The website of Vietnam Airlines was attacked on July 29 Hanoi (VNA) - The following are the top ten information and communicationtechnology (ICT) events in Vietnam in 2016.
1.Hackers attack Vietnamese airports and Vietnam Airlines
An alleged Chinese hacker group carries outseveral cyberspace attacks on Vietnam’s two biggest airports, Noi Bai and TanSon Nhat International airports, and the official website of the nationalflag-carrier Vietnam Airlines on July 29.
The hackers also took control of the speakersystem at Noi Bai airport for a few minutes, during which the speakersbroadcast an English-speaking male voice distorting Vietnam’s claims over theEast Sea.
The hackers claimed to be the 1937CN fromChina, which is one of the biggest hacker groups in the country.
The official website of Vietnam Airlines,vietnamairlines.com, was hacked by the 1937CN group on the same day. Theairline customer database was stolen and made public on the internet.
2. Minister of Information and CommunicationsTruong Minh Tuan this year granted licences for VNPT, Viettel, MobiFone andGtel to provide 4G service on broadband 1,800 MHz.
On November 3, VNPT officially launched its 4Gservice on Phu Quoc Island in the southern coastal province of Kien Giang. Thisis the first locality in the country where VNPT is providing the 4G service.
3. Article 292 of the Penal Code, whichstipulates penalties, including prison sentences, for providing unlicensedonline or telecom services, is inimical to IT start-ups.
At the second session of the NationalAssembly, with the authorisation of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Justiceasks to revoke Article 292.
Previously, a petition calling for thescrapping of Article 292 was sent to officials, ministers and agencies andcollected nearly 6,000 signatures after only one week.
4. The Hanoi Department of Informationuncovered a case involving Sam Media, a Hong Kong-based company, whichcooperated with four Vietnamese carriers to steal 230 billion VND (10 million USD)from 94,000 mobile users.
These users received advertising messages fromSam Media, which they thought were free. After the case was uncovered, SamMedia was given a fine of 55 million VND (2,400 USD).
5. Cyber attacks on major banks
The Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank(TPBank) is almost cheated out of 1.13 million USD by international hackers inMay.
Fortunately, the bank detected the suspicioustransactions in time and promptly contacted relevant agencies to stop thehackers.
In August, a Vietcombank customer said shediscovered that her account had notifications of transfer of 500 million VND.At a meeting between the customer and Vietcombank, the bank found that she hadbrowsed a scam website on her phone and the site had stolen her bankinginformation and password.
The cases indicate that hi-tech criminals aretargeting banks and Vietnamese users who do not have experience in informationsecurity.
6. Clamp down on pre-activated SIMs
Five mobile network providers - includingViettel, VNPT (VinaPhone), MobiFone, Gtel Mobile and Vietnammobile - sign acommitment on October 28 with the Ministry of Information and Communications tointensify the confiscation of pre-activated SIM cards in order to reduce spamtext messages.
More than 15 million pre-activated SIMs havebeen locked and retrieved since.
7. Dialling code changes
The dialling codes of all cities and provinceswill be changed early next year, according to a decision by the Ministry ofInformation and Communications in November. The process will kick off after theTet (Lunar New Year) holidays, on February 11.
In the first phase, the calling codes of SonLa, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, ThuaThien-Hue, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh will be changed.
Another 23 localities will get new codes onApril 15. The final phase will be initiated on June 17 for the rest of thecountry.
8. 2016 chosen to be National Startup Year
The Government chooses 2016 to be the NationalStartup Year.
Promoting entrepreneurship based on innovationand building Viet Nam to become a startup nation is the fastest way to developenterpreneurial forces, especially high-tech enterprises, creating breakthroughfor the development of a digital economy.
9. Cyber-Information Security Law takes effect
The Law on Cyber Information Safety takeseffect on July 1.
The law comprises eight chapters and 54articles prescribing the rights and responsibilities of offices, organisationsand individuals in ensuring cyber information safety and civilian encryption.
10. Three mobile network providers cancelroaming charges
At the 9th Summit of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam(CLV) Development Triangle Area (CLV 9), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc tasksViettel with modernising the telecommunication networks of the three countrieswith 4G technology.
He also asks Viettel to support the buildingof e-Government for the three countries and deploy phone calls amongsubscribers in the three countries at domestic rates, which means cancellingroaming fees for subscribers in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.-VNA
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