---
title: "The United Arab Emirates is gradually becoming a prime cyberattack target! | Phish Protection"
description: "The United Arab Emirates is gradually becoming a prime cyberattack target!: Hacktivists and cyberattackers are gaining a stronghold over the United Arab."
image: "https://phishprotection.com/og/blog/the-united-arab-emirates-is-gradually-becoming-a-prime-cyberattack-target.png"
canonical: "https://phishprotection.com/blog/the-united-arab-emirates-is-gradually-becoming-a-prime-cyberattack-target/"
---

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![Phish Protection blog post image](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2024/10/phishing-attack-prevention-7728-1.jpg) 

Hacktivists and[cyberattackers](/resources/ransomware-attack-why-organizations-pay-ransom)are gaining a stronghold over the United Arab Emirates as well as other countries in the[Gulf Cooperative Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf%5FCooperation%5FCouncil)(GCC). Threat actors consider this region a prime target because it is the center of trade and commerce, as well as the hub of significant**geopolitical issues**.

As per the[report](https://global.ptsecurity.com/analytics/gulf-countries-as-a-commodity-in-the-market-on-criminal-cyber-services-2023-2024)of a threat research firm based in Moscow, the instances of DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks increased significantly (almost by 70%) in the**GCC region**.

The firm had been studying the data for the last 18 months before they reached this conclusion.

![Phishing attack prevention 7728](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2024/10/phishing-attack-prevention-7728-1.jpg) 

Hacktivists leverage different forums with primarily two main goals- attracting like-minded threat actors and publishing their success to establish their authority. As per Anastasiya Chursina, a threat analyst expert, the intensity of these attacks may increase over time. As per the UAE**government report**, the UAE alone faces as many as[50,000](https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/uae-government-cyber-chief-50k-cyberattacks-daily)cyberattacks on a daily basis. 

As many as_[\_ 150K+ \_](https://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/150kplus-uae-network-devices-apps-exposed-online)_networks and apps are also severely vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Back in July 2024, BlackMeta, the pro-Palestine**hacktivist group**, attacked a[UAE Bank.](https://www.darkreading.com/cyberattacks-data-breaches/pro-palestinian-actor-levels-six-day-ddos-on-uae-bank)The attack lasted for about 100 hours. Similarly, in April, Saudi Arabia was enlisted as one of the prime targets on the radar of the China-linked threat group[Solar Spider.](https://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/solar-spider-spins-up-new-malware-to-entrap-saudi-arabian-banks)

The gradual increase in DoS attacks signifies an emerging trend among threat actors. The ultimate purpose of these hacktivists is to divert attention to specific social, political, and**religious incidents**. Even amateur hacktivists can launch[DDoS attacks](/resources/phishing-attacks-examples), which do not require advanced tools or expert knowledge.

![Cyberattack info](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2024/10/cyberattack-info.jpg) 

### **Why do dissent groups go for cyberattacks?**

More and more dissent organizations and activists are choosing cyberattacks as a means to deliver their stringent message and create a sense of unrest and confusion in the target countries .

Nations like Iran, Israel, China, and Russia are allegedly connected to several state-run[threat groups](https://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/state-backed-attackers-and-commercial-surveillance-vendors-repeatedly-use-the-same-exploits/)that try to creep into target nations’**crucial infrastructure**.

Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE are increasingly focusing on digitization and AI development, at this moment, they are required to shift their focus to[cyber protection](/phishing/latest-malware-jester-stealer-warning-ukraine-cert-ua).

The need of the hour is to develop invincible_**security mechanisms**_to keep threat actors and hacktivists at bay.

Due to the lack of ample security measures, sensitive data of UAE corporates and businesses are available easily on the dark web at a low cost. This makes the Gulf nations extremely vulnerable to[threat attacks](https://www.crowdstrike.com/cybersecurity-101/cyberattacks/most-common-types-of-cyberattacks/)in different forms. Also, hacktivists are sharing access online so that even low-grade hackers can break through and attack the**vital infrastructure**of the UAE. The ulterior motive behind such[malicious behavior](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/malicious-behavior)is to create public awareness around political and social issues.

Cybersecurity experts emphasize the urgent need for robust security setups and mechanisms to make_**critical systems**_, networks, and infrastructure resistant to attacks.

Implementing strong[phishing protection](/), taking appropriate steps to safeguard vital data , and educating people about cyberattacks can further help mitigate the impact of these hacktivist campaigns.

## Topics

[ Cybersecurity ](/tags/cybersecurity/) 

![Brad Slavin](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/authors/brad-slavin.jpg) 

[ Brad Slavin ](/authors/brad-slavin/) 

General Manager

Founder and General Manager of DuoCircle. Product strategy and commercial lead across DuoCircle's 2,000+ customer base.

[LinkedIn Profile →](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradslavin) 

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