UAE Cyber Security Council warns of dangers of illegal streaming and downloads

UAE’s Cyber Security Council (CSC) has emphasised that confronting cyber risks begins at an individual level and urged users to always use trusted internet platforms to watch movies or listen to music to safeguard their devices and personal data.

This was part of the message the council passed on to the UAE residents and visitors as part of their weekly awareness campaign, ‘Cyber Pulse’, under the theme ‘Stream Safe … Download Smart’.

The Council said individuals must recognise that engaging in practices such as accessing untrusted websites or downloading movies and music from unreliable sources, may result in data compromise, privacy violations, or even device infection with malicious software or ransomware that steals users’ data. Such situations may escalate into full-scale fraud.

Stay safe while streaming online

The campaign highlighted the magnitude of these risks, noting that piracy websites recorded 216 billion visits by the end of 2024 and more than 90 per cent of music files were exchanged through illegal networks. It highlighted that nearly 70 per cent of users are unaware that free streaming sites may serve as gateways to malware.

The campaign said more than one million devices were compromised after visiting illegal streaming websites.

The Council called for adherence to technical and behavioural practices that prevent exposure to malware, hacking, and privacy violations. It warned that fraudsters have become increasingly sophisticated, creating messages that appear credible. They employ advanced techniques, which requires the user to remain constantly vigilant before using any website or application.

CSC emphasised that ‘free’ websites do not necessarily mean trustworthy or secure. Some websites offer free content to exploit or sell users’ personal data.

Cyber dos and don’ts

The Cyber Pulse campaign presented a set of guidelines to help users avoid falling victim to malware, viruses, and other risks while browsing free websites or during the downloading or streaming of movies and music. These include…

• Avoiding clicks on untrusted links
• Verifying information contained in messages or sponsored advertisements
• Using official and trusted platforms for streaming or downloading content
• Enabling security software to remove threats and protect against viruses

The Council emphasised that cyber safety has become a major challenge and individual efforts complement government measures to address digital challenges.

Now in its second year, ‘Cyber Pulse’ is launched by the Cyber Security Council across social media platforms. This initiative aligns with the nation’s vision to enhance confidence in the digital ecosystem and foster a strong cybersecurity culture among families and individuals.