Sending money to family abroad now takes minutes from a phone, on a break at work, on the way home, or from a nearby cafe. That convenience is genuinely useful, but it also means sensitive information bank account details, ID numbers, and transfer history is moving across networks that aren’t always as secure as they look.
UAE Authorities Have Flagged This as a Real Risk
Warnings about public networks here aren’t just general advice anymore. The UAE Cybersecurity Council reported more than 12,000 breaches linked to public Wi-Fi networks since the start of 2025 alone, accounting for a significant share of all cyberattacks recorded in the country over that period. The Council noted that attackers in these cases can intercept data in transit or redirect users to fake sites that closely mimic real banking or exchange platforms.
The UAE’s official news agency WAM carried further detail on the same warning, noting that attackers have in some cases gone as far as recording calls or installing spyware on a device without the user ever noticing, not just intercepting the data being sent.
Why This Matters Specifically for Remittances
Rate checks and transfer confirmations often happen from a phone, on whatever network is available.
Sending a remittance usually means entering sensitive details repeatedly: the recipient’s account number, identity information, and sometimes a scan of a passport or residency document for verification. Doing this over an unsecured public network, at a labour camp Wi-Fi point, a shopping mall, or while traveling, puts that information at real risk regardless of how trustworthy the exchange provider itself is.
Where a VPN Fits In
Among the three main recommendations issued by the UAE Cybersecurity Council was the use of a trusted vpn to encrypt digital connections. The idea is straightforward: rather than relying only on the security of whatever network you happen to be connected to, this encrypts the data between your phone and the internet directly, so it stays protected even if the network itself is insecure or fake.
This doesn’t replace verifying the exchange provider or double-checking the recipient’s details, but it closes a gap that has nothing to do with how trustworthy either side of the transaction is: the way your data travels across the network in between.
A Few Steps for the Next Transfer
- Always verify the network before connecting. Fake hotspots frequently use names that closely resemble a real network in the same location.
- Avoid logging into banking or exchange apps on an unfamiliar public network. This is one of the Council’s core recommendations.
- Turn on two-factor authentication wherever it’s offered. It adds a layer of protection even if a password is compromised.
- Turn on an encrypted VPN connection before completing any transfer. Especially on a network you don’t recognize or fully trust.
- Keep transfer receipts and correspondence. They may be needed later if a dispute or verification comes up.
The Bottom Line
The UAE government’s official platform maintains ongoing guidance on cybersecurity and personal data protection, and it’s a useful reference for anyone who wants to stay current on the latest recommendations. Sending money home is one of the most routine financial activities for residents, which is exactly what makes it a target worth protecting properly. Securing the connection itself takes a moment, and it protects every transfer that follows.