Cybercriminals don’t wait for the dust to settle. As conflict escalates across the Middle East, a parallel threat has emerged targeting ordinary people through their inboxes and social media feeds.

On 4 March, the UAE Ministry of Interior warned the public about fraudulent emails impersonating government emergency services, falsely claiming that residents must complete a mandatory registration form to receive state support or insurance coverage. The emails bore hallmarks of official government communications, making them convincingly deceptive. They are designed to exploit fear, urgency, and the instinct to comply with perceived authority. These messages are already circulating.

Alongside financial scams, verified fact-checkers have identified AI-generated and mislabelled footage circulating online as supposed evidence of attacks in the UAE. This includes video from Bahrain that was picked up by international media outlets and incorrectly broadcast as a Dubai drone strike. Fabricated videos of the Burj Khalifa collapsing, AI-generated missile strike imagery, and decade-old footage repackaged as current events have also circulated widely. In another example, a supposed “before and after” satellite image of Dubai showing smoke rising over the city was mislabelled — the image was actually from Sharjah, the neighbouring emirate. In many cases, the content spread faster than the corrections. Dubai Police have warned that sharing unverified information can carry criminal penalties under UAE law, including fines of no less than AED 200,000. Despite these warnings, the flow of misleading content has not slowed.

KnowBe4 warns patterns observed during previous conflicts and crises, including the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, the public should also expect charity and donation scams exploiting humanitarian concern, phishing emails disguised as embassy or government alerts, and deepfake imagery engineered to provoke fear or spread disinformation.

Dr. Martin Kraemer, CISO Advisor at KnowBe4 said, “Crises are the most reliable recruitment tool bad actors have. When people are frightened and searching for information, they are not necessarily looking for the truth. They are looking for confirmation of what they already fear. That is exactly what scammers and disinformation actors exploit. What we are seeing right now, fake government emergency emails, mislabelled footage, AI-generated imagery, is not random. It is targeted, and it is designed to exploit the gap between what people feel and what they know. The antidote is not panic. It is discipline: pause, question the source, and go directly to official channels before acting on anything. That’s precisely how governments and organizations are educating people to react in stressful situations.”

What the Public Can Do Right Now

KnowBe4 urges residents, travellers, and anyone following events in the region to apply the following principles:

• Treat urgency as a warning sign. Any message that pressures you to act quickly, register now, donate immediately, confirm your details before midnight, is likely designed to stop you thinking clearly.
• Verify before you share. Before forwarding footage or information, check whether it has been verified by a reputable news outlet or official source. Reverse image searches take seconds and can prevent significant harm.
• Go directly to official sources. If you receive communications claiming to be from a government ministry, embassy, or emergency service, navigate directly to their official website rather than clicking any link in the message.
• Question what you see. AI-generated imagery has reached a level of quality where video alone is no longer reliable evidence. Look for verification from multiple credible sources before drawing conclusions.
• Report suspicious communications. In the UAE, suspected scam emails or messages should be reported to the relevant authorities. Do not engage with the sender.

ScreenCheck, a subsidiary of Centena Group and a key player offering end-to-end identification and security solutions in the Middle East, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with global security technologies company, BAS-IP to officially expand its security and identification capabilities into GCC’s residential security market.

The agreement signed during Intersec 2026, aligns with ScreenCheck’s ongoing efforts to establish a robust position in the rapidly growing smart security and digital transformation market. Currently, the market is projected to reach USD 907.12 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 25.7 per cent between 2025 and 2032. This growth is mainly propelled by large-scale urban development, smart infrastructure investments and surging demand for connected security ecosystems in the residential sector.

Olga Shamilova, Chief Executive Officer at BAS-IP, said: “We are delighted to partner with ScreenCheck and support their entry into this new vertical of security systems. During our participation at Intersec 2026, we witnessed increased interest for our Open API, especially for its ability to create seamless, customised ecosystems and ease to integrate into existing building management systems. Our mobile-first application also received significant attention, as its intuitive interface was proven ideal for both complex multi-apartment projects and luxury private villas. With ScreenCheck’s market expertise in the region and their top tier client base, we look forward to providing a safe and secure environment for communities.”

The collaboration with BAS-IP will address the surging demand from developers for connected home and community security solutions across apartments, gated communities and large residential developments in the region by delivering integrated IP-based audio and video intercom systems combined with access control solutions.

Faisal Mohamed, CEO of ScreenCheck, said: “As cities continue to develop and digital infrastructure becomes an inevitable part of everyday lives, security is equally important for people and systems. We are delighted to work with BAS-IP to serve this evolving market.”

“With the Middle East region experiencing one of the fastest-growing property markets across the globe, our collaboration helps to distribute integrated residential security and home automation solutions. We will be delivering cutting-edge biometric identification, RFID solutions, AI-powered surveillance, and next-generation smart access control to homes, critical infrastructure, and technology-driven enterprises. Our goal is to enable safer, more resilient spaces that highlight the capabilities of the modern security landscape,” added Faisal.

ScreenCheck’s partnership with BAS-IP positions the company at the forefront of the region’s ongoing shift, enabling the delivery of intelligent, connected residential security ecosystems that align with the region’s smart city ambitions and evolving urban landscape.

a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announces a new class of screen protection solutions, a strategic partnership, and an all-new wear-and-tear program; advancing its commitment to keeping devices protected and consumers confident. The launch includes seven new screen protectors, a customisation partnership with ScreenSkinz, and a screen protection replacement program designed to give users lasting peace of mind and ensure the products they love stay safe, secure, and in the best shape.

Meet the ScreenForce Titan Lineup: The Ultimate in Full-Screen Protection

Titan SmartShield

Titan SmartShield serves as the premium rigid protector in the lineup, delivering aerospace-grade impact resistance and up to 18x the strength of traditional glass*. Engineered with a 9H surface hardness and rated for up to 6.5 ft / 2 m of drop protection**, Titan SmartShield offers exceptional durability without compromising clarity. An advanced anti-reflective coating preserves vivid colour and brightness in any lighting environment, while the anti-dust adhesive helps push away particles during installation for a flawless finish. The glass is manufactured with up to 60% recycled materials and is fully compatible with fingerprint sensors. A privacy version will also be available. Titan SmartShield launches in February 2026.

Titan LiquidGuard

Titan LiquidGuard is an innovative liquid screen protector that uses Nano-Titan Technology+, a proprietary fusion of a water-based German SiO₂, Graphene, and Nano-Titan Technology, to reinforce device displays at the molecular level, delivering 9H scratch protection without adding bulk. The oleophobic coating creates a smooth, smudge-resistant surface that maintains the device’s original look and touch sensitivity. Applied in minutes and backed by up to a $300 screen repair guarantee, Titan LiquidGuard offers a discreet, no-fuss approach to everyday screen protection. Titan LiquidGuard launches in February 2026.

Titan EcoGuard

Titan EcoGuard is made using advanced polymer materials infused with Nano-Titan Technology, a proprietary structure featuring high-density nano-reinforcement that delivers up to 5.9 ft / 1.8 m of drop protection. These materials are collected from post-consumer sources and certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). Built to flex under pressure instead of cracking, Titan EcoGuard offers industry-leading 7H rated scratch and impact resistance with ultra-thin construction, while an anti-reflective coating preserves the device’s natural look and precision touch response. The flexible, shock-dispersing surface is ideal for curved screens and high-use devices.

The Titan EcoGuard Collection Includes:

Titan EcoGuard Anti-Reflective Screen Protector

•  – The foundational model is designed for full-screen, anti-reflective protection while preserving vibrant colour and crystal-clear clarity – even under direct sunlight. It is made with 97% pre-consumer recycled materials. Includes anti-dust installation adhesive and a tray-based alignment system made with recycled plastics.
• Titan EcoGuard Privacy Filter Screen Protector
• – Incorporates vertical-view privacy filtration to protect sensitive information from side-angle viewing. Ideal for use in public settings, during travel, or for confidential work.
• Titan EcoGuard Red Light Screen Protector
• – Utilises a light-conversion layer that converts harmful blue light into soothing, skin- and eye-friendly red light, supporting everyday wellness for users sensitive to blue light or those who frequently use devices at night. This invisible, colourless protection delivers 2x the red-light exposure vs. industry standards**** while maintaining a natural viewing experience.

All Titan EcoGuard screen protectors arrive in 100% recyclable packaging using FSC-certified paper. Each kit includes a microfiber cloth, dust removal sheet, and eco-friendly alignment tray for precise, frustration-free application. Titan EcoGuard is compatible with ultrasonic fingerprint sensors and engineered for next-generation device displays.

If It’s Broken, Fix It. Quickly, Easily, and Hassle-Free.

Doubling down on its commitment to delivering the highest quality product experience, Belkin introduces a new Wear and Tear replacement program in addition to its established product warranty.  Launching this month, consumers can easily replace screen protection products compromised by everyday use and/or life’s inevitable accidents, directly on Belkin.com.  The new process is straightforward, transparent, and most importantly, hassle-free.

Products will continue to be replaced at no cost, with a flat shipping and handling fee applied.

The program will be available in Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US, for now, with plans to expand to other countries in the future.

Custom Screen Protection with Screen Skinz

Belkin is partnering with Screen Skinz to bring a new level of personalisation to screen protection. Coming soon to Belkin.com, customers will have the ability to create a custom design or choose from a curated collection of pre-made options, which will be etched directly onto their screen protector. The result is protection that is uniquely customised. Utilising Screen Skinz’ patented etching technology, designs are visible only when the phone display is off. When the screen is on, the design disappears to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted viewing experience while delivering trusted durability and peace of mind.