The Cyber Security Council warns against downloading and using fake applications
Abu Dhabi, March 14 / WAM / The UAE Government Cyber Security Council warned against fake applications and the dangers of downloading them on users’ devices, stressing that these applications may be a gateway to the theft of data and information, fraud or electronic blackmail.
The Council stressed that avoiding downloading and using such applications helps individuals and users reduce risks, limit fraudsters’ access to user data, and protect personal data.
The Council explained that fake applications have emerged as one of the most dangerous electronic fraud tools that threaten individuals and institutions alike, noting that the danger of applications is not limited to stealing data only, but extends beyond that to luring victims and blackmailing them later after obtaining sensitive information, images, or financial data, taking advantage of the trust of the user who downloads these applications without sufficient verification.
The Council pointed out that fake applications have become more professional than ever before, as fraudsters work to imitate the interfaces of the original applications with high accuracy, while using names and logos that are almost identical to the real applications.
It is estimated that more than 85% of fake applications impersonate well-known applications, making their detection a real challenge even for experienced users.
The Cyber Security Council stated in a statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that during the year 2025, about 73% of organizations around the world were exposed to some form of electronic fraud through fake applications and other malicious digital tools, which reflects the widening scope of the phenomenon and its direct impact on the digital economy. In just one year, more than 200 fake applications were monitored and were downloaded more than 40 million times through the Google Play Store, a number that highlights the scale of spread and the speed of these applications reaching millions of devices around the world before they are discovered and removed.
The Council pointed to a set of procedures that help distinguish between a real application and a fake, which many users ignore, the first of which is paying attention to the name of the developer, as original applications are usually issued by well-known companies or verified developers, while fake applications carry unknown developer names or are written in a form close to the original name with a slight difference. The logo also constitutes an important piece of evidence, as it may appear identical at first glance, but upon closer inspection, differences in colors, accuracy, or method of display appear.
The Council explained that reviews and ratings represent another tool for detecting fake applications, which often contain exaggerated ratings, repeated comments with similar wording, or, conversely, multiple complaints about malfunctions and unjustified permission requests.
The Council noted that the required permissions are a dangerous indicator. It is not logical for a simple application to request access to photos, camera, geographic location, or contacts without a clear reason. Likewise, the history of updates reveals the extent of the professionalism of the developer, as original applications receive periodic updates to address gaps and improve performance, while fake applications lack a regular update record or have a very recent launch date without a previous record.
The Council stressed that the greatest danger lies in the fact that some fake applications not only steal data, but also use the stolen information to blackmail the victim financially or threaten to publish personal content. In this context, the weekly awareness campaign of the Cyber Pulse Initiative stressed the need to adhere to several decisive steps; The first is not to pay any sums of money under any circumstances, because payment does not guarantee that the blackmail will stop, but rather may encourage the blackmailer to ask for more. It is also advised not to send any additional information, pictures, or documents, because that gives the fraudster additional pressure tools.
It is worth noting that the Cyber Pulse awareness campaign launched by the Cyber Security Council comes within the framework of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to build a secure cyberspace that protects users from growing digital risks and keeps pace with rapid technical developments within a comprehensive national vision to enhance confidence in the country’s digital system.
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