UAE authority warns against cyber frauds, suggests 5 AI-powered fraud detection techniques

The UAE Cyber Security Council has warned against AI-based fraud and called for five methods to detect it.

These include pausing and assessing the situation, avoiding clicking on links or replying to messages, reviewing details, looking out for spelling or linguistic errors, verifying information through reliable, official secondary channels, activating two-factor authentication, which prevents more than 90% of fraudulent attempts, and activating antivirus programs to remove threats and protect devices.

Via its official social media account, the Council stressed the need to remain vigilant against fraudulent attempts using artificial intelligence. It called for those five steps to be taken in order to identify the type of threat, activate authentication and enhance digital security.

It explained that the decision is up to the user and warned against the AI techniques used by fraudsters to mislead and deceive. These techniques aim to gain trust quickly and push individuals to make unsafe decisions, such as transferring money or sharing sensitive information. This calls for scrutiny, questioning and protection of personal data.

To ensure data protection, the council recommended taking a number of steps. These included reading consent terms, paying attention to warning signs such as excessive data collection, adjusting privacy settings by restricting permissions and disabling unnecessary tracking, avoiding logging in via social media and using email accounts instead, exercising caution when using free services, checking what data is being collected before registering, and regularly reviewing and deleting data to maintain control over what is stored. The council emphasised the importance of vigilance, awareness and protection.