ABU DHABI – The UAE Cyber Security Council has revealed that nearly 98% of cyberattacks are driven by human error, with criminals increasingly relying on social engineering tactics that manipulate trust, emotions, and urgency rather than exploiting technical flaws.
The warning was issued during the sixth week of the Council’s Cyber Pulse initiative, a year-long awareness program designed to strengthen digital literacy and resilience across individuals and institutions.
According to the Council, attackers frequently impersonate officials, trusted organizations, or even friends to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or performing risky actions. Common methods include:
- Fake reward schemes and phishing links.
- Urgent messages demanding immediate action.
- Impersonation of credible entities.
- Overloading victims with conflicting information to create confusion.
Rather than relying solely on malware, fraudsters increasingly use direct communication to manipulate human behavior through empathy, fear, or urgency. Their goal is often to steal banking credentials, passwords, or personal information.
The Council urged citizens and businesses to verify identities, avoid disclosing personal or financial details, and remain cautious of suspicious messages. It also advised monitoring official alerts and staying updated on best practices to reduce risks.
The Cyber Pulse campaign, now in its second year, is part of the UAE’s broader efforts to strengthen digital trust and national cybersecurity resilience, ensuring safer participation in the country’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.
