A recent report on the Digital UAE official website warned UAE residents of an uptick in mobile phone scams. According to Digital UAE, subtle changes that are often ignored by most users could be telltale signs of being hacked. These signs could include:
- Phone batteries are getting drained at an unusually rapid rate.
- Smart devices begin to lag more often.
- Mobile phones may download random apps or send sporadic messages without the user’s knowledge.
- Devices overheat due to apps that are not actively used.
The report strictly advises UAE users to not submit to any threats they receive anonymously and immediately report the scam to the authorities through official channels.
The UAE’s is actively enhancing its cybersecurity landscape with timely initiatives such as the ‘Cyber Pulse’ initiative, launched by the Cyber Security Council. Cyber Pulse aims to inculcate cybersecurity best practices among its tech-savvy population and raise awareness of evolving phishing attempts and scams. The initiative utilizes a range of events and activities, such as training courses, workshops, and lectures about cybersecurity. UAE’s FedNet supervises data exchange between local government bodies and federal entities. FedNet is responsible for monitoring the UAE technological infrastructure and putting necessary policies in place to protect data.
Digital UAE advises UAE residents to stay vigilant for phishing attempts by not clicking on links in anonymous text messages and downloading links from suspicious sources.
