Last updated on December 20, 2023

Volume 04 Issue 12 – 20th  December 2023

Hithawathi Monthly Bulletin

Shop… shop.. shop. till you drop,
this festive season

Online shopping is easy but …….

Is online shopping associated with a risk?

Online shopping is simple, but it can be risky. When you buy things online, there’s a chance that cybercriminals might try to harm you. They do this by trying to take your money or by stealing your personal information. These criminals can be tricky – they create fake websites, sell things that aren’t real, ask for your personal and payment details, and even install malicious software on your device. So, even though online shopping is convenient and easy, there may be a hidden danger that you should be careful about.

Almost two million affected by data company Zeroed-In Technologies breach.
https://cybernews.com

Numbers published in Twitter’s advertising resources indicate that Twitter had 373.1 thousand users in Sri Lanka in early 2023.
https://datareportal.com

Some Google Drive for Desktop users are missing months of files.
https://www.theverge.com

Social media usage is one of the most popular online activities. In 2022, over 4.59 billion people were using social media worldwide, a number projected to increase to almost six billion in 2027.
https://www.statista.com

Top tips for staying cyber secure
while you’re on holiday

Tip 1: Share as few details as possible.

Tip 2: Draft separate responses for internal and external replies.

Tip 3: Handle the ‘need to know’ before you go.

 

 

Foxit releases Security Updates
Security updates address multiple vulnerabilities affecting Foxit Reader and Foxit PDF Editor that could allow attackers to perform remote code execution on vulnerable systems.
https://digital.nhs.uk

Unlocking tomorrow’s Cybersecurity: A sneak peek into ReadySetCyber
In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, staying ahead of threats is essential.
https://www.cisa.gov

Critical ownCloud flaw under attack (CVE-2023-49103)
Attackers are trying to exploit a critical information disclosure vulnerability (CVE-2023-49103) in ownCloud, a popular file sharing and collaboration platform used in enterprise settings.
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com


Cyber News

 

Sri Lanka identified as a soft target for cyber criminals
Sri Lanka has been identified as a soft target for the cyber criminals to carry out their cyber crimes and online internet hacking activities.
https://www.dailynews.lk

Cyberattack hits Slovenia’s largest power utility
The IT network of HSE, Slovenia’s largest power utility, was hit with a cyberattack recently. The situation now appears to be under control, but the source of the incident has not yet been found.
https://cybernews.com

European Tech funding falls by 45% year over year
The economic turmoil surrounding the world has begun to have an enormous impact on the European tech industry.
https://www.digitalinformationworld.com

U.S, U.K. and 16 other nations agree on AI Security Guidelines
Eighteen countries have signed an agreement on AI safety, based on the principle that it should be secure by design.
https://www.forbes.com

 

 

 

Reel of the month


Watch the Reel posted on Hithawathi Facebook page on the 10th day of every month and Comment briefly on what you understood / added to your knowledge!
Five randomly selected winners will be awarded MD Gunasena bookshop gift vouchers of Rs.2,000/- each!
Many Thanks to LK Domain Registry for being the financial sponsor of this contest!

Crown Prince

During his twenties, Rayyan loved using apps, especially dating and social media ones. One day, he got a message on Skout from someone named “Sheikh Hamdan Fazza”. Rayyan was a bit unsure about it, but he wanted to find out more. Soon, the same person messaged him on Imo.

Sheikh Hamdan Fazza: Hi

See what happens next

Awareness Programmes

Past Events:

Award for Hithawathi Project of LK Domain Registry
AT WATERS EDGE HOTEL

A Merit Award was presented to Hithawathi Project of LK Domain Registry at the International Conference on Sustainable and Digital Business (ICSDB) 2023, organized by SLIIT Business School on 14th December 2023 at Waters Edge Hotel.

 

Cyber Safety session
AT LK DOMAIN REGISTRY

A session on trending Cyber Safety issues was conducted by TechCERT especially for Hithawathi team on 11th December 2023 at LK office premises. Staff of LK Domain Registry and TechCert participated in this session.


Hithawathi Awareness session
AT UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

An awareness session on Cybersafety and Hithawathi services was held on 7th December 2023, during the workshop on ‘Technology Facilitated Sexual & Gender Based Violence’ at University of Colombo. About 50 officers from various organizations participated in this session which was organized by Centre for Women’s Research (CENWOR).


Discussion between Hithawathi and TikTok
AT LK DOMAIN REGISTRY

Hithawathi had a discussion with a TikTok official (Manager, TikTok – Outreach & Partnerships Programs, Trust and Safety – Public Policy) on 6th December 2023 at LK Domain Registry. The main purpose of that meeting was to create a Community Partner Channel between Hithawathi and TikTok.


Training on Fact Checking

AT LK DOMAIN REGISTRY

A training on “Fact Checking”: misinformation and disinformation was conducted by Ms.P.Sandamali, Fact Checker from Fact-Crescendo Sri Lanka for Hithawathi team on 30th November 2023 at LK Domain Registry premises.

Hithawathi awareness session
AT MATALE HELA CLOTHING (PVT) LTD

An awareness session of Hithawathi services and Cyber Safety, organized Matale – Hela Clothing (Pvt) Ltd was held on 21st November 2023 at the factory premises. About 1500 employers participated in this session.


Hithawathi Awareness session

AT DEHIWALA HOLY FAMILY CONVENT

An awareness session on Cybersafety and Hithawathi services was held on 20th November 2023 at Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala. School teachers and about 250 students participated in this session. The session was organized by Women’s Help Line (1938) – Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.


Launch of Suhuruliya 2.0

AT BMICH, COLOMBO

Hithawathi was invited for the Launch of Suhuruliya 2.0 by Information Communication & Technology Agency (ICTA). This event took place at BMICH on 20th November 2023.

 

To participate in future webinar sessions and learn about cyber security,

please join our Viber or WhatsApp group by clicking the icons below:


Movie Hint

Single White Female (1992)


A woman (played by Bridget Fonda) advertises for a roommate. She soon discovers that her new roommate is a hacker (Jennifer Jason Leigh) intent on stealing her identity.

https://youtu.be/ROg4MoaAXvY?si=RvIlfOuYmtLEl9-x

GADGET

 

Gift of Light


The color of the butterfly touched is an indication of the scene (or action) that will be created by the lights associated with the device.

https://www.hackster.io

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