Jordan's National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has issued a warning to citizens regarding potential phishing attempts and fake alerts circulating online. The center emphasized that it will not be sending direct warning messages to Jordanian citizens' phones at this time, urging the public to exercise caution and vigilance.
The NCSC clarified that official announcements, awareness messages, and warnings will be disseminated through official statements released by the Public Security Directorate (PSD) and its media spokesperson. This measure aims to ensure the authenticity of information and prevent public confusion amid increasing cyber threats.
This precautionary step comes in response to ongoing cyberattacks and hacking attempts targeting the Kingdom. Cybercriminals may attempt to impersonate the NCSC or other official entities through text messages or online platforms to spread misinformation and compromise user accounts, the center stated.
The NCSC urged citizens to disregard any suspicious messages or links that falsely claim to be from the center or any other official institution, advising them to treat such communications as potential phishing attempts.
The center also provided several preventative measures to help citizens protect themselves from cyberattacks, hacking, and online fraud. These include avoiding opening links or attachments received via SMS or messaging applications, especially those claiming to offer security updates, prizes, or financial aid. The NCSC stressed that passwords and credit card details should never be shared through messages or phone calls, regardless of how legitimate the contact may seem.
The NCSC reiterated that official security announcements are exclusively released through trusted channels of the Public Security Directorate and official government platforms with the domain (.jo).
Furthermore, the center advised users to download and update applications only from trusted app stores such as Google Play and the App Store.
The NCSC also recommended enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on all social media accounts and banking applications to enhance security.
Finally, the center stressed the importance of regularly backing up important data and storing it offline, away from internet-connected devices.
The National Cyber Security Center concluded its statement by emphasizing that awareness and adherence to these guidelines are fundamental to strengthening national cybersecurity.