UAE Cybersecurity Council Urges Community to Beware E-Fraud

Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the Government of the UAE, said that, the world sees a rise in phishing attacks that target members of the cyber community, most notably via SMS.

In collaboration with its partners, the UAE Cybersecurity Council launched the Cyber Pulse initiative to encourage all community members to play a part in cybersecurity efforts and enhance their digital awareness.

Al Kuwaiti identified the necessary steps to protect everyone against e-phishing. The steps include

1) always being careful about publishing private contact information on unreliable online platforms or websites
2) refraining from clicking on any unknown links sent by text message
3) keeping backup copies of personal data
4) updating smartphone operating systems periodically
5) following the security alerts issued by phone manufacturers
6) not downloading any apps from unknown sources.

The signs of being a victim of e-fraud include battery depletion and consumption at an abnormal rate with slower smartphone processing speeds, as well as the device performing unauthorised automated tasks, such as sending text messages to contacts or downloading additional apps, and a rise in the device’s temperature without using performance-draining apps,

he added.