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Etisalat Vows to Prosecute Internet Hackers
From: InfoSec News <isn () C4I ORG>
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 00:39:07 -0500
http://news.excite.com/news/r/000628/05/net-emirates-hacker-dc Updated 5:25 AM ET June 28, 2000 DUBAI (Reuters) - United Arab Emirates telecoms firm Etisalat has vowed to prosecute hackers into the country's Internet system and described as "baseless" lawsuits by a Briton alleged to have disrupted online services earlier this month. "It is appalling to think that any of these 'hackers' can infiltrate a computer security system and cause absolute chaos with direct economic consequences," Etisalat's lawyer, Hamad Kadfoor al-Mehairi, said in a statement received by Reuters on Wednesday. "We have a duty at Etisalat and the government of the UAE to safeguard the confidentiality of our customers to ensure complete trust in the system. We will not hesitate in prosecuting anyone who abuses the system," he added. Lee Alan Ashurst, 21, of Manchester, suspected by Etisalat officials of hacking and blamed for disruption experienced by some local Internet subscribers earlier this month, has denied the accusations and said he had filed lawsuits for defamation and damages against Etisalat. "I have no idea what they (Etisalat) are talking about, I am being used as a scapegoat," Ashurst told a news conference on Monday. "I have lost my job, my company car and apartment as a result of these accusations and I am suing Etisalat for defamation and damages," he added. Mehairi said Etisalat viewed the lawsuit as "baseless and simply a diversionary tactic." Mehairi said hacking into the Internet system endangered electronic commerce in the UAE and was punishable under the law by up to ten years in jail. Dubai is trying to build on its reputation as a regional trading hub to attract international information technology firms to set up bases at a $272 million free trade zone for electronic commerce scheduled to open later this year. Local media on Monday quoted Dubai's Attorney General Ibrahim abu Melha as saying a committee of computer experts was looking into the case and would examine statements from both Etisalat and Ashurst. "Once the technical report is made public, the seriousness of the crime would be obvious. Although many of the younger generation view the Internet as a challenging game or pastime, we have to protect the commercial interest of the United Arab Emirates," Mehairi said. ISN is hosted by SecurityFocus.com --- To unsubscribe email LISTSERV () SecurityFocus com with a message body of "SIGNOFF ISN".
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