Tag Archives: cybersecurity

Newsbeat

Hyderabad Sees 24% Rise in Cybercrimes in 2023

Cybercrime in Hyderabad Rises: Key Takeaways from the 2023 Cybersecurity Summit

Hyderabad: Cybercrimes have risen by 24% in Hyderabad, according to City Police Commissioner CV Anand. He shared this update at the Hyderabad Annual Cybersecurity Knowledge Summit, where he emphasized that cybersecurity is no longer just the responsibility of the police but needs the attention of everyone.

 

Anand pointed out that cybercriminals are becoming more dangerous, using tricks like offering easy money or threatening victims with fake arrest threats. He stressed that tackling cybercrime requires efforts from individuals, businesses, and government agencies.

 

So far this year, the police have helped return Rs 35.8 crore to victims of cyber fraud. Recently, 28 cybercriminals were arrested in Rajasthan, involved in 283 cases across India, including 28 in Telangana.

 

During the summit, Brijesh Singh, Additional DGP of Maharashtra, mentioned the need to continuously adapt to new and evolving cyber threats. Shikha Goel, DGP CID Telangana, spoke about the importance of better cooperation between the public, businesses, and law enforcement to fight these crimes.

 

A special session at the event featured actor Adivi Sesh and Bharani Kumar Aroll of the Hyderabad City Security Council, where they launched the “I AM READY” campaign, urging citizens to commit to digital safety. The summit saw participation from over 500 people, including business leaders, educators, and experts.

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Newsbeat

The Indian Government Blocked Over 100 Fraudulent Websites

Government Takes Swift Action: Blocks Over 100 Websites in Crackdown on Illegal Investments and Job Frauds

Over 100 websites have been blocked by the Indian government for aiding organized illegal investments and fraudulent part-time job schemes. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), part of the Union Home Ministry, identified and recommended the blocking of these websites through its National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU).

These websites, mostly run by foreign entities, targeted retired individuals, women, and unemployed youth seeking part-time employment. Operated through digital advertisements, chat messengers, and rented accounts, these platforms facilitated organized illegal investments related to economic crimes.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) utilized its authority under the Information Technology Act, of 2000, to block these websites. The economic frauds conducted on these platforms involved laundering proceeds out of India through methods like card networks, cryptocurrencies, overseas ATM withdrawals, and international Fintech companies.

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The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) is a Home Ministry initiative to address cyber crimes in a coordinated manner. Citizens are urged to report phone numbers and social media handles used by fraudsters through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).

The fraudulent schemes typically began with targeted digital advertisements on platforms like Google and Meta, using keywords like “Ghar baithe job” (work from home) and “Ghar baithe kamai kaise karen” (how to earn from home). Victims were then engaged through WhatsApp or Telegram, convinced to perform tasks for commissions, and eventually duped into making larger investments.

As a precaution, citizens are advised to exercise caution before investing in high-commission online schemes. Financial transactions with unknown individuals on WhatsApp or Telegram should be avoided without proper verification. Checking the source of initial commissions and verifying the name of the receiver in UPI Apps is recommended to prevent falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

The government emphasizes refraining from transactions with unknown accounts to prevent involvement in money laundering, terror financing, and potential legal consequences, according to the statement.

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Tech

Parliament Panel May Summon Apple Officials

Parliament Panel May Summon Apple Officials Over Hacking Attempt Alerts

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) is considering summoning Apple officials during an upcoming meeting to address recent alerts on “state-sponsored attacks” sent to Opposition leaders and other public figures in the country on their iPhones, according to a report by news agency ANI.

The committee’s secretariat has expressed deep concern and is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness, said an official of the committee secretariat.

Background

Apple recently sent alerts to several Opposition leaders and other public figures in India warning them of potential “state-sponsored attacks” on their iPhones . The alerts have raised concerns about the security of Apple’s devices and the possibility of foreign governments attempting to interfere in India’s internal affairs .

The Way Forward

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) is expected to summon Apple officials during an upcoming meeting to discuss the issue. The committee will seek answers from Apple regarding the alerts and measures being taken to ensure the security of its devices.

In conclusion, the recent alerts sent by Apple to several public figures in India have raised concerns about the security of its devices. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) is taking the matter seriously and is expected to summon Apple officials during an upcoming meeting to discuss the issue. It remains to be seen what steps will be taken by Apple to address these concerns.

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Newsbeat

India’s First Law Enforcement CISO Council Launched

Telangana Police Launches India’s First Law Enforcement CISO Council

The Telangana Police, with support from the IT industry and academia, launched the Law Enforcement CISO (Chief Information Security Officers) Council on Saturday. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative in India.

The council is a beacon of cybersecurity in Telangana, said Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary IT and Industries. He noted that cybersecurity breaches are multiplying and will continue to grow as more people come online. Individuals or enterprises, no one is an exception to cyber threats and frauds,” he said.

The council will provide a platform for CISOs from the government, industry, and academia to share intelligence and collaborate on cybersecurity initiatives. It will also work with the IT department and other centers of excellence in the state to develop and implement cybersecurity best practices.

Telangana is home to many firsts in the country, and the CISO Council is another example, said DGP Anjani Kumar. “The definition of crime is changing fast. There is no jurisdiction in cybercrimes. This now poses a lot of challenges for police,” he said.

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