The UAE Government Cybersecurity Council has urged the public to adopt safer online habits, warning that personal digital footprints can expose individuals to cyberattacks, identity theft and privacy breaches as global cyber threats continue to grow.
The Council said every online activity, including logging into accounts, posting on social media, uploading photos and leaving comments, creates a digital footprint that can be exploited by cybercriminals if users fail to protect their personal information.
Officials noted that more than 1.4 billion accounts are compromised worldwide each month, underscoring the increasing risks associated with personal data collected through digital platforms, applications and connected devices.
The Council identified two types of digital footprints. Active digital footprints consist of information users deliberately share online, such as posts, photos and comments, while passive digital footprints refer to data collected automatically through online activity, often without users’ knowledge.
According to the Council, inadequate protection of digital footprints can lead to account takeovers, identity theft, phishing attacks, unauthorised access to personal information and the misuse of stolen data. It also warned that untrusted applications may unlawfully collect sensitive information or access a device’s camera and microphone without users being aware.
To reduce these risks, the Council advised the public to download applications only from official app stores, carefully review application permissions before granting access, enable two-factor authentication for online accounts and avoid accepting requests from unknown individuals on social media.
Users were also encouraged to review privacy settings regularly, use strong and unique passwords, keep software updated and avoid sharing sensitive personal information online.
The Council said protecting digital privacy begins with individual awareness and responsible online behaviour, adding that the UAE remains committed to strengthening cybersecurity, promoting digital awareness and building a secure digital environment that keeps pace with technological advances.
