The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued a stark warning to residents about the severe cybersecurity risks associated with accessing unverified streaming websites and pirated content platforms. According to the Council’s latest advisory, cybercriminals have developed increasingly sophisticated methods to compromise personal data through seemingly credible free streaming services.
Alarming statistics reveal that piracy websites accumulated 216 billion visits by the end of 2024, with over 90% of music files exchanged through illegal networks. Particularly concerning is the finding that 70% of users remain unaware that free streaming sites frequently serve as gateways for malware infiltration. The Council reported approximately one million computers were compromised after users visited illegal streaming websites.
The Council emphasized that fraudsters employ advanced techniques to create deceptive messages and advertisements that appear legitimate. Many websites offering free content simultaneously exploit users’ personal data for commercial gain or malicious purposes. The advisory specifically noted that ‘free’ access often comes at the hidden cost of data security and privacy protection.
To combat these threats, the Cybersecurity Council recommends several protective measures: avoiding clicks on untrusted links, verifying information in messages and sponsored advertisements, using exclusively official and trusted platforms for content streaming, and maintaining updated security software capable of detecting and removing threats. These individual precautions form a crucial layer of defense that complements government efforts to address evolving digital challenges in an era of rapid technological advancement.
The Council stressed that confronting cyber risks begins at the individual level through enhanced awareness and proactive security practices. Engaging with untrusted websites or downloading content from unreliable sources may result in data compromise, privacy violations, or device infection with malicious software including ransomware that can escalate into full-scale fraud.