Few UAE internet users believe they are a cybercrime target, report shows

ABU DHABI // Many internet users believe they are unlikely to be the victims of a cyber attack, despite an increase in crimes, a survey has revealed.

Of the 408 respondents surveyed in the UAE, 44 per cent said they had noted a significant increase in online threats, but only 23 per cent believed they could be targeted.

The survey also found that 86 per cent of the respondents were aware of account hacking, phishing and malware that intercepts passwords.

Online account theft emerged as the most serious concern for internet users, with 61 per cent ranking it as their biggest fear. The second most common concern was malware designed to steal confidential information.

“People are concerned about the safety of their online accounts, although in reality few of them think they will be targeted by a cyber attack,” said Peter Aleshkin, the head of consumer marketing for Kaspersky Lab, a cyber security company.

“That’s where they’re wrong. Attackers often rely on the element of surprise, when users least expect it.”

The survey, conducted by Kaspersky Lab and market research agency B2B International, found that malicious apps created to access webcams were among the most common threat to users