India lost a whopping Rs24,630 crore to cyber criminals in the year 2013, states the recent study of Cyber and Network Security Framework by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
“This alarming upsurge in cyber crimes may touch the figure of 3,00,000 in 2015,” said DS Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM. “However, a matter of greater concern is that most of these crimes are based outside India, primarily in China, Pakistan, Algeria, Bangladesh and others,” he added.
India now ranks third in the world after Japan and US in the tally of the nations most affected by the online banking malware. The report states that the maximum malefactors are from the age group of 18-30 wherein the phishing attacks of online bank accounts and cloning of ATM debit cards are the most common occurrences.
In such a scenario of increased IT-enabled services (ITes), the protection of personal and sensitive data deserves foremost significance. “The economic growth of any nation and its security whether internal or external and competiveness depends on how well is its cyberspace secured and protected,” said Rawat.
The rising Internet seepage and popularity of online banking, in addition to the increasing sale of smartphones have brought in India, which has 46 million cyber victims out of world total of 560 million (2012), as an easy prey to cyber crime.
Rawat stated the installation of uncertified applications without checking security certificates as the prime way in which the crucial information on smart phones is hacked. “Mobile banking apps store data such as PIN, account number on the phone. So, there is a risk that if the phone is hacked or stolen, then the information is compromised,” he added
Interestingly, the States which provide the country with largest revenue from IT and related industries (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra) are also the ones which have fallen prey to cyber crimes the most in the country with 681 cases registered at Maharashtra, 635 at Andhra Pradesh and 513 at Andhra Pradesh. However, according to the report it was Uttar Pradesh which witnessed the largest rise (81.5 per cent) in the cyber crime in one year (2013).
The citizens are advised not to indulge in online shopping or banking or entering credit card details if the network is not secured. The spam emails must be deleted immediately without clicking on the links given in them.
One must not provide the photocopy of both the sides of credit card to anyone as the card verification value is provided on the reverse side. To avoid phishing, one must not click on the links in mails which seek bank account details.