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Archives for May 9, 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Lead High-Level Meet on Banks’ Cyber Readiness

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will review the cyber preparedness of banks and financial institutions amid rising cyberattack threats linked to India-Pakistan tensions. Key financial bodies and cybersecurity agencies will assess protection measures for critical infrastructure. On the evening of May 9, 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will preside over a review meeting to evaluate the cybersecurity readiness of India’s banks and financial institutions. This occurs at a time when worries about the possibility of cyberattacks are growing, particularly in light of the escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the National Stock Exchange (NSE), public and private banks, and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) will all be represented at the meeting. In order to guarantee that vital infrastructure, including financial services, is safe from cyberattacks, Cert-In has been actively collaborating with many industries. WHAT MAKES THIS MEETING ESSENTIAL? The review meeting is taking place in the midst of increased concerns that cyberattacks could target India’s critical systems, such as the banking and financial industries. There is always a chance that cyber operations could be utilised as a means of disruption or retaliation when nations are involved in hostilities. In response, India has been stepping up its cybersecurity efforts, and the meeting with the finance minister shows how much the government values maintaining the security of the financial system. Cyberattacks can take many different forms, from system interruptions to data breaches. Even a small interruption can have a big impact on financial organisations’ finances and reputation, influencing anything from transactions to client confidence. To make sure that the nation’s financial systems are robust against potential cyberattacks, the Ministry of Finance and other important organisations are treating this threat seriously. Increasing hostilities between Pakistan and India The review meeting’s timing is related to the escalating hostilities between Pakistan and India. According to reports, the Pakistan Armed Forces broke ceasefire accords in Jammu and Kashmir and carried out drone operations along India’s western border on May 8, 2025. The likelihood of additional military measures increased as a result of these escalations, which came after India launched targeted attacks on nine places in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok). Despite being military, these innovations have broader security ramifications, such as the possibility of cyberwarfare. India is carefully preparing for potential threats to its vital infrastructure, especially the financial sector, as cyberattacks can be an indirect form of revenge in such confrontations.

The ‘Dance of the Hillary’ virus is spreading on Facebook and WhatsApp? Here’s What You Must Understand

Dance of the Hillary

A dangerous malware called ‘Dance of the Hillary’ is spreading via platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, targeting users with fake videos and documents to steal personal and banking data. Authorities urge the public to avoid unknown links and attachments and strengthen cybersecurity measures. Numerous reports indicate that various forms of cyberattacks are purportedly targeting Indian civilians amid the continuing tension between India and Pakistan. According to reports, a virus known as “Dance of the Hillary” is making its way across widely used email, Telegram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Once accessed, this malware, which poses as a harmless document or video, is said to collect private banking and personal information. The public is being advised to exercise caution and steer clear of unfamiliar attachments or URLS. What is ‘Dance of the Hillary’? According to reports, the ‘Dance of the Hillary‘ infection is a dangerous piece of malware that is intended to corrupt digital devices and steal private data. It deceives users into opening seemingly legitimate files, most frequently documents or video clips. After it is accessed, a virus is surreptitiously installed in the background, granting hackers access to the device. This malicious software can: Steal personal data and banking passwords Gain access to and divulge private documents Devices that slow down or crash Remotely take control of computers and phones “tasksche.exe” is an executable file that is known to cause the infection, therefore be on the lookout for it. Experts advise against opening any unknown files that end in .exe since they are suspicious. How Is The Virus Spreading? According to reports, the infection is being disseminated by: WhatsApp can forward videos as attachments. Phishing government circulars or emails posing as employment interviews Posts on Facebook with deceptive URLS Disguised files in Telegram and X (Twitter) messages To get people to click on these files, hackers are employing psychological traps like fear, curiosity, or urgency. What Should You Do? As previously stated, this specific malware can steal confidential data from devices. Here’s how to exercise caution even when there isn’t any evidence that the virus is harming users: Avoid opening files or links from unidentified or unreliable sources. Disable the WhatsApp and other services’ “Media auto-download” feature. Set up and maintain antivirus software. Refrain from responding to unknown WhatsApp or Facebook communications. Use two-factor authentication and create strong, unique passwords. Make regular backups of critical data.

Govt acts on online misinformation on Operation Sindoor infra, banks on cyber threat alert

Operation Sindoor

The government has ramped up efforts to counter misinformation about Operation Sindoor and placed key infrastructure sectors on high cyber alert following recent terror-linked cyberattacks. Social media platforms are being monitored, with false content actively blocked and users urged to rely on official sources. According to a senior government source, social media platforms are “continually monitoring” for false information about Operation Sindoor by the ministries of information technology and information and broadcasting. These platforms have been requested to block any illegal content. Critical infrastructure agencies and organisations, including the Power Ministry, banks, telecom providers, and other financial institutions, are also on “high alert” after being the target of multiple cyberattacks in the wake of last month’s Amalgam terror incident. “We have contained the DDoS attacks that have been launched against certain infrastructure. We are currently on high alert since similar attempts will undoubtedly be attempted,” the person stated. An assault known as a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) occurs when a hacker floods a server, network, or website with malicious traffic from several sources, rendering it unusable or sluggish for authorised users. At a conference between representatives of the two ministries on May 7, 2025, in the afternoon, it was acknowledged that false information about India’s strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok) was widely disseminated on social media sites like X. Since people were making a variety of claims online, it was determined that the government would need to keep a careful eye on such content and use its legal tools to stop its spread. From images of unrelated strikes to video game footage, social media platforms turned into a battlefield for internet disinformation campaigns starting in the early hours of May 7. Online reports that Pakistan shot down an Indian Rafael jet were reportedly accompanied by images of a downed aircraft. The fact-check unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has stated that the images were outdated. Other widely circulated accusations about the airstrikes have also been verified by the unit. Users of social media platforms have been cautioned by the authorities to use caution. “Avoid sharing or relying on unconfirmed information. For factual information, see the Government of India’s official sources,” the IT Ministry stated in several posts on X. 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including well-known ones like Dawn News, Samaa TV, Ary News, and Geo News, were banned by the government following the Pahalgam terror incident for spreading misleading information and content that was sensitive to the community.