District Information Officer calls for cyber awareness on Safe Internet Day
With the rise in digital activities, cybercrimes such as phishing, data theft, social media hacking, online fraud and banking scams have also increased. To combat this, citizens must stay aware of cyber security and follow simple precautions to protect themselves from major cyber attacks.
On the occasion of Safe Internet Day, District Information and Technology Officer Sikandar urged citizens to stay vigilant and avoid digital fraud. He recommended enabling two-factor authentication on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and other accounts. He also advised against clicking on unknown links or suspicious emails and encouraged citizens to update their privacy settings and report any suspicious activities immediately.
For digital banking and UPI payment security, Sikandar emphasised the importance of not sharing OTPs, pins, passwords, or banking details with anyone. He also urged the use of authorised apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM while keeping their privacy intact. In case of fraud, the citizens should report it immediately on the website: www.cybercrime.gov.in.
He also recommended using only HTTPS websites, checking for a lock symbol next to the website URL and avoid using suspicious websites. For mobile and app security, Sikandar advised keeping mobile apps up to date, using strong passwords, avoiding unknown apps, and only downloading apps from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. When using public Wi-Fi, the citizens should use VPNs for extra security.
To prevent cyberbullying and online fraud, Sikandar urged everyone to avoid sharing personal information with unknown individuals. He emphasised reporting blackmail or threats to the Cybercrime Portal and educating children and elders about online fraud. In case of banking fraud, the citizens should immediately contact their bank’s customer care and block the transaction, as well as change their social media and banking passwords.
