UAE Residents Warned: Posting High-Resolution Photos on Social Media Poses Security Risks

Maryam Pervez -

UAE residents are being cautioned against sharing high-resolution images online, as cybercriminals can exploit them for identity theft, SIM swapping, and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.

How Hackers Exploit High-Res Images

  • Facial recognition & fingerprint identification: Scammers can extract biometric data to create fake digital identities for fraudulent activities.
  • Deepfakes & identity fraud: High-quality images can be used to forge identities, open fake accounts, or execute financial scams.
  • Cybercriminals target Fridays: Attacks spike on weekends when security operations are less active.

More Immediate Threats

According to experts, the bigger risks stem from:

  • SIM Swapping: Hackers trick mobile carriers into transferring a victim’s phone number to a new SIM, gaining access to sensitive accounts.
  • MITM Attacks: Cybercriminals intercept communications, impersonate individuals, and steal credentials or financial data.

How to Stay Safe

  • Limit personal data sharing online
  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for banking and critical accounts
  • Use AI-driven security tools to detect digital identity manipulation
  • Monitor transactions & login alerts regularly

While deepfakes and voice cloning pose growing concerns, phishing, SIM swaps, and MITM attacks remain the most immediate threats. Cybersecurity experts urge vigilance, especially on social media, where high-resolution images can make users vulnerable to cybercrimes.

News Source: Khaleej Times