UAE Cyber Security Council Warns of Rising Breaches Linked to Public Wi‑Fi
The UAE’s Cyber Security Council (CSC) has issued a clear warning about the escalating dangers tied to using open public Wi-Fi networks. In a detailed report drawn from recent updates by the state news agency WAM, the CSC disclosed that it has recorded more than 12,000 breaches involving such connections since the start of the year. This figure accounts for roughly 35 percent of all cyberattacks reported in the UAE this year, emphasizing how unsecured networks leave users vulnerable to a spectrum of malicious activities, including credential theft, banking data compromise, and exposure of personal information. The council stressed the importance of exercising caution when connecting to free or untrusted Wi‑Fi, especially in environments like cafes, airports, and shopping centers. To mitigate risks, it urged the adoption of safety measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), dependable security tools, and the use of reputable virtual private network (VPN) applications. Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, who heads cyber security for the UAE government at the CSC, reiterated that under the directives of the country’s leaders, the council remains committed to cultivating a secure cyber landscape, enhancing trust in the digital ecosystem, and elevating public awareness of safe digital practices. In parallel, the CSC outlined a straightforward three-step framework designed to empower users to stay protected online. The council’s Cyber Pulse awareness campaign has made a return this year as its second edition, aligning with broader national initiatives aimed at strengthening cyber resilience and promoting sound digital hygiene across both institutions and individuals.
Understanding the Threat Landscape: Open Wi‑Fi in the UAE
Open public Wi‑Fi networks, by their very design, prioritize convenience and broad accessibility over strict security measures. This type of connectivity is widely available in public venues such as cafes, airports, hotels, shopping centers, and street-side hotspots, and it often lacks robust authentication, encryption, or constant auditing. In practice, this creates an attractive opportunity for cyber adversaries who are seeking to intercept data, seize login credentials, or insert illicit content into users’ browsing sessions. The CSC’s finding—more than 12,000 breaches linked to these networks since January—highlights the magnitude of risk that ordinary consumers and professionals face when they connect to untrusted networks while on the move. The fact that these incidents constitute about one-third of all reported cyberattacks in the UAE this year signals a systemic vulnerability rather than the occurrence of isolated events. It underscores the need for heightened vigilance in everyday online activity and reveals the scale at which attackers target public connectivity points.
The kinds of data at risk are varied and consequential. Passwords and login information, when transmitted over unsecured networks, can be intercepted by attackers who have the right tools or are positioned to monitor traffic. Banking details, payment credentials, and private information tied to social media, email, and work accounts may be exposed, leading to potential financial loss, identity theft, social engineering, or unauthorized access to corporate networks. The CSC notes that the risks extend beyond immediate theft; they include longer-term exposure to targeted phishing campaigns, credential stuffing attempts, and the dissemination of malware or spyware that can operate covertly on a user’s device. The vulnerability is amplified in high-traffic public hubs where many people connect in rapid succession, often with outdated devices or inconsistent security settings. Taken together, these factors illustrate why open Wi‑Fi is a critical vector for cyber threats and why public education, user empowerment, and technical safeguards are necessary to curb damage.
In this context, the CSC has emphasized that the use of public Wi‑Fi requires deliberate risk management. The predictable pattern of attacks—compromised accounts, fraudulent redirects, and silent data collection—presents a clear call for improved user practices, more resilient device configurations, and stronger network-level protections. The council’s analysis also implies that the problem is not only theoretical; it translates into real-world incidents that can disrupt personal finances, erode trust in digital services, and undermine the integrity of both consumer and enterprise ecosystems. As the UAE advances its digital economy and increasingly depends on cloud services, remote work, and online banking, the importance of secure connectivity grows correspondingly. The CSC’s findings thus serve as a practical warning and a roadmap for action: to minimize risk, individuals must adopt secure habits; the private sector must supply reliable tools and secure access; and the government must lead in setting standards and deploying protective measures across the public sphere.
The Council’s Response: Leadership, Vision, and Strategies
The CSC’s response to these threats is anchored in a clear, leadership-driven agenda designed to fortify the national cyber posture. The council’s leadership frames the issue within a broader mandate to safeguard the UAE’s digital ecosystem, maintain public trust in technology, and foster safer online behavior among citizens and residents. The message, as conveyed by Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, centers on proactive risk mitigation, resilience-building, and continuous education. Under the directives of the country’s leadership, the CSC is investing in initiatives that not only address immediate vulnerabilities but also anticipate future threat environments. The overarching aim is to cultivate a robust and trusted digital infrastructure that can support innovation while minimizing exposure to cybercrime.
A core element of the CSC’s strategy is to advance cyber resilience through practical guidance tailored to everyday users. The council recognizes that while high-level policy and national infrastructure improvements are essential, real-world protection begins with individual users making safer choices when online and connected. To that end, the CSC has articulated a concrete, action-oriented framework—centered on three pivotal steps—that is intended to be accessible and easy to implement across diverse demographics and Technological proficiency levels. This approach reflects the council’s emphasis on translating policy into usable, measurable actions that yield tangible security benefits for households, small businesses, and public institutions alike.
In addition to direct consumer guidance, the CSC is pursuing educational campaigns and awareness initiatives designed to embed cyber hygiene into daily routines. The Cyber Pulse awareness campaign, which has returned for its second edition, exemplifies this effort. By leveraging social media and other digital channels, the campaign seeks to sustain public engagement on cyber safety topics, extend reach to a broad audience, and reinforce critical practices that can reduce vulnerability. The initiative aligns with broader national programs aimed at strengthening cyber resilience across both public and private sectors, ensuring that institutions and individuals share a common understanding of risk and a common language for mitigating it. This multi-pronged strategy—combining leadership directives, practical guidance, and wide-reaching awareness campaigns—reflects a holistic vision for securing the UAE’s digital environment amid a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Three-step Framework for User Protection
In a move to translate awareness into action, the CSC outlined three essential recommendations designed to protect users when they engage with public Wi‑Fi networks. The first recommendation emphasizes leveraging a trusted VPN to encrypt digital connections. A VPN creates a secure tunnel for online traffic, making it significantly harder for adversaries to intercept data or monitor activities on public networks. By encrypting data in transit and masking IP addresses, VPNs reduce the likelihood that sensitive information such as login credentials or financial data could be captured by attackers who exploit unsecured networks. The CSC’s emphasis on VPNs reflects a recognition that strong, reputable VPN solutions can provide a practical layer of defense for everyday users who require connectivity while traveling or working remotely.
The second recommendation centers on enabling “safe browsing” features within web browsers. Safe browsing typically involves built-in protections that warn users about dangerous sites, block known malware or phishing pages, and enforce stricter security policies for downloads and content rendering. When users enable these features, their browsing experience gains an extra layer of interception against malicious redirects and deceptive pages that are frequently used to harvest credentials or disseminate malware. This guidance underscores the importance of enabling default protections in widely used browsers, as well as keeping browser software up to date to benefit from the latest security indicators and anti-phishing technologies.
The third recommendation advises against logging into sensitive accounts—such as banking or personal email—over public Wi‑Fi networks. This warning reflects a practical understanding of risk: public networks increase the chance that session tokens, passwords, and authentication cookies could be captured, misused, or manipulated by attackers. By avoiding access to high-stakes accounts on unsecured networks, users reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access, credential compromise, or subsequent account takeovers. The CSC emphasizes that this simple behavioral adjustment can substantially lower risk, especially for individuals who must stay connected while on the move.
In addition to these three core steps, the CSC acknowledges the wider spectrum of cyber threats associated with insecure networks. The council highlights that such networks can facilitate a range of cyber threats—from man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks and unlawful redirections to fake sites that masquerade as legitimate services, as well as the covert installation of spyware or malware without user awareness. By drawing attention to these threat modalities, the CSC aims to reinforce the rationale behind its recommended precautions and encourage users to adopt a more cautious, security-conscious approach to public connectivity.
Threat Vectors Enabled by Unsecured Networks
Unsecured Wi‑Fi networks can act as a launchpad for diverse cyber threats, exploiting the gap between convenience and security. One prominent risk is the possibility of man-in-the-middle attacks, where attackers position themselves between a user and the service they are trying to access. In such scenarios, cybercriminals can intercept data being transmitted, alter information in transit, or capture login credentials without the user realizing that anything is amiss. This type of attack relies on a compromised or unsafeguarded network channel and can be especially insidious when combined with phishing or social engineering that appears to come from familiar services.
Redirection to fake or fraudulent sites is another common tactic leveraged on unsecured networks. Users may be directed to counterfeit login portals or look-alike pages that harvest usernames, passwords, or payment details. These phishing-style pages can be remarkably convincing, particularly when the attacker previously intercepts or observes a user’s legitimate session. The risk is compounded by the fact that many people reuse passwords across multiple services; a compromised credential can unlock access to additional accounts, leading to a cascade of security incidents.
Spyware and malware installations represent a further category of threats facilitated by open networks. When devices connect to insecure Wi‑Fi, malicious actors can exploit vulnerabilities to install hidden software that exfiltrates data, tracks activity, or provides persistent access to the infected device. Such malware may operate covertly, often eluding immediate detection, and can enable long-term surveillance or control over a user’s digital footprint. The cumulative impact of these vectors can be severe, affecting personal privacy, financial security, and the integrity of corporate networks if an individual’s device is subsequently used within a business environment.
Beyond the immediate data‑theft risks, insecure networks contribute to broader security issues, including increased susceptibility to credential stuffing, session hijacking, and lateral movement into organizational systems via compromised endpoints. The CSC’s emphasis on these threat modalities helps to illustrate why the protection of public Wi‑Fi users is a critical component of national cyber resilience. By understanding the pathways attackers use to exploit open networks, individuals and organizations can implement layered defenses and adopt safer behaviors that reduce the probability and impact of cyber incidents.
Cyber Pulse Campaign and National Initiatives
The Cyber Pulse awareness campaign constitutes a central pillar of the CSC’s public education efforts. This campaign, now returning for its second edition, serves as a dynamic channel through which cyber safety messaging can reach a broad audience across social media and other digital platforms. The campaign’s reintroduction underscores a sustained commitment to digital hygiene and cyber risk literacy, recognizing that awareness is a prerequisite for behavioral change. By engaging with citizens and residents through accessible, repeating messaging, the CSC aims to normalize best practices in online safety and make security-conscious actions a routine part of daily life.
In addition to the Cyber Pulse initiative, the CSC’s work aligns with a broader set of national measures designed to bolster cyber resilience across both institutions and individuals. The council’s efforts are part of a coordinated national strategy to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of critical sectors, promote safer digital practices among the public, and build trust in the UAE’s digital economy. These initiatives likely involve collaboration with government agencies, industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and private sector partners to create a cohesive framework for cyber protection. The overarching objective is to foster a culture of cyber resilience that can withstand evolving threats and safeguard the country’s digital infrastructure as it expands and diversifies.
The inclusion of the Cyber Pulse campaign in a wider portfolio of national initiatives further signals an emphasis on ongoing education, practical guidance, and measurable outcomes. Campaigns of this nature are valued for their ability to translate complex cybersecurity concepts into actionable steps for everyday users, helping individuals recognize risk indicators, avoid common pitfalls, and respond effectively when faced with potential security incidents. The second edition’s continuation also reflects a desire to build momentum, track progress, and refine messaging to address emerging threats and technologies, ensuring that cyber hygiene remains a living, active component of the UAE’s security ecosystem.
Practical Implications for Consumers and Institutions
For consumers, the CSC’s warning translates into tangible precautions that can be integrated into daily routines when engaging with public Wi‑Fi. The recommendations—employing a trusted VPN, enabling safe browsing features, and refraining from logging into sensitive accounts on public networks—offer clear, implementable actions that reduce exposure to cyber threats. In practical terms, this means prioritizing the use of private, secure connections when handling sensitive information, verifying network authenticity, and maintaining vigilant internet usage habits. It also means adopting a security-minded mindset when using public spaces with Wi‑Fi access and leaning on additional protective measures such as MFA for services that support it.
For institutions, including businesses, educational bodies, and government agencies, the rising incidence of Wi‑Fi–related breaches emphasizes the need for layered defenses. Organizations should consider incorporating robust network segmentation, endpoint protection, and user education into their cybersecurity playbooks. They may also explore measures such as enforcing VPN usage for remote workers, enforcing MFA for critical systems, and providing employees with guidelines for safe mobile connectivity. Additionally, institutions can support public safety by sharing best practices through official channels, facilitating training programs, and collaborating with the CSC to disseminate updated guidance, which helps ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach to cyber risk management.
Public venues that offer Wi‑Fi—cafes, airports, hotels, and shopping centers—also bear a responsibility to improve the security of the networks they provide. While the CSC focuses on user behavior and higher‑level safeguards, business operators can contribute by implementing network monitoring, secure authentication protocols, and client isolation where appropriate. Transparency about network security practices, along with clear notices about the risks of public Wi‑Fi, can empower visitors to make safer choices. The cumulative effect of these measures—from individual behavior to organizational controls—enhances the overall resilience of the digital ecosystem in public spaces that rely on open connectivity.
Looking Ahead: Building Cyber Resilience and Trust in the UAE
The UAE’s emphasis on cyber resilience and digital hygiene reflects a strategic approach to securing the nation’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. By highlighting the scale of open Wi‑Fi breaches and translating that awareness into concrete actions, the CSC signals a commitment to reducing risk through a combination of user empowerment, technological safeguards, and proactive public education. The leadership’s direction—focusing on secure cyber environments, trust in the digital ecosystem, and heightened awareness—suggests that the country aims to stay ahead of threats while continuing to cultivate an environment conducive to innovation, e‑government services, and a thriving digital economy.
In practical terms, this means ongoing investments in cyber defense infrastructure, continued refinement of public awareness campaigns, and the promotion of best practices that enable safer online experiences for everyone. The three-step framework offers a simple yet effective entry point for individuals to strengthen their personal cybersecurity posture, while the Cyber Pulse initiative provides the broader educational foundation necessary to sustain safe digital behavior over time. As technological adoption accelerates, including activities such as mobile payment adoption, remote work, and cloud‑based collaboration, the need for reliable, accessible cybersecurity guidance becomes even more critical. The CSC’s comprehensive approach—encompassing policy leadership, practical user guidance, and broad public outreach—seeks to protect citizens and the digital economy from the increasing volume and sophistication of cyber threats that target unsecured networks.
Conclusion
In summary, the UAE Cyber Security Council has issued a firm warning about the escalating risks associated with open public Wi‑Fi networks, underscoring that more than 12,000 breaches have been recorded since the start of the year and that these incidents constitute about 35 percent of all cyberattacks in the country this year. The council emphasizes caution when connecting to free or untrusted Wi‑Fi, particularly in high‑traffic public venues like cafes, airports, and shopping centers. To mitigate risk, the CSC advocates three core measures: using a trusted VPN to encrypt connections, enabling safe browsing features in web browsers, and avoiding login to sensitive accounts over public networks. The warning also draws attention to potential threats such as man-in-the-middle attacks, redirections to fake sites, and the stealthy installation of spyware or malware, highlighting the broad spectrum of risk associated with unsecured networks. The CSC’s efforts are further reinforced by the Cyber Pulse awareness campaign, now in its second edition, and by broader national initiatives aimed at enhancing cyber resilience and digital hygiene across institutions and individuals. Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti’s remarks underscore the country’s leadership-driven drive to create a secure cyber environment and to bolster trust in the UAE’s digital ecosystem. Together, these measures reflect a holistic strategy to reduce exposure to cyber threats, improve public awareness, and strengthen the resilience of both individuals and organizations as the UAE continues to expand its digital footprint.