Dubai: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month around the world, and in Dubai, the Dubai Police is ensuring residents and visitors are well protected against online threats.
Over the past month, the authorities have been sharing useful and practical advice, encouraging online users to safeguard their devices, authenticate sources and make informed decisions on the internet. The awareness initiative is part of the Ministry of Interior’s ‘Safe UAE Through Your Digital Awareness’ campaign, launched on September 30, in cooperation with Dubai Police and the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC).
Do you want to be better protected online? Here are some of Dubai Police’s tips, posted on the social platform X, that you can follow to be more cyber-aware:
Impersonation: Scammers use AI to mimic voices and images, impersonating people, businesses, or even government agencies to steal money or sensitive information. Stop. Verify. Then act. Confirm who’s contacting you through a trusted source.
- Online interactions during gaming: Online gaming connects players, but not everyone has good intentions. Some may try to gain a child’s trust, move the conversation to a private chat, or ask for personal information or photos. Stay involved. Talk to your child about who they interact with online and remind them to protect their personal information and avoid private chats with strangers.
- Virtual asset scams: Be wary of entities that only accept payments via virtual assets, such as cryptocurrency, stablecoins and NFTs (non-fungible tokens).
- Location sharing: Sharing your location or the places you visit may seem harmless, but over time, those details may reveal your daily routine. Check your location and privacy settings. Avoid sharing your live location or regularly posting details that reveal your movements or your family’s.
- Children’s safety: Kids may hesitate to share a troubling online experience because they fear punishment or losing their devices. This may give someone targeting them more opportunity to continue. Listen first. Stay calm. Put their safety first. Trust and open communication help kids speak up early.
- Sharing pictures of children: Photos of children may reveal more than you realise, from their school and location to their daily routine. They may also be saved, reused, or altered using AI. Before you share, check your privacy settings, avoid revealing personal details, and only share with people you trust.
- Vehicle insurance scam: Verify the name of the insurance company before making any financial transfer, and ensure it is licensed and approved. Confirm that the beneficiary bank account belongs to the insurance company and not to an individual or unrelated entity. Do not rely on advertisements or messages received through social media without verifying the advertiser and official details. Check out other vehicle insurance scam tips by the Dubai Police.
How to report a cybercrime
If you’re able to successfully identify a cybercrime or cyberattack, the fastest way to report it is through the Dubai Police’s eCrime Hub. Learn about it here.
The eCrime Hub’s primary aim is to educate and provide resources to the public for cybercrime awareness. It also features a Report and Recover section that guides individuals on what to do if they fall victim to fraud, and gives them a simple way to report cybercrimes.
Follow these steps to report a cybercrime:
- Visit ecrimehub.gov.ae or ecrime.ae. On the top-right, in the Menu bar, click on the green ‘Report’ button. Alternatively, you can navigate to the ‘Report and Recover’ tab and select ‘Report eCrime’.
- Fill out the form with details of the incident.
- It’s best to ensure you have evidence, such as screenshots of messages, websites, profiles, receipts or emails. You can upload your evidence to help validate your concerns.
- Provide personal details by entering your full name, Emirates ID, and your contact information.
- Submit your report.
The service is available 24/7 and based on the nature of the report, it will be transferred immediately to the relevant department for prompt action.