The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned of the serious risks posed by using unsecured, free public Wi-Fi networks, revealing that more than 12,000 breaches have been recorded through such networks since the beginning of the year.
The Council said this accounted for nearly 35 per cent of the total cyberattacks reported in the UAE, with hackers stealing passwords, banking details and other personal information.
The authority urged the public to exercise caution when using public Wi-Fi networks, such as avoiding sensitive transactions, enabling multi-factor authentication and using trusted security tools.
Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government at UAE Cyber Security Council, said that while these networks seem convenient in terms of speed and cost, they are often not sufficiently secured, making them an open arena for fraud and electronic hacking activities.
Three main safety steps to remember while using public Wi-Fi
- Using a reliable VPN application that encrypts the user's digital connection, making it difficult for any unauthorised party to intercept data
- Activate the "Safe Browsing" feature to ensure that suspicious websites are not accessed
- Avoid logging into sensitive accounts, such as banking accounts or personal email, when using open Wi-Fi
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