Latest news with #MattCooke
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Penguins Forward Matt Cooke Has New Gig
Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke has a new gig for the 2024-25 BCHL season.
Tourism Breaking News
15-06-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
85% of UAE travel sites adopt email authentication measures to protect holidaymakers during peak booking season
Post Views: 39 Proofpoint, Inc., a leading cybersecurity and compliance company released new research revealing that 85% of the top online travel sites* in the UAE have adopted Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC), a key email security protocol that helps protect users from email fraud. However, only 45% of these sites have implemented it at the highest enforcement level of 'reject,' which actively blocks unauthorised emails from reaching inboxes. The findings are based on a DMARC adoption analysis of the top 20 online travel sites in the UAE, and across Europe and the Middle East. DMARC is an email validation protocol designed to protect domain names from being misused by cybercriminals. It authenticates the sender's identity before allowing a message to reach its intended destination. DMARC has three levels of protection – monitor, quarantine and reject, with reject being the most secure for preventing suspicious emails from reaching the inbox. With travel demand in the UAE continuing to rise, a recent KPMG study found that 77% of UAE travellers use mobile apps or hotel booking services, increasing the volume of digital interactions between consumers and travel brands. But as consumers eagerly plan and book their getaways, this surge in activity – coupled with a high volume of emails and promotional offers from travel companies – creates a perfect storm for cybercriminals, turning dream holidays into costly scams through sophisticated email fraud. Key findings include: • The UAE demonstrates stronger foundational email security adoption compared to its European counterparts, with 85% of the top travel sites publishing a DMARC record, reflecting growing awareness of cybersecurity best practices across the country's travel sector. • However, there is room for improvement with only 45% of the UAE's top travel sites using the policy at 'reject' level, meaning 55% are leaving their customers, staff, and partners more vulnerable to receiving fraudulent emails impersonating these brands. • On average, 88% of the top travel websites across Europe and the Middle East have published a basic DMARC record. However, only 46% of all travel sites analysed are at reject, meaning 54% of the top travel sites across the regions are leaving customers at risk of email fraud. 'Holiday bookings often represent a significant number of high-value financial transactions and bring experiences of high personal and emotional value; this combination makes travellers prime targets for cybercriminals. Attackers actively use sophisticated email fraud, especially during peak holiday season, to exploit vulnerabilities,' says Matt Cooke, cybersecurity strategist, Proofpoint. 'Fake booking confirmations, too-good-to-be-true deals, and urgent payment requests for supposed flight changes are common tactics. These fraudulent communications can appear highly convincing, putting travellers' finances and personal data at risk.' 'Travel companies bear a social responsibility to do everything they can to stop convincing scam emails being sent in their name, to holidaymakers,' continues Cooke. 'Implementing DMARC technology to its fullest level of 'reject' allows travel companies to massively reduce the risk of that happening, protecting both their brand and all of the holidaymakers at the same time., it's a win-win.' Proofpoint advises consumers to follow these tips to stay safe when booking and managing travel online: 1. Secure your bookings – and your accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for travel accounts and booking sites. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security. 2. Watch out for fake travel deals – and websites. Be wary of unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true. Scammers create convincing fake websites for airlines, hotels, or comparison sites to steal money and credentials. Always book through official sites or reputable, verified agents. 3. Navigate away from phishing trips – and smishing scams. Stay alert to phishing emails or smishing (SMS phishing) messages regarding flight changes, booking confirmations, or visa applications that demand urgent action or personal details. These often lead to fake login pages designed to capture your information. 4. Don't get detoured by suspicious links. Avoid clicking directly on links in unsolicited emails, social media messages, or pop-up ads, especially for special offers or urgent alerts. Instead, type the official website address directly into your browser. 5. Check reviews before You book. Fraudulent travel offers, websites, and apps can look deceptively genuine. Before providing payment details or downloading a new travel app, invest time in researching the company, reading independent online reviews, and checking for customer complaints.
Channel Post MEA
13-06-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
UAE Travel Brands Taking Proactive Steps To Defend From Fraudulent Emails
Proofpoint has released new research revealing that 85% of the top online travel sites in the UAE have adopted Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC), a key email security protocol that helps protect users from email fraud. However, only 45% of these sites have implemented it at the highest enforcement level of 'reject,' which actively blocks unauthorised emails from reaching inboxes. The findings are based on a DMARC adoption analysis of the top 20 online travel sites in the UAE, and across Europe and the Middle East. DMARC is an email validation protocol designed to protect domain names from being misused by cybercriminals. It authenticates the sender's identity before allowing a message to reach its intended destination. DMARC has three levels of protection – monitor, quarantine and reject, with reject being the most secure for preventing suspicious emails from reaching the inbox. With travel demand in the UAE continuing to rise, a recent KPMG study found that 77% of UAE travellers use mobile apps or hotel booking services, increasing the volume of digital interactions between consumers and travel brands. But as consumers eagerly plan and book their getaways, this surge in activity – coupled with a high volume of emails and promotional offers from travel companies – creates a perfect storm for cybercriminals, turning dream holidays into costly scams through sophisticated email fraud. Key findings include: The UAE demonstrates stronger foundational email security adoption compared to its European counterparts, with 85% of the top travel sites publishing a DMARC record, reflecting growing awareness of cybersecurity best practices across the country's travel sector. However, there is room for improvement with only 45% of the UAE's top travel sites using the policy at 'reject' level, meaning 55% are leaving their customers, staff, and partners more vulnerable to receiving fraudulent emails impersonating these brands. On average, 88% of the top travel websites across Europe and the Middle East have published a basic DMARC record. However, only 46% of all travel sites analysed are at reject, meaning 54% of the top travel sites across the regions are leaving customers at risk of email fraud. 'Holiday bookings often represent a significant number of high-value financial transactions and bring experiences of high personal and emotional value; this combination makes travellers prime targets for cybercriminals. Attackers actively use sophisticated email fraud, especially during peak holiday season, to exploit vulnerabilities,' says Matt Cooke, cybersecurity strategist, Proofpoint. 'Fake booking confirmations, too-good-to-be-true deals, and urgent payment requests for supposed flight changes are common tactics. These fraudulent communications can appear highly convincing, putting travellers' finances and personal data at risk.' 'Travel companies bear a social responsibility to do everything they can to stop convincing scam emails being sent in their name, to holidaymakers,' continues Cooke. 'Implementing DMARC technology to its fullest level of 'reject' allows travel companies to massively reduce the risk of that happening, protecting both their brand and all of the holidaymakers at the same time., it's a win-win.' Proofpoint advises consumers to follow these tips to stay safe when booking and managing travel online: Secure your bookings – and your accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for travel accounts and booking sites. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security. Watch out for fake travel deals – and websites. Be wary of unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true. Scammers create convincing fake websites for airlines, hotels, or comparison sites to steal money and credentials. Always book through official sites or reputable, verified agents. Navigate away from phishing trips – and smishing scams. Stay alert to phishing emails or smishing (SMS phishing) messages regarding flight changes, booking confirmations, or visa applications that demand urgent action or personal details. These often lead to fake login pages designed to capture your information. Don't get detoured by suspicious links. Avoid clicking directly on links in unsolicited emails, social media messages, or pop-up ads, especially for special offers or urgent alerts. Instead, type the official website address directly into your browser. Check reviews before You book. Fraudulent travel offers, websites, and apps can look deceptively genuine. Before providing payment details or downloading a new travel app, invest time in researching the company, reading independent online reviews, and checking for customer complaints.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
British Steel workers block Chinese executives from Scunthorpe plant
British Steel workers have blocked Chinese executives from entering the Scunthorpe steelworks in a dramatic standoff. Representatives from Jingye, British Steel's owner since 2020, arrived at the site at about 8am on Saturday morning, sources said. But it is understood workers stepped in to block their way to offices, just as MPs were preparing for the start of an emergency debate on the future of the steel industry. The workers are believed to have feared the Chinese executives were trying to force the closure of Britain's last remaining so-called 'virgin steelworks', whose product is used in major construction projects such as new buildings and railways. In London, MPs had been recalled to Parliament for an emergency vote to secure Scunthorpe's blast furnaces, paving the way for a transfer of ownership. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, told the Commons that Jingye had been planning to 'irrevocably and unilaterally' close down primary steel making at British Steel Scunthorpe. The Chinese company has previously said it had invested more than £1.2 billion to maintain operations amid production instability and 'significant' financial losses of about £700,000 a day. On Saturday morning, Humberside Police were called to the Scunthorpe plant following reports of a suspected breach of the peace, at which point the delegation of Chinese executives is understood to have withdrawn. Officials from Jingye have been on site regularly in recent days, and it has been reported that their relations with the workforce have become increasingly tense. It is understood that when the Jingye representatives arrived at the plant on Saturday morning, automatic number plate recognition scanners did not allow them through the barriers to the 2,000-acre site. Humberside Police said on Saturday: 'Officers were in attendance at British Steel in Scunthorpe at 8.30am this morning following a suspected breach of the peace. 'Upon attending, conducting checks and speaking to individuals in the area, there were no concerns raised and no arrests were made.' A union source confirmed that police were called this morning after the Jingye executives tried to enter the plant, but the delegation left without gaining access. Later on Saturday, hundreds of people, including steelworkers and their families, marched to Scunthorpe United's stadium in the town in support of the plant. The crowd chanted: 'We want our steel back' and 'We want British Steel', as passing motorists tooted their horns. Matt Cooke, 34, a union official for Community, the union that represents steel workers, said: 'The 3,000 jobs there don't come close to the number who rely on those steelworks to stay open – the businesses and the families who need it.' Alasdair McDiarmid, the general secretary of Community, said: 'Community Union welcomes and wholeheartedly backs the Labour Government's decisive action to take control of British Steel. 'The Government has sought to negotiate constructively and even offered to buy raw materials to stop the blast furnaces closing, but Jingye has shut down every avenue to keep the furnaces running and avoid imminent job losses. 'Today's intervention by the UK Labour Government is a first step towards securing a sustainable future for British Steel and steel communities like Scunthorpe.' Jingye has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
12-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
British Steel workers block Chinese executives from Scunthorpe plant
British Steel workers have blocked Chinese executives from entering the Scunthorpe steelworks in a dramatic standoff. Representatives from Jingye, British Steel's owner since 2020, arrived at the site at about 8am on Saturday morning, sources said. But it is understood workers stepped in to block their way to offices, just as MPs were preparing for the start of an emergency debate on the future of the steel industry. The workers are believed to have feared the Chinese executives were trying to force the closure of Britain's last remaining so-called 'virgin steelworks', whose product is used in major construction projects such as new buildings and railways. In London, MPs had been recalled to Parliament for an emergency vote to secure Scunthorpe's blast furnaces, paving the way for a transfer of ownership. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, told the Commons that Jingye had been planning to 'irrevocably and unilaterally' close down primary steel making at British Steel Scunthorpe. The Chinese company has previously said it had invested more than £1.2 billion to maintain operations amid production instability and 'significant' financial losses of about £700,000 a day. On Saturday morning, Humberside Police were called to the Scunthorpe plant following reports of a suspected breach of the peace, at which point the delegation of Chinese executives is understood to have withdrawn. Officials from Jingye have been on site regularly in recent days, and it has been reported that their relations with the workforce have become increasingly tense. It is understood that when the Jingye representatives arrived at the plant on Saturday morning, automatic number plate recognition scanners did not allow them through the barriers to the 2,000-acre site. Humberside Police said on Saturday: 'Officers were in attendance at British Steel in Scunthorpe at 8.30am this morning following a suspected breach of the peace. 'Upon attending, conducting checks and speaking to individuals in the area, there were no concerns raised and no arrests were made.' A union source confirmed that police were called this morning after the Jingye executives tried to enter the plant, but the delegation left without gaining access. Later on Saturday, hundreds of people, including steelworkers and their families, marched to Scunthorpe United's stadium in the town in support of the plant. The crowd chanted: 'We want our steel back' and 'We want British Steel', as passing motorists tooted their horns. Matt Cooke, 34, a union official for Community, the union that represents steel workers, said: 'The 3,000 jobs there don't come close to the number who rely on those steelworks to stay open – the businesses and the families who need it.' Alasdair McDiarmid, the general secretary of Community, said: 'Community Union welcomes and wholeheartedly backs the Labour Government's decisive action to take control of British Steel. 'The Government has sought to negotiate constructively and even offered to buy raw materials to stop the blast furnaces closing, but Jingye has shut down every avenue to keep the furnaces running and avoid imminent job losses. 'Today's intervention by the UK Labour Government is a first step towards securing a sustainable future for British Steel and steel communities like Scunthorpe.'
