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The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has issued a warning about the increasing risks of using open public wi‑fi networks after recording over 12,000 breaches through such connections since the start of the year, according to a recent report by state news agency, WAM.
According to the council, these incidents account for nearly 35 per cent of all cyberattacks reported in the UAE this year, underscoring the vulnerabilities posed by unsecured networks that hackers exploit to steal passwords, banking details, and personal information.
The CSC stressed the need for caution when connecting to free or untrusted Wi‑Fi, particularly in cafes, airports, and shopping centres, and urged users to adopt safety measures such as multi-factor authentication, trusted security tools, and the use of reliable virtual private network (VPN) applications.
Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, head of cyber security for the UAE government at the CSC, told WAM that under the directives of the country’s leadership, the council continues its efforts to build a secure cyber environment, strengthen trust in the digital ecosystem, and raise awareness around safe digital practices.
Building cyber resilience with three steps
To help users stay protected online, the council offered three key recommendations:
- Use a trusted VPN to encrypt digital connections.
- Enable “safe browsing” features in web browsers.
- Avoid logging in to sensitive accounts, such as banking or personal email, over public wi‑fi networks.
The CSC also noted that insecure wi‑fi networks can facilitate various types of cyber threats, from “man-in-the-middle” attacks and redirections to fake sites, to the installation of spyware or malware without users’ knowledge.
The council’s Cyber Pulse awareness campaign has returned this year on social media, marking its second edition, and is part of broader national initiatives to enhance cyber resilience and digital hygiene across both institutions and individuals.
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