The UAE Cybersecurity Council has underscored the importance of strengthening the protection of personal and financial data in the digital space, warning that financial information remains one of the most heavily targeted assets by online fraudsters, whether aimed at individuals, companies or institutions.
The Council revealed that 60 per cent of financial cyberattacks originate from stolen login credentials, urging individuals to exercise heightened vigilance when handling financial data and to adopt preventive measures that reduce the risk of hacking and fraud.
It stressed the importance of avoiding the storage of sensitive passwords on unsecured devices, regularly reviewing privacy settings, deleting untrusted applications, enabling two-factor authentication and ensuring that operating systems and software are updated consistently.
According to the Council, every step taken by individuals to safeguard their data — particularly financial information — contributes to reducing the likelihood of falling victim to cyber fraud and identity theft. Such crimes may involve direct targeting of bank accounts or unauthorised access to personal accounts and email platforms, ultimately enabling fraudsters to obtain financial details.
The Council also called for behavioural changes in the way financial data is handled online. It recommended relying on secure payment methods, refraining from storing financial information on mobile phones or personal devices, monitoring bank accounts regularly and avoiding engagement with suspicious advertisements or unverified entities. Users were further urged to verify incoming messages carefully, especially as fraudsters increasingly imitate the logos and branding of banks and reputable financial institutions.
Additionally, the Council warned against using open or public Wi-Fi networks to conduct banking transactions. It advised the use of strong and unique passwords for bank accounts and associated services, as well as activating instant banking alerts to detect unusual activity promptly and enable swift reporting in the event of suspected fraud.
These guidelines form part of broader efforts to enhance awareness of cyber fraud risks. The Council emphasised the need for caution before clicking on any links or sharing personal or financial information, particularly amid rapid technological developments that require continuous digital awareness and responsible online behaviour.
It further noted that safety in cyberspace has become a major challenge, and that adherence to preventive measures and sound digital practices supports government efforts to strengthen national digital security.
Fraudulent Messages Rise by 35% in 2025
In a related development, the UAE Cybersecurity Council warned of the growing threat posed by fraudulent messages targeting members of the public. It called on users to remain vigilant, report and delete suspicious messages, avoid engaging with them, block unknown numbers and notify the relevant authorities.
The Council indicated that fraudulent messages increased by approximately 35 per cent in 2025, posing an escalating challenge for users. This trend underscores the need to adopt knowledge-based defensive tools and technologies capable of detecting fraudulent attempts and fake identities with greater speed and accuracy.
Fraudsters are increasingly employing sophisticated methods, including impersonating official or government entities and trusted organisations to deceive users into disclosing personal or financial information.
The Council outlined several indicators that may signal fraudulent messages, including a sense of urgency, lack of personalisation, offers that appear too good to be true or messages originating from unknown numbers. Common examples include phrases such as: “You have won”, “You have a refund”, “Verify your bank account” or “Discounted credit card offer”.
It stressed that combating phishing and fraud begins with the individual by strengthening cyber awareness and digital literacy. Users were advised not to respond to suspicious messages, to block the sender, avoid clicking on embedded links and adopt preventive habits such as installing spam-blocking applications and regularly deleting untrusted messages.
The Council concluded that digital safety has become a critical priority, and that these preventive measures complement ongoing government efforts to address emerging digital threats and safeguard the integrity of the national digital ecosystem.
