RIYADH, 3 November — Websites blocked by King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia’s main Internet service provider, are providing a good business opportunity for local hackers who know how to get around the restrictions.
They offer their confidential services for a little extra payment to clients after providing them with other computer-related services, such as maintenance.
A reporter for the Arabic daily Eqtisadiah tracked down the hackers by presenting himself as a client needing to get access to sites blocked by KACST.
The hackers agreed to do the job.
Indeed, the reporter had no trouble at all in finding willing hackers in every computer center in Riyadh. They also offered access to personal e-mail accounts and sold pornographic DVDs.
Mansour Al-Otaiby, the information coordinator at KACST, told Arab News that his organization has always urged companies take precautions against such hacking operations when they establish websites.
The new report comes when Saudi lawmakers are deciding which punishments should be imposed for the crime of hacking as part of the Kingdom’s effort to introduce a general law regulating the use of the Internet.
The hackers charge between SR100 and SR250 to provide access to restricted sites.
Experts insist that the hackers found hanging around at computer markets are not capable of providing access to prohibited sites, but admit they are able to gain access to e-mail accounts, which according is a much easier process.
Walid Aba Al-Khail, chairman of the committee for the protection of information and e-commerce at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said hacking is a flagrant violation of the Kingdom’s law and urged both companies and individuals to make use of the wide range of software programs designed to protect websites.
