Cyber threats are changing rapidly in a fast-paced digital age. So, social engineering has emerged as one of the most dangerous tools i the arsenal of cyberattacks. Therefore, the UAE Government’s Cybersecurity Council has issued a fresh alert. In addition, the authority has warned residents about the increasing number of scams that spoil human trust instead of targeting the system directly.
According to the council, cybercriminals often study the online behavior, gather basic personal details, and develop fake relationships with their targets. In addition, they may interact with social media posts or impersonate trusted people before tricking victims into revealing sensitive data.
The advice of the council is simple but powerful. So, it advises that if you would not share something in person, don’t post it online.
How Social Engineering Cyberattacks Work
It depends on the psychological manipulations, which trick people into revealing confidential data or giving access to secure systems. Traditionally, hackers attack the software or network. However, these scams target the human element. Below is the list of tactics used by scammers in these scams:
- Building fake trust through online interaction.
- Sending urgent requests to pressure victims into quick action.
- Using personal details to make messages more believable
Six Common Fraud Techniques Identified
The UAE Cybersecurity Council mentioned six major forms of social engineering. We have listed them below:
- Email Phishing – Fake emails from banks or companies with malicious links or requests for passwords.
- Vishing (Voice Phishing) – Fraudulent calls from people pretending to be official representatives.
- Smishing (SMS Phishing) – Text messages with malicious links or fake prize claims.
- Baiting – Offering free downloads or gifts containing harmful software.
- Pretexting – Inventing convincing stories to obtain sensitive details.
- Quid Pro Quo Scams – Fake technical support or vouchers in exchange for personal data.
What does the UAE Cybersecurity Council advise?
On the official channel, the council advises,” Do not give scammers the opportunity to steal your data. Always verify the message before sharing any personal data. Here, your awareness is your first line of defense.
Residents are advised to look out for the urgent messages that are “too good to be true” offers and suspicious offers. In addition, cybercriminals destroy publicly available information (OSINT) to create highly targeted scams.
Cybersecurity begins with awareness. In addition, you can save yourself from becoming the victim of a social engineering scam by identifying these methods and thinking twice before responding.
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