Internet piracy, a global problem especially in countries that rely on the web for their daily business transactions, does not pose a major problem in the Middle East at the moment, says Ashok Sharma, Middle East Director of the Business Software Alliance. But Sharma believes it is timely to introduce Internet security measures as the usage of Internet is just beginning to grow in the region, even though the number of users is low compared to the United States and Europe.
"Computer crime is not a major issue in the Middle East because the amount of money to be made in the Internet has not been that high. While in the United States, denial of services has been a major problem, followed by the sale of illegal goods through auction sites," he said.
Sharma, speaking at a regional seminar on Internet security, said using legal computer software can reduce 95 per cent of Internet security problems. "By using the latest versions of software, users can ensure that their security measures are addressed," he said, adding that unauthorized copies can cause problems for individuals and organizations.
He proposed that companies upgrade their software and have a specialized team in Internet security. Developing such expertise will enhance the security of Jordanian firms, he said.
Katherine Fithen, manager of the Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (CERT/CC), said the proliferation of on-line networks has sparked concern about their vulnerability to security breaches.
Two months ago, hackers compromised the portal defenses of the net's most visited sites of Yahoo!. The system went down for three hours, denying access to millions of users.
According to CERT, operated by Carnegie-Mellon University in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, Middle East hackers defaced a popular public library web site in the Gulf, as well as companies in Lebanon. "Security threats can be fatal for organizations using IT, particularly those entering the e-business marketplace. CERT and companies in the Middle East can work together. CERT provides security advice while companies in the region can report security concerns," explained Fithen, in a press release.
In Jordan, there are no specific laws against Internet crimes and piracy, but such infringements are subject to the Penal Code and the Trade Marks and Copyright Laws. Penalties for such violations range from a three-month to three-year jail sentence, including fines.
The seminar, organized by the BSA and CERT, brought together more than 150 participants.