UAE Cybersecurity Council warns of virtual meeting scams

Authorities urge stronger passwords, waiting rooms, and stricter access checks

Last updated: September 20, 2025 | 12:24

2 MIN READ

UAE Cybersecurity Council warns of virtual meeting scams

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cybersecurity Council has warned of scammers infiltrating virtual meetings due to weak security measures, cautioning that sensitive data exchanged during such sessions could be stolen.

The Council stressed: “Every unprotected link is an open invitation for fraudsters to infiltrate your virtual meeting and steal sensitive files and data without being noticed.”

It urged organisations to secure meetings by activating waiting rooms, enabling password protection, verifying participant names before granting access, and approving entries manually.

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The warning highlighted that private meetings can be compromised through public links, giving fraudsters the chance to listen in and record conversations. It advised sharing links carefully and using strong safeguards for confidential sessions.

The Council also noted that reusing meeting links allows unauthorised entry, stressing the need for new links and passwords each time.

Breach attempts on the rise

The Council said such breaches became common during the digital shift triggered by COVID-19 but declined as awareness improved. However, hacking attempts targeting both public- and private-sector meetings still occur, often due to shared invites or repeated meeting IDs.

It warned that the impact of a breach depends on the type of meeting, its importance, and the nature of shared files.

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Preventive measures

The Council cautioned that incorrect email addresses or compromised inboxes could send invites to unintended recipients. Risks escalate if invites grant “host” or “moderator” privileges, allowing intruders to control sessions.

It advised reviewing participant lists carefully and pre-setting permissions to limit screen sharing, microphones, and cameras.

Pranksters, it said, often use brute-force tools with weak or absent passwords, underscoring the importance of waiting rooms and strong credentials.

Security recommendations

The Council urged organisers to:

Always generate random meeting IDs.
Use strong, unique passwords.
Activate waiting rooms for private meetings.
Restrict access to verified accounts for official sessions.

It also highlighted risks of unverified apps, stressing that some may record calls or activate cameras. Users should download apps only from official stores, enable two-factor authentication, and review permissions closely.

Abdulla RasheedEditor - Abu Dhabi

Abdullah Rashid Al Hammadi  is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in both Arabic and English media. He currently serves as the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief fo Gulf News. Al Hammadi began his career in 1980 with Al Ittihad newspaper, where he rose through the ranks to hold key editorial positions, including Head of International News, Director of the Research Center, and Acting Managing Editor. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, D.C., he reported for Alittihad  and became a member of the National Press Club. From 2000 to 2008, he wrote the widely read Dababees column, known for its critical take on social issues. Throughout his career, Al Hammadi has conducted high-profile interviews with prominent leaders including UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and key Arab figures such as the late Yasser Arafat and former presidents of Yemen and Egypt. He has reported on major historical events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the liberation of Kuwait, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and the wider Arab world.