Abu dhabi: The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has highlighted the increasing dangers associated with users’ digital footprints, revealing that over 1.4 billion accounts are compromised globally each month.
According to Emirates News Agency, the council has emphasized that every online interaction, including logins and posts, leaves traces that can be exploited by malicious actors. The CSC categorizes digital footprints into two types: passive footprints, which are collected without user awareness through tracking or data gathering by websites and apps, and active footprints, which are intentionally created by users through activities such as uploading photos, videos, comments, and posts.
The CSC has raised concerns that inadequately secured data can lead to various cyber threats, including privacy breaches, account takeovers, phishing attempts, and identity theft. It also noted that unofficial or untrusted applications pose significant risks, with some having the capability to record calls or access camer
as without users’ knowledge.
The council has advised users to download applications only from official app stores, carefully review app permissions, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious when sharing locations or accepting friend requests. It stressed that digital safety is a shared responsibility, reliant not only on technology but also on individual vigilance.
These warnings are part of the council’s ‘Cyber Pulse’ weekly awareness campaign, with the fifth week dedicated to highlighting the perils of not securing personal digital footprints.