“Free streaming” sites are a gateway to malicious programs that target devices and personal data

The UAE Government Cyber ​​Security Council warned of three unexpected tricks to steal data, which included free streaming sites, untrusted charging ports, in addition to malicious ransomware, stressing that free streaming sites may be an entry point for malicious programs that target devices and personal data.

He pointed out that in a rapidly changing and developing world, our smart systems need to strengthen their defenses to enhance digital security, by raising the level of awareness of cybersecurity among all segments of society to ensure the protection of users’ privacy and safety in light of the growing digital transformation.

In detail, the UAE Government Cyber ​​Security Council has intensified its awareness campaigns aimed at enhancing community awareness of safe practices in the digital space and providing guidance on how to confront various cyber threats, indicating the necessity of following six guidelines that help reduce cyber risks and protect data in the digital world, which include updating systems and applications regularly, reducing the sharing of personal information, relying on secure communication networks, using strong passwords, activating two-step verification, periodically backing up data, and using reliable protection and anti-virus programs.

Free streaming sites

The Council explained “on its official accounts on social media platforms” that untrusted sites for streaming and downloading are a major gateway to malware and data theft, which necessitates choosing reliable and official sites for watching movies and listening to music to protect the user’s digital identity, noting that 70% of users do not realize that free streaming sites may be a gateway to malicious programs that target devices and personal data.

He pointed out that more than 90% of music files exchanged over illegal networks are considered illegal, which increases the possibility of exposure to electronic hacking, pointing out that the number of visits to piracy sites reached 216 billion visits by the end of 2024, which reflects the widespread spread of these platforms among users, and this resulted in the hacking of about a million computers due to visiting illegal streaming sites.

He stressed the importance of choosing reliable and official sites for watching movies and listening to music, stressing that adherence to approved platforms contributes to protecting digital identity and reducing the risks of data theft and exposure to malware.

Unreliable charging ports

The UAE Government Cybersecurity Council also warned of the increasing risks associated with the use of untrusted public charging ports, which may be equipped with malicious software or hidden systems capable of accessing personal data through what is known as “malicious charging attacks” through media or image transfer protocols that are automatically activated when connecting devices. It pointed out that “data theft via charging” is an electronic attack carried out by fraudsters to penetrate charging ports, and has caused the personal data of 79% of travelers to be exposed to danger without their knowledge when They charge their devices from unsafe outlets in public places, in addition to 68% of companies being exposed to attacks originating from untrusted charging ports, causing their data and digital infrastructure to be hacked.

He stressed that ignoring protection measures and using unsafe charging ports may lead to the theft of data and passwords or installation of malicious software on phones without the user’s knowledge, noting that there are a number of warning signs that may indicate that devices are exposed to attacks of this type, including: rapid battery drain, slow performance of applications, repeated system crashes, in addition to the appearance of unfamiliar symbols or messages on the device.

The Council identified a number of preventive measures, including the necessity of taking a personal charger while traveling, avoiding using public charging outlets as much as possible, rejecting any requests to transfer data during the charging process, in addition to activating two-step verification, using biometric entry technologies such as fingerprint or facial recognition, and reviewing the permissions requested by applications, while ensuring that no unnecessary permissions are granted to access photos, messages, or contacts.

Ransomware

The Council also pointed out that hacking tools have become easier and less expensive today, allowing attackers to exploit the heavy reliance on digital services to carry out various types of cyber attacks, the most prominent of which is malicious ransomware, which works to encrypt data without the user’s knowledge, and is spread through suspicious links and websites, stressing that a single click on an untrusted link may lead to devices being infected with malicious software that encrypts files and prevents the user from accessing his data permanently, and then the attackers blackmail the victims emotionally and psychologically via messages. Requesting payment of sums of money to restore files, known as “pay to recover your data”.

The Council explained that malicious ransomware penetrates victims’ devices through a number of tricks, which are “a message or link arrives from an unknown person, and the content of the link is a file containing malicious software,” in addition to the sender enticing the victim to download the file by deceiving him that it is an important or personal file, in addition to “the user downloading the file to his computer or smartphone,” in addition to the virus encrypting important data on the device or encrypting the entire device, so that the user cannot access his data, while the criminal asks the victim for a financial sum “ransom.” In exchange for decrypting the data and returning it to normal.

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Cybersecurity standards

The UAE Government’s Cybersecurity Council stressed the importance of complying with national cybersecurity policies and standards, establishing a culture of cybersecurity, and enhancing awareness of the importance of protecting data and information, as a shared national responsibility that contributes to preserving the nation’s digital gains, and supporting its vision to be a global model in cybersecurity and technological innovation, stressing that cybersecurity today is no longer a choice, but rather has become a national duty and a collective responsibility shared by all sectors and individuals so that the country’s digital space remains the safest and most stable.

“Cybersecurity”:

• 70% of users do not realize that free streaming sites may be a gateway to malware.

• 90% of music files exchanged over illegal networks are illegal.

• 216 billion visits to piracy websites by the end of 2024.