A new survey by Kaspersky shows that many users in the United Arab Emirates remain vulnerable to online scams despite high confidence in identifying cyber threats.
Among those affected, half (50%) experienced scams via social media platforms, while 43% reported investment or financial fraud attempts, 41% – scam associated with fake delivery or postal messages. Phishing emails remain a significant threat as well, impacting 50% of respondents. These figures point to the increasingly diverse tactics used by cybercriminals to target individuals across multiple channels.
Despite this, confidence levels remain strikingly high: 84% of respondents believe they can recognize a scam, with 39% expressing strong certainty in their ability to avoid falling victim. This overconfidence may contribute to risky online behavior and reduced vigilance.
When it comes to protective measures, respondents demonstrate mixed habits. While 55% report using strong and unique passwords, only 38% consistently check URLs before clicking, and 35% avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities. Notably, fewer than half (39%) use a dedicated security solution, which means a significant amount of people can face negative effects from cyberthreats. Alarmingly, 4% admit they do not use any specific security measures at all.
Regular maintenance of digital security tools also appears inconsistent. Just 37% of respondents update passwords and review security settings on a regular basis – at least once a month or more often. Meanwhile, 44% do so only occasionally, 14% rarely, and 4% never take such actions.
“The survey findings highlight a critical need for increased awareness and stronger adoption of comprehensive cybersecurity practices. While individual habits such as password hygiene and cautious browsing are essential, they should be complemented by reliable security solutions and regular security updates to effectively mitigate modern cyber threats,” – comments Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa at Kaspersky.
