Experts advise using VPNs, multi-factor authentication, and exercising caution when making sensitive transactions, as over 12,000 cyber breaches in the UAE have been linked to free public Wi-Fi.

The use of unprotected free public Wi-Fi networks poses significant risks, according to a warning from the UAE Cybersecurity Council. According to the council, since the year began, more than 12,000 breaches have been reported via these networks alone.

About 35% of all cyberattacks recorded in the United Arab Emirates, according to the council, included hackers obtaining personal information, banking credentials, and passwords. The public has been warned to utilize trustworthy security tools, activate multi-factor authentication, and refrain from sensitive transactions when using public Wi-Fi.

According to Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, these networks are frequently insufficiently safe and provide opportunities for fraud and hacking, even if they may seem alluring to users because of their speed and free access.

It's crucial to exercise caution when using public Wi-Fi to safeguard your data. Always encrypt your connection with a reliable VPN program, turn on "Safe Browsing" to prevent dubious websites, and refrain from using open networks to access private services like personal emails or bank accounts.