly amid a time when Dubai is striving toward a full-fledged e-government and e-commerce program, the Individual reported.
Since May, UAE Internet surfers have been complaining about problems in accessing the world-wide-web as their computers receive no response from the server of the Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat).
A computer network technician in a Dubai-based construction company, was recently arrested on suspicion of hacking the Etisalat system, the UAE's sole telecom service provider.
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
