A new report indicates that Microsoft's Edge web browser suffered an increase in critical vulnerabilities in 2024, meaning that cyber criminals could have exploited the software without deceiving users.
The report conducted by cybersecurity firm BeyondTrust, however, said that Microsoft's vigilance to find and prevent security flaws has helped to drive down critical vulnerabilities in the company's overall product offerings.
“Critical vulnerabilities dropped to an all-time low of 78 in 2024, compared to 84 in 2023, and 196 back in 2020,” read part of the BeyondTrust report, released April 17.
Christopher Hills, chief security strategist for BeyondTrust, told The National that Microsoft's ubiquitous Office suite also made improvements, and the recent spike in critical vulnerabilities discovered in Edge.
“The Microsoft Edge vulnerabilities had seemingly plateaued over the last few years,” he said.
“The last significant year for critical vulnerabilities tied to Edge was back in 2020 with 61 critical vulnerabilities. This then dropped to four in 2021, and remained low until this past year, where it saw nine critical and 292 total vulnerabilities, which is a significant increase over 2023.”
BeyondTrust's report largely gives Microsoft high marks for its Secure Future Initiative, which seeks to take a proactive rather than reactive approach to identifying security vulnerabilities.
The report also notes that Microsoft's Windows operating system “offer far greater security” compared to previous generations.
Morey Haber, chief security adviser at BeyondTrust noted that for all the concerns about critical vulnerabilities that can be exploited with users knowing, the most likely security breaches still occur from malware or phishing scams, where a lack of awareness can create major problems.
“This year’s Microsoft Vulnerabilities Report demonstrates that humans continue to be the weakest link, and not only from social engineering, but also the software we develop,” he wrote in the report.
BeyondTrust's Christopher Hills said that regardless of what operating system or web browser is used, and regardless of the location where users reside, basic cybersecurity awareness is needed.
Haphazardly clicking links and not using basic antivirus software, he said, is a recipe for disaster.
“Threat actors do not discriminate,” he said. “If you leave opportunity on the table, they will exploit it to further their cause or for monetary gains. This is why nobody is safe and every organisation needs to consider themselves a target.”
According to a 2024 report from the World Economic Forum, cybersecurity breaches show no sign of waning, with opportunities for potential cyberattacks growing at an “unprecedented” rate.
Those potential attacks, according to the WEF report, will likely continue with the number of Internet of Things devices expected to exceed 32 billion by 2030.
Security experts also say that artificial intelligence has lowered the barrier for those seeking to commit cyber crimes.
Mr Hills said despite all the warnings, far too many people, even those responsible for cybersecurity, seem to believe they will never be compromised.
“Another human factor in this is many just don’t believe they are a target and I remind people constantly – at conferences, events, and shows – that they are the target and anything they might touch, or have access to, could present an opportunity for a threat actor,” he said.
“I tell them that threat actors are not dumb, but they are lazy – they will take the path of least resistance, and if you leave any opportunity, such as these Microsoft vulnerabilities, on the table for them to exploit or capitalise on, they will take advantage of them.”
RESULT
Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
SRI LANKS ODI SQUAD
Perera (capt), Mendis, Gunathilaka, de Silva, Nissanka, Shanaka, Bandara, Hasaranga, Udana, Dananjaya, Dickwella, Chameera, Mendis, Fernando, Sandakan, Karunaratne, Fernando, Fernando.
The five pillars of Islam
match info
Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
UAE%20Warriors%20fight%20card
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Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie
Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
PLAY-OFF%20DRAW
%3Cp%3EBarcelona%20%20v%20Manchester%20United%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EJuventus%20v%20Nantes%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESporting%20Lisbon%20v%20Midtjylland%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EShakhtar%20Donetsk%20v%20Rennes%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAjax%20v%20Union%20Berlin%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBayer%20Leverkusen%20v%20Monaco%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESevilla%20v%20PSV%20Eindhoven%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESalzburg%20v%20Roma%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.
Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking
Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran
