UAE warns against clicking on unsecured links, says not every website is what it seems

The UAE’s Cyber Security Council has stressed that not every website is what it seems. It has warned that fraudsters may exploit minor details to create fraudulent sites that deceive users.

The Council has called on everyone to pay close attention to every click they make and to scrutinise the warning signs that protect their data.

The Council explained that the safety of any website can be verified by visiting the official StaySafe website: https://staysafe.csc.gov.ae.

It indicated that there are signs that reveal fraudulent websites, such as misspellings, swapped letters, the absence of HTTPS, unusual domain extension and the absence of a padlock icon. They stressed the importance of not sharing any personal information via an unsecured link.

The Council pointed out that safe browsing begins with understanding the difference between HTTP and HTTPS protocols.

While HTTP transmits data in plain text, making it vulnerable to cybercriminals, HTTPS provides an additional layer of security by creating an encrypted connection between the browser and the server and verifying the website's credibility before exchanging data.

It also explained that internet browsers are key to digital security, but they may expose data to risk in the event of security vulnerabilities or privacy weaknesses, which could lead to information leaks, privacy violations or unauthorised access.

To help keep your data secure while you're browsing, the Cyber Security Council recommends using private browsing mode to limit tracking, installing privacy extensions to enhance security, clearing your cookies periodically, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, making sure that the websites you visit use HTTPS and not clicking on any suspicious links or unknown QR codes.

In addition, it stressed that smart user choices are the key to staying safe online. It also noted that phones contain sensitive data such as Emirates ID cards and financial records, so constant caution while browsing, regular browser updates and clearing the cache are essential.