Cybersecurity expert Haitham Salah-Eddin recently revealed that a breach of a digital advertising display management system in Cairo, which resulted in the broadcast of pornographic content, was caused by a cyberattack targeting the international company responsible for managing the advertising content. This company, which manages advertising screens across four countries, including Brazil, was hacked, granting the hacker remote control over the content displayed on screens in these nations.
During a phone interview with “al-Hekaya,” (The Story) hosted by Amr Adib on MBC Masr on Saturday, Salah-Eddin explained that the Egyptian company that owns the screen had leased it to the international firm tasked with managing the advertisements displayed on it. This allowed the hacker to access the system and display unauthorized content on the billboard in Cairo. The breach highlighted the vulnerability of digital advertising systems to cyberattacks.
Salah-Eddin noted that this type of attack has occurred in other countries; Germany experienced a similar incident earlier this year, preceded by another in England. The motives of the hackers vary depending on the nature of the groups carrying out the attacks, he explained. Some groups carry out these operations to make their presence known, while others resort to hacking for financial rewards.
According to Salah-Eddin, some attacks carry political messages intended to weaken public faith in their safety, despite protective measures taken by their governments. He cited events that took place in France as an example of such attacks. The expert warned of the expanding scope of unconventional cyberattacks, emphasizing that they are no longer limited to websites or traditional systems.
Salah-Eddin further observed that cyberattacks now extend to internet-connected devices, including advertising displays, refrigerators, and various household appliances. He cited an incident that occurred in France two or three weeks ago, in which approximately 700 smart refrigerators, located in hypermarkets belonging to four major retail chains, were hacked, causing the internal temperatures to rise and resulting in the spoilage of frozen food.
The expert noted that there is recent information circulating suggesting that the individual behind the hack is a Brazilian national. He added that similar events had taken place a month earlier, in August, highlighting the increasing frequency of such incidents. The breach in Cairo and similar incidents worldwide underscore the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect digital systems.
Salah-Eddin's warnings highlight the need for increased vigilance and security measures to protect against cyberattacks. As digital systems become increasingly interconnected, the potential for cyber threats to spread and cause widespread disruption grows. The incident in Cairo serves as a reminder of the importance of securing digital advertising systems and internet-connected devices.
Key points
- The hack was caused by a cyberattack on the international company managing the advertising content.
- Similar incidents have occurred in other countries, including Germany, England, and France.
- Cyberattacks now extend to internet-connected devices, including advertising displays and household appliances.
