Abu Dhabi, UAE — The UAE Cyber Security Council has cautioned that social engineering remains the most common tool used by cybercriminals, featuring in nearly 98 percent of cyberattacks. The warning came during the sixth week of the Council’s Cyber Pulse initiative, a 52-week campaign designed to strengthen digital literacy and resilience among individuals and institutions.
According to the Council, social engineering attacks target human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. Attackers often pose as trusted figures — including officials, friends, or credible organizations — to manipulate victims into revealing confidential data or performing harmful actions. Common tactics include offering fraudulent rewards, impersonating reputable entities, sending urgent or threatening messages, or creating confusion through conflicting instructions.
“Fraudsters increasingly rely not only on malware but on direct interaction, using empathy, urgency, or fear to manipulate emotions and gain trust,” the Council said in its advisory. It added that the ultimate goal is frequently to obtain banking credentials, personal information, or to push victims into rash and costly decisions.
The Council urged members of the public to adopt precautionary measures, including verifying identities, avoiding the disclosure of sensitive information such as account numbers or passwords, and exercising caution with unsolicited messages demanding immediate responses. It also recommended monitoring official alerts and keeping up to date with cybersecurity guidance to remain protected.
The Cyber Pulse campaign, now in its second year, is a flagship initiative aimed at embedding a culture of cyber awareness across the UAE. It targets individuals, businesses, and institutions, equipping them with the knowledge to counter evolving digital threats. The programme is part of a broader national effort to enhance cybersecurity, safeguard the public from fraud, and strengthen trust in the country’s digital ecosystem.
The Council emphasized that resilience against cybercrime is a shared responsibility, requiring vigilance from individuals as well as robust institutional safeguards. “Every user must play a role in protecting the UAE’s digital landscape by practicing caution, verifying sources, and following official security guidance,” a Council spokesperson said.
Officials stressed that by understanding and anticipating manipulative tactics, the public can help reduce the success rate of cyberattacks that exploit human behavior. With cyber risks continuing to rise globally, the UAE’s proactive awareness campaigns underscore its commitment to positioning digital safety as a national priority.
