While using smartphones, many people often do not think twice before installing various apps or games. Sometimes, they even open links without much consideration. However, through these means, personal information on their mobile phones can be compromised, leading to potential hacking. This can result in us falling into any crisis.
In the country, there were 65,893 cybercrime cases registered in 2022. Among these, the highest number of cases were related to online fraud. Maharashtra ranks fourth in the country, with 8,249 cybercrime cases registered in the state. Particularly, cases of cyber fraud involving highly educated individuals who fell victim to part-time job scams, clicking on links to transfer money to bank accounts, or sharing OTPs are on the rise.
According to the NCRB’s 2022 statistics, 221 cybercrime cases have been registered in Nagpur. Among them, 21 cases are related to cyber stalking involving women and children.
To prevent such incidents, what can be done?
One should be vigilant while installing any apps, carefully considering the permissions requested. Avoid granting permissions for accessing personal information like phonebook, camera, and location whenever possible. Some apps may install without asking for permission, so it’s important to keep privacy settings enabled in your mobile device settings. Additionally, it’s crucial to regularly update your mobile operating system for enhanced security.
For that, regularly check the update option in your mobile settings. Also, ensure that the applications you use are updated. Avoid installing any apps from third-party stores other than the official app store.
When giving mobile phones to children, be careful:
1. Install parental control-related applications on your mobile.
2. Activate a private pin in the settings to prevent the use of other apps on the mobile. This way, children won’t be able to use other apps.
Many links or messages come to you regularly. To check if they are fraudulent, it is necessary to have a virus total application on your mobile. This application shows a red alert if there are fraudulent links. Also, if you need to identify fake links, pay attention to the spelling. If you find any mistakes, do not open the link.