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Rabat – Twelve-year-old Moroccan genius Rayan Ait Tahar uncovers security flaws in renowned websites, drawing the attention of major corporations, thanks to his curiosity and self-taught computer skills.
Despite his young age, Rayan has distinguished himself in the field of cybersecurity, winning international competitions with his hacking skills, including the famous football player Neymar’s website and that of a major transport company, to improve their online security.
“I managed to change the place of the logo on Neymar’s website. They didn’t believe it at first, so they asked me for a report of what I did and that allowed me to win the first prize of $72,000. However, I didn’t receive it because I’m a minor,” Ait Tahar explained to the local media.
On February 6, which marked the World Safer Internet Day, the Ibn Hazm school in Casablanca organized an event with awareness-raising workshops to combat online frauds, where Rayan was honored after winning a global competition in the field of cyber protection.
This achievement earned him an invitation from a Canadian organization specializing in cybersecurity, after he won first place in a competition with 58,000 participants.
In a statement, Rayan recounted how he started out learning robotics at school, before immersing himself in programming and cybersecurity. His debut in international competitions was motivated by a personal challenge, which quickly turned into a passion.
The young boy is not really concerned with money, as his father attested, pointing out that raising his son meant a lot of work, especially when it came to legal protection.
Ait Tahar’s family wants their son to complete his education in Morocco despite many funding offers from big businesses like Cisco, indicating their desire to see their son succeed in his native country.
Read also: US Pledges to Support Morocco’s Position as Continental Leader in Cybersecurity
