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Hackers Can Unlock, Steal Your Vehicles, NCC Alerts Nigerians

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NCC Issues Final Letters Of Licence Awards To 5G Spectrum Winners

…Warns of vulnerability to new Android trojan apps

Olushola Okunlade Writes

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) wishes to alert telecom consumers and members of the public on an ongoing cyber-vulnerability that allows a nearby hacker to unlock vehicles, start their engines wirelessly, and make away with the cars.

The fact that car remotes are categorized as short-range devices that make use of radiofrequency (RF) to lock and unlock cars informed the need for the Commission to alert the general public of this emergent danger, where hackers take advantage to unlock and start a compromised car.

According to the latest advisory released by the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), the Cybersecurity Centre for the telecom sector established by the NCC, the vulnerability is a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack or, more specifically, a replay attack in which an attacker intercepts the RF signals normally sent from a remote key fob to the car, manipulates these signals, and re-sends them later to unlock the car at will.

With this latest type of cyber-attack, it is also possible to manipulate the captured commands and re-transmit them to achieve a different outcome altogether. “Multiple researchers disclosed a vulnerability, which is said to be used by a nearby attacker to unlock some Honda and Acura car models and start their engines wirelessly. The attack consists of a threat actor capturing the radio frequency (RF) signals sent from your key fob to the car and resending these signals to take control of your car’s remote keyless entry system,” the advisory stated emphatically.

However, the NCC-CSIRT, in the advisory, has offered some precautionary measures or solutions that can be adopted by car owners to prevent falling victim to the attack.

According to the cyber-alert unit of the Commission, “When affected, the only mitigation is to reset your key fob at the dealership. Besides, the affected car manufacturer may provide a security mechanism that generates fresh codes for each authentication request, this makes it difficult for an attacker to ‘replay’ the codes thereafter. Additionally, vulnerable car users should store their key fobs in signal-blocking ’Faraday pouches’ when not in use.”
Importantly, car owners in the stated categories are advised to choose Passive Keyless Entry (PKE) as opposed to Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), which would make it harder for an attacker to read the signal due to the fact that criminals would need to be at close proximity to carry out their nefarious acts.

The PKE is an automotive security system that operates automatically when the user is in proximity to the vehicle, unlocking the door on approach or when the door handle is pulled, and also locking it when the user walks away or touches the car on exit. The RKE system, on the other hand, represents the standard solution for conveniently locking and unlocking a vehicle’s doors and luggage compartment by remote control.

Additionally, in a related advisory, the NCC, based on another detection by CSIRT, wishes to inform the general public about the resurgence of Joker Trojan-Infected Android Apps on the Google Play Store. This arose due to the activities of criminals who intentionally download legitimate apps from the Play Store, modify them by embedding the Trojan malware, and then upload the app back to the Play Store with a new name.

The malicious payload is only activated once the apps go live on the Play Store, which enables the apps to scale through Google’s strict evaluation process. Once installed, these apps request permissions that once granted, enable the apps to have access to critical functions such as text messages and notifications.

As a consequence, a compromised device will subscribe unwitting users to premium services, billing them for services that do not exist. A device like this can also be used to commit Short Messaging Service (SMS) fraud while the owner is unaware.

It can click on online ads automatically and even use SMS One Time passwords (OTPs) to secretly approve payments. Without checking bank statements, the user will be unaware that he or she has subscribed to an online service. Other actions, such as stealing text messages, contacts, and other device data, are also possible.

To avoid falling victim to the manipulation of hackers deploying Joker Trojan-Infected Android Apps, Android users have been advised to avoid downloading unnecessary apps or installing apps from unofficial sources. The NCC also wishes to advise telecom consumers to ensure that apps installed from the Google Play Store are heavily scrutinized by reading reviews, assessing the developers, perusing the terms of use, and only granting the necessary permissions.

Conclusively, the NCC recommends that unauthorized transactions be checked against any installed app. Indeed, any apps not in use should be deleted while users are also advised to ensure that a device is always patched and updated to the latest software.

Telecom

Globacom Again Sponsors Ofala Festival 2023

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Globacom Sponsors Ofala Festival 2023

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has announced its readiness to sponsor the 2023 edition of Ofala Festival in furtherance of its support for the cultures and traditions of the Nigerian people.

At a press conference attended by senior palace chiefs and members of the Ofala Festival Organising Committee at the Ime Obi, Obi’s Palace, Onitsha, on Thursday, the digital solutions provider disclosed that its support for the yearly event drives by its faith in the nation’s huge cultural heritage and its potential to create employment as well as boost revenue generation.

 

Globacom Sponsors Ofala Festival 2023

Globacom noted: “We are committed to supporting efforts aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our country. This is why we have consistently supported prominent festivals such as Ofala and Ojude Oba over these years. We believe that these festivals if well promoted, will help boost Nigeria’s tourism industry as they will attract tourists who will be willing to come around to witness these festivals. Their presence will be a booster for hotels, restaurants, tour guides, art markets, and several other sectors whose trade will be in demand. Hundreds of thousands of jobs will also be created along the line.” The company referred to the Year 2020 data from the World Tourism Organization, saying that Nigeria is listed as 52nd on the list of top 55 tourism nations globally.

According to Globacom, “Interestingly, the Travel and Tourism market in Nigeria has been projected to grow by 6.13 percent between 2023 and 2027, resulting in a market volume of nearly US$4 in 2027. If we continue to focus on promoting the best of our values for the world, nothing stops Nigeria from moving up to the Top 10 Tourism greats among the comity of nations within the next few years”.

The Festival’s Strategic Marketing and Communication Committee Chairman, Mr.  Nnaemeka Maduegbuna, explained during the press conference that the Obi of Onitsha had approved the theme of this year’s Ofala Festival as “Better, Stronger and Together”. The theme emphasises the relevance of cooperation and unity in attaining societal goals and objectives.

The 2023 Ofala Festival is billed for Ime Obi, Onitsha, Anambra State, from October 14 to 15, 2023. It is a customary obligation performed by The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, as a two-day celebration will comprise the Iru Ofala on October 14 and the Azu Ofala the next
day.

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MoneyMaster PSB Delights Glo Subscribers With G-Kala Airtime Promo  

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MoneyMaster PSB Delights Glo Subscribers With G-Kala Airtime Promo 

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

MoneyMaster PSB (MMPSB, a major payment service bank promoted by telecoms services company, Globacom, has unveiled a new promo in which Glo subscribers in the Lagos area who register and activate their own G-Kala wallets will be rewarded with cash gifts.

In a statement in Lagos, MoneyMaster PSB enjoined Glo subscribers across the Lagos area to make utmost use of the opportunity provided by the G-Kala airtime promo by registering and activating their wallets, which according to the Bank, will be used for various purchases and for winning in the offer.

MoneyMaster explained that “G-Kala wallet is the personal purse of the subscriber. Upon activation, it enables them to transfer money for purchases, buy airtime, pay bills, and pay for goods and services without having to log into any app or use the internet, adding that it is fast and reliable as it is backed by the power of the Globacom network. The wallet is also safe and convenient because it ensures that subscribers do not have to carry cash around”.

It urged them to dial *995# to create their own G-Kala wallets after which they join the first 100 customers to purchase a minimum of N100.00 airtime in winning a free gift of N100 daily, which will be sent to their G-Kala wallet within 24 hours.

“Existing G-Kala customers in and around Lagos are required to dial *995# on their Glo lines after which they will press 4 to buy airtime and join the first 100 customers every day to win the free N100”. MoneyMaster concluded.

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NCC Showcases Indigenous Telecom Achievements At NTICE 2023 Expo

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NCC Convenes Stakeholder Forum On December 5G Auction

By Moninuola Sulaiman

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to showcase achievements so far recorded in the promotion of indigenous content in the telecommunications sector at the second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE 2023), which holds in Lagos from August 22-24, 2023, at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Themed: “Harnessing Indigenous Content for Economic Growth: Networking to Boost Investment”, the Commission said it is mobilizing stakeholders for a remarkable outing, following a very impressive showing at the maiden edition of the event last year.

The NTICE is being coordinated by the Commission’s Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS), which superintends over efforts for effective implementation of the National Policy on the Promotion and Implementation of Indigenous Contents in the Telecommunications Sector, (NPPIC).

The Expo is open to multisectoral participants, including indigenous telecom operators, manufacturers, regulators, government agencies, policymakers, innovators, industry leaders, startups, other actors in the telecom ecosystem, academia, and global experts to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions and new technologies.

The Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 empowers the NCC to encourage local and foreign investments in the Nigerian communications industry, introduce innovative services and practices as well as promote the participation of Nigerians in the ownership, control, and management of communications companies and development of communications manufacturing and supply sectors.

Therefore, NTICE 2023 is being organised in keeping with the extant provisions of the NCA 2003, and to promote the four focus areas of the NPPIC, which are Manufacturing, Service, People as well as Research and Development for innovation in line with the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy.

The event has continued to serve as a rare assemblage of stakeholders where diverse thoughts can be shared in contexts that advance utilization of indigenous content in the nation’s telecommunications industry.

Participation at the event requires mandatory formal registration ahead of the day of the event and the Commission has created the link: www.ntice.ncc.gov.ng for this purpose, and intending participants are advised to register before August 22, 2023.

In an interaction with the NCC’s in-house media recently, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, reiterated that NTICE is Nigeria’s largest annual indigenous telecoms, tech and startups, manufacturing, and innovative event that brings to stakeholders the powerful connections and valuable new relationships that highlights the achievements and vast potentials of a tech-driven digital economy.

The 2023 Expo is billed to project the achievements of indigenous content by the government for the sector and afford participants the platform to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions, and new technologies.

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