Download apps only from official app stores, says Cyber crime Inspector

Cyber crime Inspector Nandish Kumar has advised the citizens to download apps only through official platforms such as Play Store (for android devices) and App Store (for Apple devices).

Speaking at the Safer Internet Day programme on the theme ‘Smart Technology, Safe Choices and Safe and Responsible Use of AI’ at the Abdul Nazeer Auditorium in Mysuru Zilla Panchayat premises on Tuesday, Mr Nandish Kumar cautioned the public against downloading apps from any other sources.

Downloading apps from suspicious or unofficial sources can expose the device to various risks like malware infections, theft of sensitive personal and financial data. The malicious apps can also damage the performance of the device, lead to financial losses or even spy on your activities.

Even though Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made life smarter, faster and more efficient, Mr Nandish Kumar cautioned that AI can also make fraud appear more convincing than ever before. The possibility of frauds through AI has made it absolutely necessary for people to be extra-vigilant.

He also warned that a large number of people are also cheated through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.  Awareness about cybercrime and the responsible use of social media and AI should be imparted from the school level through various awareness programmes, he said.

Mr. Nandish Kumar also advised people not to share personal information on social media platforms and pointed out that forwarding links received through Instagram reels and AI-generated content has increased significantly in recent times.

In recent times, cyber fraud amounting to several crores of rupees had been reported in Mysuru City, he said, while cautioning people against sharing OTPs (One Time Password) or confidential information. He also advised citizens to make use of privacy settings in apps and social media platforms.

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Mandya district B. C. Shivananda Murthy expressed concern over the excessive use of internet and social media by children. Mr. Murthy emphasised the need for children to reduce their Internet usage as it would affect their mental well-being.

Noting that people now spend most of their time on mobile phones, forgetting their social responsibilities, Mr. Murthy said excessive mobile phone usage is leading to an increase in brain and heart-related ailments among people. “Twenty years ago, people used to spend time with family and friends to relieve work stress and nurture social values. However, excessive mobile phone use today has increased stress levels in everyone’s lives,” he lamented.

Advising people against sharing sensitive information on social media, he said cyber criminals can gather personal information through social media and target individuals. “Therefore, people should remain cautious on social platforms”, he said.

Senior Technical Director of the National Informatics Centre, Sangeetha Manjunath, who also spoke on the occasion in Mandya, said that children today are deeply absorbed in social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, leading to increased physical and mental health issues.

She also cautioned people against sharing personal photos on social media, as cyber criminals may misuse them through technologies such as deepfakes. She called upon people to make use of the cyber crime helpline 1930 to report cyber frauds.