UAE Cyber Security Council Warns Against Social Engineering in Cyberattacks

Understanding Social Engineering in Cyberattacks

The UAE Cyber Security Council has issued a warning about the prevalent use of social engineering in cyberattacks, highlighting that it is involved in nearly 98% of such incidents. Unlike traditional cyber threats that exploit technical vulnerabilities, social engineering targets human weaknesses.

Cyber Pulse Initiative: Enhancing Digital Literacy

This warning is part of the Councils Cyber Pulse initiative, a comprehensive 52-week awareness campaign. The initiative aims to enhance digital literacy and resilience among individuals and institutions, equipping them to better defend against cyber threats.

Common Social Engineering Tactics

Attackers often masquerade as officials, friends, or trusted organizations to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or performing harmful actions. Common tactics include:

• Offering fake rewards
• Impersonating credible entities
• Sending urgent threats
• Overloading victims with conflicting information

These fraudsters exploit emotions such as empathy, urgency, and fear to manipulate victims, aiming to extract banking or personal information or to coerce them into making hasty decisions.

Protective Measures Against Social Engineering

The Council advises the public to take several protective measures:

• Verify the identity of individuals or organizations before sharing personal information.
• Avoid disclosing sensitive data like account details or passwords.
• Be cautious of unexpected messages that demand immediate action.
• Stay informed by monitoring official alerts and cybersecurity guidance.

Building Trust in the UAEs Digital Ecosystem

Now in its second year, the Cyber Pulse campaign is a crucial part of national efforts to bolster digital safety. It aims to protect users from increasing cyber risks and foster trust in the UAEs digital ecosystem.