Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Cyber threats tend to rise during times of crisis, as hackers exploit fear and uncertainty, experts told Aletihad. Amid current events and an evolving regional situation, they emphasised that heightened vigilance and digital awareness are more important than ever.
“People are more susceptible to falling into digital traps during these times,” said Mohammed Al Shamsi, Certified Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Trainer and CEO of CyberNet Platform.
Al Shamsi noted that crises often trigger a wave of urgent, misleading links, including messages titled “Breaking News”, “Official Decision”, “Immediate Support”, or “Mandatory Data Update”.
People usually click on such links quickly because they feel pressured. “The goal is to get you to act quickly before you use your logic,” he said, pointing to a tactic known as ‘social engineering’, which targets emotions and behaviour rather than devices themselves.
With public attention naturally fixed on a crisis, Al Shamsi warned that scammers often succeed more easily, while fake and abusive accounts multiply to exploit heightened tension. He added that the response should be immediate and disciplined: ignore suspicious accounts, avoid engagement, report them, and block them.
Al Shamsi also cautioned that even well-meaning sharing can backfire, as unverified information can fuel confusion and fear and, in some cases, lead to legal consequences.
In that sense, he said, personal responsibility today goes beyond protecting passwords; it also includes protecting the wider digital space from rumours and misinformation.
He laid out a clear rulebook for safe online behaviour: “Do not rely on emotion, do not rush, do not share your data easily, and do not share any news before verifying its official source. Do not click before you check. Verify the website address completely, or access the entity through its official app or website. Never enter your data via a link you receive in a random message.”
Cybersecurity is a daily culture and a shared responsibility, Al Shamsi said. “A single, unreliable word can cause more harm than you imagine. With your wisdom, we protect our stability. With your awareness, we preserve the security of our nation."
In the same context, Mohammad Ali Alawadi, CEO of Xenon Intelligence, highlighted how crisis cybersecurity starts at home.
“In times of crisis, a person in a position of responsibility is primarily responsible for their family, relatives, and loved ones.” And protecting one’s circle from online risks starts with selecting and sharing only accurate information sourced from official and reliable platforms and entities, Alawadi said.
He warned that “rumours and misinformation cause excessive anxiety, spread panic, and even lead to cyberattacks”, particularly when criminals exploit fear to trick people into clicking links or handing over data — mistakes they might never make on an ordinary day.
Alawadi added that e-mail security should be treated as a first line of defence, since a breach can quickly cascade into other accounts, including social media and banking.
He then outlined simple, practical steps people can take: “First, avoid using passwords containing personal information like your name and date of birth, as these are easily guessed by hackers. Second, enable two-step verification for your primary digital accounts. Third, treat urgent messages requesting your immediate intervention as suspicious and potentially fraudulent.”
Finally, he urged the public to slow down and check both the sender and the link carefully, even if the message appears familiar. “Someone you know may have a hacked account,” he said. The risk is especially high when people feel pressured to share sensitive codes. Before clicking on any link or following instructions — including providing codes like OTPs for WhatsApp or banking accounts — always pause and verify the source.
