Year: 2022

 

PORTUGAL ALREADY HAS A “WITHDRAWAL PLAN FROM UKRAINE” SANTOS SILVA GUARANTEES THAT THE RESPONSE WILL BE ECONOMIC NOT MILITARY

If the situation worsens, Portugal has a plan to withdraw Portuguese citizens that, within hours, can be activated. For now, informed the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, in an interview with RTP, there were Portuguese who have already left and others who informed that they want to stay in Ukraine. The minister guarantees that on the table is not a NATO military response to a possible Russian aggression against Ukraine.

With the tension intensifying in the last two days in the Donbas region, Ukraine, between the official forces of Ukraine and the separatist forces supported by Russia, the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs wanted to clarify the Portuguese (and NATO) position: “An aggression by Russia on Ukraine does not mean an aggression by Russia on NATO,” he said. However, he added, “NATO defends its border” and therefore a Russian aggression “will trigger an immediate response in economic sanctions never seen before”, he said. “This is not a military response, but an economic one”, he guaranteed.

This is because Ukraine is not part of NATO and, as such, it is not possible to trigger Article 5 of the Atlantic Alliance which says that an offensive against a NATO member is an attack on all remaining members and therefore triggers a collective offensive.

At the Security Conference that is still taking place in Munich NATO leaders hinted that a war in Ukraine is getting closer and closer. Augusto Santos Silva still believes in diplomatic means – “Russia is not under threat from anyone”, he said – especially after the conversations that French President Emmanuel Macron had already today, first with Putin, then with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president. “We are closer, unfortunately, than we were days ago [to a conflict], but it is not irreversible and inevitable. There is still a political window that must be taken advantage of,” he said in the same interview.

The “logical consequence of the worsening of what is happening in Ukraine” is the preparation of the Portuguese Embassy in Kiev in case it is necessary to withdraw Portuguese citizens from the country. Therefore, guaranteed Santos Silva, a “withdrawal plan” has been prepared for weeks that can be activated if there is an interruption of commercial flights to that country.

Meanwhile Joint Military exercise between Russia and Belarus near Belarusian border with Ukraine were due to end today but the Belarusian defence ministry has announced that they will continue. They have been seen as a significant element in the Kremlin’s menacing posture towards its neighbour.

 

 

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ADVISES PORTUGUESE TO TEMPORARILY LEAVE UKRAINE

Minister assured that the Portuguese Embassy in Kiev will remain open to guarantee support to Portuguese citizens.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Portugal does not recommend travel to Ukraine and that the consular services suggest that Portuguese people residing there temporarily leave the country if they do not have to stay for essential reasons.

“Firstly, we strongly recommend that any Portuguese who does not need to travel to Ukraine now for strictly indispensable reasons, do not do so. We recommend that no trips to Ukraine be made, other than those that are strictly essential,” said the minister in statements to journalists.

“As for the Portuguese residing in Ukraine, which are around 240, the Embassy and consular section in Kiev are in permanent contact with all of them. Those who do not have to stay in Ukraine for essential reasons, who consider temporarily leaving that country”, reinforced Augusto Santos Silva.

The minister assured that the Portuguese Embassy in Kiev will remain open to guarantee support to Portuguese citizens living in Ukraine, with Portugal defending the right to sovereignty of Ukrainians in this conflict against Russia.

We have no doubt in defending the right of Ukrainians to have their sovereignty, their choices and their territorial integrity respected”, said the Portuguese minister.

Augusto Santos Silva also mentioned that Russia is “building a set of military capabilities on its border with Ukraine and is carrying out exercises on a scale never seen before in Belarus”, which characterizes a “very dangerous” situation in the region.

Contact details Portuguese Embassy Kiev herePhone(00380) 442 875 861 (Chancery)(00380) 442 875 871 (Consular Section)(00380) 442 875 872 (Consular Section)Fax – (00380) 442 872 066 (Consular Section)E-mail – kiev@mne.pt (Embassy)sconsular.kiev@mne.pt (Consular Section)

 

 

CYBER SECURITY CHECKLIST FOR SMALL AND MIDSIZE BUSINESSES

The recent cyber attack on Vodafone is a wake-up call that no one is immune to hacking and gaining unauthorised access to your computer system.

Post-pandemic cyber security for small and midsize businesses and technology enterprises is now more important than ever. The rise of remote working has left many firms more vulnerable to attacks, while data breaches have become both more costly and potentially more disruptive.

No matter the size of the business, cybersecurity is an essential focus in today’s professional landscape. Although large companies are often the preferred target of cybercriminals, the fallout from a security breach can mean the end of a smaller organization without the resources for significant damage control. For this reason, even a small business must be vigilant to protect its sensitive data from unauthorized access.

To make sure all your security bases are covered, use this cybersecurity checklist as a guide.

1. Keep an Updated Inventory

2. Keep Software and Operating Systems up to Date

3. Manage User Accounts

4. Audit Employee Security Knowledge

6. Restrict Web Traffic

7. Utilize Endpoint Protection Applications and Firewalls

8. Set up a Data Recovery Plan

9. Restrict Wi-Fi Use

10. Be Aware of New Threats

11. Develop a Response for Security Breaches

The check list can be downloaded here. It takes about 10 minutes to read, but in doing so could save you and your business a great deal of disruption should a data security breach happen to your business. Remember cybercrime is increasing and without vigilance we are all vulnerable.https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/cyber-security…/

 

REMINDER ALERT – VISHING – FAKE MICROSOFT TECHNICIANS

Supposed Microsoft technicians asking the victims to install a program on the computer to remotely solve the situation and/or request personal and bank data.

Been around for several years. If you are contacted by phone simply terminate the call, without answering their questions.

 

The preliminary 2021 monitoring data were revealed by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) and may still be revised upwards, “given the vast area now occupied by the species”.In addition to the 70 Iberian lynx whose birth was registered last year – 10 more than the previous year – the data collected also point to the existence of 24 breeding females. In 2020 there were 18.“Seven years after the start of the reintroduction process, around 200 lynx are now referenced, distributed over a vast territory that stretches between the municipalities of Serpa and Tavira”, indicates the ICNF, who notes that “one of the most relevant aspects of 2021 was the consolidation of the population in the Algarve”.In Portugal, the Iberian lynx was, until 2015, a Critically Endangered species.In national territory, this cat was in a “pre-extinction” situation, from which it recovered thanks to measures taken in recent years, which allowed the stabilization of a population in the Guadiana Valley.

 

PROGRESS ON RE-ESTABLISHING SERVICES

CONSUMER ORGANISATION DECO PROTESE STATEMENT ON VODAFONE CUSTOMER RIGHTS CONCERNING COMPENSATION.

Vodafone update last night

“Noting the progress of the work to restore its operation, Vodafone informs that today’s priority has been the stabilization of its network and the recovery of the fixed voice service, which is relevant for all customers, but in particular for business customers. Since lunchtime, we have gradually started the restoration of this service, which has steadily gained stability”.

“It was also possible to re-establish some communication channels with our Customer Support Service. However, we warn of constraints that are still associated and ask for the understanding of customers in the face of the instability that still exists in this service. The re-establishment of digital channels, namely through the My Vodafone APP, is another priority area of action, with results already achieved but not yet fully accessible”.

“The process of sustainability of the provision of mobile data services over the 4G network also continues, which has been evolving favourably, as a result of the continuous efforts of our technical teams.”

Vodafone continues to make an effort to restore its operation, after the cyberattack it was targeted on Monday. There are customers who are, since that time, prevented from performing certain services, but when asked if it is considering giving them compensation, the company says that the “focus” at the moment is to re-establish the operation.

“Right now, Vodafone’s focus is on re-establishing its operation, as soon as possible and with maximum stability, to restore all services to its customers,” said an official Vodafone source in response to Notícias ao Minuto.

Deco Proteste (Portuguese Consumer organisation said, on Wednesday that “we are facing an exceptional situation, in which Vodafone will apparently not be held liable”. However, it is necessary to wait to see what the telecom operator will decide.

“It also remains to wait to see what position the operator will take in relation to its customers. Although it is not responsible for the defective provision of its service, it may somehow seek to compensate its customers “, said DECO, in a note published on its website.

Deco Proteste statement concerning the Vodafone and the situation regarding compensation can be downloaded here:https://www.deco.proteste.pt/…/ciberataque-vodafone…

 

SAFER INTERNET DAY – PROTECTING AGAINST CYBERBULLYING

Sign up today for the European Safest Internet Day, an INSAFE network initiative with the support of the European Commission, which seeks to contribute to the consolidation of a safer internet for everyone, especially for young people.

Among the potential risks to which users are naturally and inevitably exposed to through online activity, “PSP highlights this year the invasion of privacy (physical and or virtual) that can take, among others, the form of ‘cyberbullying’ , ‘cyberstalking’ (computer harassment), ‘revenge porn’ (sharing intimate content for revenge) or ‘sexting’ (sexual messages)”.

Cyberbullying is bullying which, through information technologies (social networks, messaging platforms, games or texting), consist of the same crimes of aggression, threat, offense, defamation, persecution, or destruction of private life.

Such behaviour (represented and which constitutes a crime) that targets one or a group of specific victims, practiced intentionally, unequal and continuous in time, causing fear or shame in front of the group.

There are, however, some preventive measures, specific to each form of aggression, that can be adopted in order to reduce the risk of victimization”, states the PSP, which “advises all people who perceive themselves to be targeted by any of these behaviours, to immediately adopt the two most effective defensive measures: blocking and denouncing (reporting)”.

PREVENTION

For more information and advice and assistance to children, youth and parents on how to deal with harmful content, harmful contact (such as grooming) and harmful conduct such as (cyberbullying or sexting). In multiple languages

IN Portuguese

https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/sic/portugal

In English

https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/sic/united-kingdom

Overview and other languages:https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/policy/insafe-inhope

 

COMMUNICATIONS IN THE FIRE BRIGADES “ARE FULLY FUNCTIONING” ASSURES CIVIL PROTECTION

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) clarified this Tuesday that operational communications are in full operation and that firefighters’ associations have the SIRESP communications network and/or the Firefighters’ Operational Network.

In a response to questions asked by Lusa regarding the existence of constraints in the communications of fire brigades due to the cyberattack that the operator Vodafone was targeted, ANEPC stated: “Operational communications are fully functioning, without any constraints”.

It adds that firefighters’ associations “have the SIRESP – Integrated System of Emergency and Security Networks of Portugal communications network and, alternatively, the Firefighters’ Operational Network (ROB), which ensures the support and development of operations. And assistance that may be necessary to develop in the most varied scenarios, thus guaranteeing communications”.

ANEPC’s response comes after, statements to the Lusa agency, by the commander of the Bragança firefighters, Carlos Martins, who said that since Monday the corporation has been without communications, namely in the usual number of the brigade, as a result of the constraints at Vodafone.

“The biggest problem” that the situation poses, as the commander explained, is the medical emergency, but, “since 21:00 on Monday, it has been established, by national indications that these communications are made through the state network for emergency and security situations, SIRESP.

The executive chairman of Vodafone Portugal said that the cyberattack on the company, on Monday, was “a criminal act” that had “clearly” the objective of making the network unavailable, “with seriousness, to make the level of services as difficult as possible”.

 

PORTUGAL WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!

World champions and Twice EUROPEAN CHAMPION

Portugal 4-2 Rússia

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