Lessons from cyber crime in 2024, resolutions in 2025, if you adopt these 10 tips then you will be safe from fraud in the new year.

New Delhi: Cyber ​​crimes will reach the next level in 2024 as AI gains momentum. Came face to face with new trends of cyber fraud. It would be better if the ‘lessons’ learned from the year 2024 are reflected in the form of ‘resolutions’ in 2025. NBT is telling 10 tips, which will protect you from cyber fraud. Vishal Anand Sharma reports:Will not share OTP
You should decide that you will never share OTP on unknown calls or messages. The result will be that you will be able to protect your bank account, mobile, laptop from being hacked. Additionally, you will be protected from many other threats of cyber scams. OTP i.e. One Time Password is a security feature that is sent to login to an account, website or app or to verify any important transaction. It should never be shared with anyone else, as it could put your online security at risk. If any unknown person asks you for OTP, do not share it at all, as it is a danger alarm. Use an authentication app (like Google Authenticator), which provides an additional security layer along with OTP. Keep an eye on your transactions and log-in activities through notifications and official websites/apps.

Do not receive video calls from unknown numbers
The lesson learned from many cyber incidents of sextortion in 2024 is to avoid messages, audio and video calls coming from unknown numbers. In this, threats are made by taking objectionable pictures, videos or information. Demand for money is made. If it is not completed, there is a threat to make the pictures/videos viral. The caller has to be blocked immediately. Still, if someone harasses you then you must report it to the police. Many apps like Truecaller help in identifying unknown callers. Provides option to block calls to avoid spam or unwanted calls. DND (Do Not Disturb) mode can be activated. Audio/Video calls do not have to be picked up manually. Most scammers and spammers adopt this method. You can reject that call or send it to voicemail. There is also a risk of data transfer along with video in a video call with an unknown person.

Don’t fall into the trap of ‘job fishing’
Email spoofing means creating an email ID in a format similar to the email of a big company. Cyber ​​criminals steal employment details from social media LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram etc. Job offers come from fake email IDs that look like real ones. There are also tests and interviews. Then fake offer letter is also sent. Till then, during this entire process, many of your personal information like address, past employment, account statement etc. are taken. Some nominal amount is deposited online in the name of registration fee. The link given for that is a malware link which captures all the banking details and password while making the payment. Therefore, do not click on unknown links coming from any email or message. Log in only to authorized websites with your user ID and password. The first thing to check before the website address is https://, not http://. If you are being offered a salary much higher than your qualifications.

There is no such thing as ‘digital arrest’
There is no such thing as ‘digital arrest’ in Indian law. This is a method of cyber fraud. In this, fraudsters pose as police/intelligence officers and falsely claim to have arrested someone over phone (or through online communication). The aim is to make the victim believe that he/she is involved in some crime and ultimately extort a huge amount of money from him/her. This year ‘Digital Arrest’ collected virtual ransom worth crores from many. Don’t be afraid if you get such calls. Block the numbers from which CBI, ED, Police notices have been sent. Fraudsters can say that a courier has come in your name, drugs have been found in the packet or you have had a conversation with terrorists through your phone… there are many such tricks. Don’t be afraid under any circumstances. No information like family, property, job, business, bank, credit card etc. is to be given.

Electricity/Gas connection will not be disconnected tonight
‘Due to non-updation of bills, electricity/gas connections will be cut tonight… This year such messages have caused cyber fraud to people. But now decide that you will ignore the message. Just like SMS from electricity company, ignore gas connection messages. Will not click on the given link or attachment. You will confirm by calling the helpline number of your PNG bill. You will check on the website with the BP (Business Partner) number written on your gas bill. Do not download links of AnyDesk and TeamViewer at the request of strangers. Will find out by calling the customer care number. Similarly, you will call the helpline number for your electricity bill. Will check on the website with the CA (Contract Account) number written on the electricity bill. Don’t panic if the message comes.

Beware of identical voice in voice cloning by AI
With the help of AI, anyone’s voice can be imitated. A special software is used in this. Therefore, it is extremely important to be careful about voice cloning. The biggest danger of voice cloning is that fraudsters can commit fraud by copying someone’s voice. For example, if the voice of a senior officer of a company is copied, cyber criminals can do anything. In some cases voice cloning can be used to bypass security systems. For example, some banks or companies use voice biometrics, and if someone imitates your voice, he/she can access your account. In such a situation, whenever you talk to an unknown caller on the phone, always be alert.

Social media profiles should not be ‘public’
Making information public on social media can provide opportunities to cyber criminals. Therefore, avoid sharing sensitive information on social media. Never give out your date of birth, address, phone number, or bank account information on social media. Criminals can use this information to steal your identity. The settings of social media profiles should be such that only close friends can see your information. Keep in mind that your social media profile should not be public so that anyone can see it. Even while applying for marriage or job, do not give too much information in the profile. Cyber ​​criminals can obtain personal information and misuse it.

Avoid searching ‘customer care’ on Google
Be careful while searching ‘customer care’ or any other number on Google, because the numbers appearing on the top links of this search engine could be those of cyber fraudsters. Therefore, never search the helpline/customer care number of a bank or company on Google search. Instead search on the website of the concerned company. The URL of any bank/company’s website has to be checked carefully. In identical websites, there are micro level differences like invisible dots, dashes, slashes, under scores etc. The spelling of the company has to be seen in the address bar. At the bottom of the website page, you can see options like Contact Us Helpline or Support. If a number is searched on Google and it is in the public database, then spam calls/messages may come from that number.

Trading investment offer ‘Na Baba Na’
Many such groups or advertisements are seen on social media apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram), which claim to easily earn money from the share market. Many people get connected to these advertisements just by seeing them. After this, cyber criminals target people through fake apps to defraud. The spreading web of trading scams is woven with the help of AI. They deceive – learn investment skills for free. Zero loss scheme and 100% return guarantee. By becoming a share advisor or claiming the class of advisor registered with SEBI/RBI. But don’t fall into their trap. No need to download APK app. Do not share personal or financial information.