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| CYBER CRIME: A RISING PROBLEM! | | | Dr. Pragya Khanna, Shardha Verma | 12/8/2020 11:12:08 PM |
| During the Corona pandemic period of the lockdown, people around the world have been recklessly indulging in activities supported on the internet, accessing social media websites such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc., in addition to watching movies and other programs/events by subscribing to network channels like Amazon, HotStar, Zee 5, Netflix etc. and also overindulging in online games by installing an assortment of applications. In the whole course many people have a propensity to supply information and/or give permissions to access their personal info readily accessible on their phones, laptops and/or social media accounts in order to use the services provided by the applications. Often, in order to procure apps or access online services, financial information too is shared by the users. Furthermore, in view of the 'stay home, stay safe' government notification, people have become more reliant on a variety of payment gateways to pay their utility bills, premiums, recharge their mobile phones, buy medicines and essential commodities online and indulge in a variety of such online activities that open the doors for spyware and ransom ware attacks. A spyware steals sensitive personal data of the user while, ransom ware takes control over the login and other vital credentials of a person. These attacks may result into huge losses to people not only financially but also otherwise.
It is no surprise that the hackers are introducing new computing viruses in the form of mobile applications relating to COVID-19 updates and other information. They are also designing phishing websites, emails and phishing UPI accounts in the name of COVID-19, which are leading to Cyber frauds.
Cyber attackers create fleeting websites or taking over weak ones to host malicious codes. They entice people to these sites and then drop malicious code on to their digital devices. Click-bait websites that pretend to be official government web pages have also resulted in major cyber frauds and have affected many companies badly. The problem is that the knowledge and awareness around the different forms of cybercrimes is still at its initial stage in India and therefore, it is of primary importance to address the different scenarios that could be adverse.
Other modes of prevalent cyber frauds is making phishing calls or sending phishing emails or SMS messages to bank customers pretending to be bank officials and asking them for sensitive information such as their credit or debit card number, CVV, account number, OTP etc.
One more primary issue that has emerged is surge of fake news or rumours that spread rapidly across the country. On social networks, the reach and effects of information spread occur at such a fast pace and are augmented that distorted, such imprecise or bogus information acquires a great potential to cause real world impacts, within minutes, for millions of users.
According to an international study done by Microsoft more than 50% of India's children get bullied online every year. The child as a result goes into a range of traumas like social isolation, very few friendships, negative attitudes and unawareness, difficulty being accepted in group activities at schools etc. In addition, privacy, hopes and expectations for life and achievements are abridged.
For parents in the digital age, one of the most unvarying concerns is Internet safety. And as school and college classes go online during these unprecedented times of lockdown, children are now spending more time in front of screens than ever before. But it isn't just the parents and teachers who know that, hackers and online predators are also keeping an eye.
The India Child Protection Fund (ICPF) recently claimed that an intensely frightening rise in the demand for child pornography material (or Child Sexual Abuse Material) has been seen ever since the COVID-19 induced lockdown was imposed.
Cyber predators often make their way into chat rooms and video game sessions of kids and pretense as minors, starting innocent exchanges and consequently exhort information from children or ask them for sexually explicit photographs or videos. The predators later use such images as blackmail to intimidate their victims. When one downloads such apps, it gives access to a lot of things on the mobile, from mobile numbers to messages and galleries. Unknowingly, kids give the app permission to access a lot of things and land into troubles.
During the lockdown period, just about everyone is trying to engage in some or other activity. A lot of webinars, online shows, online classes, etc. are in vogue. But largely for teenagers, Instagram stories and Snapchats are more in offing. Likewise, Tiktok videos have brought out the flair of millions of people. However, in the want of exposure, some inappropriate videos and photos are made by many people. Just think about the consequence if someone breaks into your phone or computer and gains access to that private material.
In the wake of COVID-19, there has also been a great spike in sextortion crimes. It is an extensively used form of spam attack where cybercriminals extract money by claiming to have a person's compromising pictures or evidence of their sexual activity. They often lacerate into someone's mobile phone or other electronic devices and steal those videos/ photos or even morph a regular photo to make it look obscene. The attacker bullies to share such evidence with the person's friends and family and employer unless they pay ransom money, attackers prey on the victim's fear and discomfiture and blackmails him/her into paying up.
Yet another aspect of crime in this pandemic situation, and until the time an effective medicine or vaccine is discovered, is that there are going to be many commercials, advertisement, websites, and other forms of communication on medications, immunity boosters or other techniques which may claim to cure COVID-19 completely which might affect your health in myriad of ways.
You might think that the only form of cybercrime you have to be anxious about is hackers stealing your monetary information. However, there are far more concerns than just basic financial ones. Cybercrime continues to evolve, with new threats surfacing every year. When you hear and read about the range of cybercrimes out there, you might be enticed to stop using the internet totally. That's probably too far-reaching. As an alternative, it's a good idea to know how to identify cybercrime, which can be the first step to helping protect yourself and your data. Taking some basic precautions and knowing whom to contact when you see others engaged in criminal activities online are also important steps.
Protecting your financial information when you go online is a foremost step. Don't ever repeat your passwords on different sites, and change your passwords regularly. Make them complex and composite. That means using a combination of at least 10 letters, numbers, and symbols. Keeping your software updated is especially important with your operating systems and internet security software. Cybercriminals frequently use known exploits, or flaws, in your software to gain access to your system. Patching those exploits and flaws can make it less likely that you'll become a cybercrime target.
Keep your personal and private information locked down. Social engineering cyber criminals can often get your personal information with just a few data points, so the less you share publicly, the better.
You can teach your kids about acceptable use of the internet without shutting down communication channels. Make sure they know that they can come to you if they're experiencing any kind of online harassment, stalking, or bullying.
If you consider that you've become a prey of a cybercrime, you need to aware the local police. This is important even if the crime seems inconsequential. Your report may support authorities in their investigations or may help to prevent criminals from taking advantage of other people in the future. If you think cybercriminals have stolen your identity. These are among the steps you should consider: contact the companies and banks where you know fraud occurred, place fraud alerts and get your credit reports and report identity theft to the police.
Your video chats on social media sites can be recorded by the person on the other side. There have been instances where video chats which were supposed to be private in nature have been recorded and shared on social media groups and websites. Be careful while accepting chat requests from strangers.
Happy networking! |
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