On Friday, the UAE’s Cybersecurity Council took the time to send a warning to all people about the dangers of cyber fraud.
In a statement to state news agency WAM, Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the Government of the UAE, said that given the rapid pace with which technology continues to develop, twinning with increasing reliance on digital solutions, the world has begun to see a rise in phishing attacks. In particular, Al Kuwaiti noted, through the use of fraudulent SMS sent to users luring them with prizes to click on unsecure links and share personal, credit card, and other information.
The council has launched its Cyber Pulse Initiative to encourage all community members to play a part in cybersecurity efforts and enhance their digital awareness, Al Kuwaiti added.
In addition, the council went on to highlight the importance of countering various types of phishing attacks and raising the community’s awareness of suspicious online activities, as well as identifying the steps necessary to protect all community members from phishing.
“The steps include always being careful about publishing private contact information on unreliable online platforms or websites, refraining from clicking on any unknown links sent by text message, keeping backup copies of personal data, updating smartphone operating systems periodically, following the security alerts issued by phone manufacturers, and not downloading any apps from unknown sources,” WAM reported.
Signs of electronic fraud include abnormal battery depletion and consumption, with slower smartphone speeds, Al Kuwaiti explained, along with devices performing unauthorized automated tasks, such as sending a text message to contacts or downloading additional apps. The device might also see its temperature rise without using any performance-draining apps.
