Cyber security awareness

The first step in becoming cyber safe is awareness.

Cyber security means protecting information , computer or any electronic gadget and confidential data. Now a days we see cyber crimes increase day by day. What exactly mean by cyber crimes ? It is an unlawful act done by intentions on internet using electronic device. i.e. Mobile phones , computer.

The objective of this article is to aware people from cyber crimes and to create awareness among students or youngsters to elders. Because, now a days technology increases day by day and use of Internet , smartphone also increases day by day . Internet and smart phones are integral part of our live . Behind every crimes , criminals have some intention like for fun , revenge , curiosity and for money . why cyber crimes are increases ?There are some reasons ,Ø Huge increase of internet and mobile phone.

Ø People share, post personal information and confidential data on internet.

Ø Banking transactions also done through internet.

Ø In this covid pandemic the education is imparting on online basis from youngers to elders .

Ø The government is also taking part in Digital procedure for ex. Online business, Banking .

While doing the online business the feature of phoning are not known to majority public. Most of the people become escape goat regarding financial matters and sexual activities . Because still some people are not aware about it . Its not only about phoning feature , but people responding to fake calls about credit card , Debit card , Bank details and OTP number . This shows that some people are not aware about it .

Rather than this there are others crimes like cyber bullying , in that the criminals harass a person using electronic device. Cyber stalking , in that to harass , or frighten someone to sending fake E-mails . Unauthorized access means to gain access of others computer without taking permission of owners . Infact , cyber pornography cases are increases in that , criminals display , publish obscence material , photos especially engaged in sexual acts and harass a person using his images .cyber morphing it’s a crime in that criminal change one photo into other using morphing tools . These because youngers like to share , post pictures , videos on social media like ( Facebook , Instagram , twitter etc..) without thinking they share confidential data , information on social sites. But criminals take dis advantage of these social sites. Some of us accept the friend request from unknown person on social media . cyber stalkers have multiple methods to stalk a person over internet like SMS , phone calls . Now a days , social media is the platform for the crimes.

In this virtual world , phishing attacks increases . what exactly mean by phishing attack ? It’s a form of social engineering where, criminals monitor on you , your likes , dislikes . A criminal hacker create a link and tries to trick the user to clicking a fraud link. recently one case happened related to phishing attacks . in that , a criminal hacker created a link as covid registration and sent to people . some of us open that link and fill all the sensitive information and confidential data , as he /she consider that link is provide through government . without thinking they fill all information .so you see without thinking do not open link.

How to protect yourself against cyber attacks :

Ø Use strong passwords.

Ø Use a combination of capital and lower case letter , numbers and symbols.

Ø Do not write passwords .

Ø Avoid sharing your passwords to anyone.

Ø Be careful of your passwords , when using shared to machine (cyber café).

Ø Never use your password for multiple accounts .

Ø Change it regularly.

Ø Never use your personal information in password like( Birth date , your pet name , your likes etc)

How to protect your social media account .

Ø Be careful in what you upload on your social media account like ( photos , videos , status )

Ø Use security and privacy options provided by social media.

Ø Start two factor authentication ( Based on SMS )

Ø Keep your personal details safe.

Ø Don’t accept the friend request from unknown person.

How to protect your phone and laptop

Ø Use auto lock feature.

Ø Download apps from authorized app store only.

Ø Do not accept the calls from wired number .

Ø Do not share your OTP .

Ø Be careful of what you install .

Ø Use privacy options provided by various mobile operating system .

How to protect your laptop

Ø Keep your operating system updated with latest patches .

Ø Avoid installing cracked software.

Ø Keep OS files and personal files in different HDD ( hard disk drive ) partition.

Ø Secure software using anti viruses program .

Ø Never visit untrusted websites.

Ø Do not connect to unknown or unprotected wifi zones .

Miss Akanksha Pathak

Student of White Band Associates