thecybershark, Author at The Cyber Shark

Chandigarh Launches Cyber Wellness Clinic to Combat Rising Cybercrime

Chandigarh’s NITTR has launched the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic to combat rising cybercrime, offering training and awareness programs, and support for citizens and law enforcement. Backed by Zscaler and ISAC, the clinic aims to build a safer digital future through education and prevention. May 12: The National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTR) in Sector 26 opened the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic on April 30, 2025, in a significant effort to shield Chandigarh from the growing threat of cybercrime. A vital resource for citizens, educators, students, and law enforcement in the battle against online threats like phishing, identity theft, and QR code scams, this state-of-the-art facility is supported by Zscaler’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and in partnership with the Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC). NITTR Chandigarh, a pillar of technical education, was founded in 1967 under the Ministry of Education with an initial emphasis on polytechnic training throughout northern India. It is now a renowned university with programs in engineering, technology, and educational management, as well as international partnerships and a reputation as a centre for research. The Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic strengthens NITTR’s dedication to digital safety after a similar project at Punjab University on March 4, 2025, proved successful. The core of this effort is Zscaler, a pioneer in worldwide cloud security that Jay Chaudhry launched in 2007. Millions are protected by Zscaler’s Zero Trust Exchange platform, which has offices in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Mohali, and Pune in addition to seven data centres in India. Its Social Impact Program empowers marginalised areas by advancing digital equity and cyber education. “Building a secure digital future for everyone is the goal of our collaboration with NITTR and ISAC,” Karishma Bhuyan, CSR Lead at Zscaler, stated during the launch. India is the #1 target for AI-powered cyberattacks in Asia Pacific, according to the Zscaler ThreatLabz Phishing Report 2025. Cybercriminals never stop, from hidden links in images to phoney QR code schemes. Chilling local trends were given by Chandigarh Cyber Cell SP Smt. Geetanjali Khandelwal: “Scammers are targeting expectant fathers with fake semen donation schemes, tricking them into scanning malicious QR codes.” Senior persons are identified as the primary focus of Chandigarh Police’s cyber vans and surveys conducted with NCC cadets, underscoring the critical need for awareness. A comprehensive resource for preventing common cybercrimes is the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic. It offers 26 ISAC-certified programs, practical training at ISAC’s Cyberagent Cybersecurity Labs, and awareness sessions on fraud and cyber threats. In order to develop their abilities for cybersecurity careers—an area that is expected to need millions of workers in the years to come, according to Cyber Crime Magazine—participants can use technologies like Breach Point, EthixFirst, and the National Security Database. The clinic also provides officers with specialised training in cybercrime investigation, which improves law enforcement’s capacity to react. The clinic’s technical rigor is guaranteed by ISAC, a non-profit organization that works with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, AICTE, CERT-In, and IIT Gandhinagar. Its platforms offer useful resources, including as ethical frameworks and bug bounty schemes. “This initiative empowers communities to face digital challenges head-on,” ISAC Group Captain P. Anand Naidu stated. The clinic is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and is available to victims of cybercrime and anybody seeking advice on digital safety. Additionally, it provides law enforcement with cutting-edge training in cybercrime investigation. Need assistance right away? For prompt assistance, you can get in touch with Cybercrime Intervention Officers immediately through the free ISAC Cop Connect App. With 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals needed and Cyber Crime Magazine projecting that global cybercrime expenses will reach $10.5 trillion yearly by 2025, this program positions Chandigarh as a leader in creating a safe online environment. This partnership between Zscaler, ISAC, and NITTR is revolutionary. Join Chandigarh in the fight for a safe digital future by visiting the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic and arming yourself with knowledge. Don’t hesitate—remain vigilant and secure!

Google modifies its “G” emblem for the first time in a decade

Google has updated its iconic “G” logo for the first time in nearly a decade, introducing a smooth gradient across its four signature colours. The redesign reflects Google’s shift toward a more modern, AI-focused brand identity. The first significant update of Google’s recognisable “G” logo in almost ten years was unveiled today. The new design substitutes a gradient effect that smoothly switches between the colours for the traditional four-colour blocks of red, yellow, green, and blue. This little change attempts to give the emblem a more modern, fresh look, reflecting Google’s continued emphasis on artificial intelligence. With the release of Google app beta version 16.18, the update has started to show up on Android smartphones and is presently being sent out to IOS users via the Google Search app, according to a 9to5Google report. Even though the change isn’t very noticeable, especially at smaller sizes, it represents a more general visual change in Google’s design approach that is consistent with its most recent AI-driven projects. No Changes to Google Wordmark Yet The primary Google wordmark has not yet been altered by the business. Additionally, it is not officially confirmed if other product logos, such as those of Maps or Chrome, would receive the same revisions. The gradient design might, however, eventually be extended to other services given Google’s concentration on AI across all of its products. With this upgrade, Google hasn’t changed its “G” logo since 2015. The new gradient design represents the company’s changing brand identity as it incorporates more AI functions, especially with the introduction of Google Gemini, its generative AI assistant. A blue-to-purple gradient is already present in Gemini’s logo, further indicating Google’s move toward dynamic, gradient-based design. The new “G” icon is now available on IOS and Pixel smartphones, but the original one is still used on other platforms, such as the web and Android devices that are not Pixels. In the upcoming weeks, it is anticipated that the new design will be more extensively available on various platforms and devices.

Pakistan-Backed Hackers Launch 15 Lakh Cyberattacks on India; Only 150 Succeed

Pakistan-backed hacker groups launched over 15 lakh cyberattacks on Indian infrastructure, with only 150 being successful, according to Maharashtra Cyber. The attacks, linked to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Middle East, also involved disinformation campaigns and website vandalism. Mumbai: In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Maharashtra Cyber has identified seven Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) organisations that carried out more than 15 lakh attacks against vital infrastructure websites throughout India. Officials said only 150 of these strikes were successful on 12 May 2025. They claimed that despite an agreement between India and Pakistan to halt military conflict, the neighbouring nation, Bangladesh, and the Middle East continue to launch cyberattacks against Indian government websites. Speaking to reporters, a top Maharashtra Cyber official refuted allegations that hackers had targeted the Election Commission website, compromised aviation and municipal systems, and stolen data from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja International Airport. The investigation found that, although they did not completely halt, cyberattacks on Indian government websites declined as India-Pakistan tensions subsided. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, and other Middle Eastern nations are still launching these attacks,” he claimed. The state’s nodal cyber agency described the cyberwarfare carried out by hacker organisations affiliated with Pakistan in a paper titled “Road of Sindoor,” which was created as part of the military campaign against terrorists that the Indian armed forces launched under the same name. All of the major law enforcement organizations, including the State Intelligence Department and the Director General of Police, have received the report. The Middle East, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and an Indonesian organization were the sources of these cyberattacks, according to the assessment, stated Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber. The techniques employed included GPS spoofing, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, and malware campaigns. There have also been reports of Indian websites being vandalised. According to him, India’s vital infrastructure was spared, and other such attempts were stopped. Maharashtra Cyber’s previous report, “Echoes of Pahalgam,” which detailed cyberattacks in the wake of the Pahalgam terror incident, is followed up on by “Road of Sindoor.” APT 36 (headquartered in Pakistan), Pakistan Cyber Force, Team Insane PK, Mysterious Bangladesh, Indo Hacks Sec, Cyber Group HOAX 1337, and National Cyber Crew (affiliated with Pakistan) are the seven hacker groups mentioned in the report. According to Yadav, these organisations combined carried out almost 1.5 million focused cyberattacks against Indian infrastructure. The website of the Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council was vandalised, one of the 150 successful attacks. Additionally, the attackers claimed to have stolen data from telecom businesses and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja International Airport (CSMIA), some of which was purportedly found on the dark net. The Defence Nursing College’s Jalandhar website was also vandalised. According to the research, groups with ties to Pakistan are using a hybrid warfare strategy that involves extensive disinformation efforts. These organisations made exaggerated claims that they had compromised India’s banking system and disrupted power. More than 5,000 instances of false information and fake news on the armed disputes between India and Pakistan were found and eliminated by Maharashtra Cyber from social media. Thirty-five of the 80 particular misinformation cases that were reported for removal have already been removed, and the other forty-five are still pending. According to Yadav, these bogus narratives included allegations of satellite jamming, state-wide blackouts, cyberattacks on India’s power infrastructure, interruption of the Northern Command, and an alleged strike on a BrahMos missile storage facility. According to him, Maharashtra Cyber has advised people to check news from reliable and authentic sources and to avoid believing or disseminating false information.

India Boosts Financial Cybersecurity Following Cross-Border Tensions

India has urged the RBI, NPCI, and banks to strengthen cybersecurity amid rising tensions with Pakistan and threats to digital payment systems. To safeguard the nation’s financial institutions and digital payment infrastructure, the finance ministry has requested that the RBI, banks, and NPCI, among other important financial institutions, increase cybersecurity protection and remain vigilant. “Yes,” We’ve released a thorough advice on it,” a senior government source said about The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which runs the real-time payments system UPI, major banks, and a few other organisations, thought to be crucial to the safety and integrity of the nation’s financial system, are all considered financial institutions. The protection of NPCI and major banks serves as the foundation for the digital infrastructure that has revolutionised digital payments in India. Over 17–18 billion mobile payments of over Rs 24 lakh crore are made in India each month. The warning follows rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam massacre on April 22 and India’s counterterrorism actions. India thwarted waves of Pakistani drone and missile assaults on its border regions and military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, and other places on the evening of May 8. The Centre has especially requested that these banks maintain heightened awareness and strengthen cybersecurity across the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure, payment gateways, real-time gross settlement systems, and core banking systems. Two weeks after 26 people were killed in a terror strike in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, India began Operation Sindoor early the next day, targeting nine militant sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Given the current circumstances, CERT-In and the Reserve Bank of India previously urged the majority of significant financial institutions and payment providers to be ready for any cyberattacks. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has an office called the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) that keeps an eye on the nation’s digital assets and cybersecurity. Under the National Technical Research Organization (NTRO), the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is the national organization responsible for safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) assets, whose disruption could have a significant effect on both economic stability and national security.

India Emerges as Key Growth Market for Google Cloud, Says Country MD

India is one of Google Cloud’s fastest-growing and most strategic markets, driven by its vast scale and builder economy. With certified regions in Mumbai and Delhi, Google Cloud serves key sectors and continues major investments to expand its presence. India is one of the fastest-growing and most strategically important countries for Google Cloud, according to a top executive, because of its enormous customer base and worldwide construction industry. Bikram Singh Bedi, VP and Country MD of Google Cloud, said the business is very focused on the Indian market. “India is seen by us as a two-faceted market. The first dimension is to the scale of our operations; not many nations operate on this scale. India’s economy has a second component: builders. India is one of our most important markets and one of Google Cloud’s fastest-growing nations, Bedi told PTI, adding that the company works closely with some businesses to develop for the global market. Mumbai and Delhi, two Google Cloud regions in India, have received certification from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity). These serve a wide spectrum of customers in industries like telecommunications, financial services, healthcare, and e-commerce. Furthermore, it has invested in subsea cable projects with landings in India, such as Raman, MIST, and IAX. Among Google Cloud’s customers in India are well-known businesses including HDFC Group, ICICI Bank, Apollo 24/7, Manipal Hospitals, Flipkart, Meesho, Adani Group, Jio, and Airtel. India has been and will continue to be an important and sought-after market. Since this is one of our fastest-growing markets worldwide, our investments here are constantly ahead of the curve to take advantage of the opportunity,” Bedi said.

Pink Booths Upgraded with Cybercrime Tools to Aid Women and the Elderly in Lucknow

Lucknow Police trained 99 Pink Booth Officers to tackle cybercrimes against women and the elderly. The workshop focused on digital complaint handling, fraud prevention, and securing online safety. In an attempt to enhance women’s digital and physical safety, the Lucknow Police Commissioner held a three-day intensive training program for Pink Booth Officers (PBOS). This gave them the tools they needed to better address the growing cyber threats against women. The goal of the event, which took place at Police Lines Seminar Hall from May 9 to May 11, was to improve officers’ technical proficiency in handling digital crimes to modernise the operation of Pink Booths, which are helpdesks specifically designed for women. Up to 99 female police officers were given practical instruction on how to use the Sanchar Saathi Portal and the Cyber Fraud Online Portal. Under the direction of cybercrime specialist Gautam Mishra, the seminar featured live demonstrations of data security procedures, protecting digital evidence, and complaint registration. According to Saumya Pandey, assistant commissioner of police for crime against women, women and the elderly may easily report and register stolen or missing property. Updates on the progress of filed FIRS are also available to them. “Assist with character verification and tenant background checks. According to Pandey, victims of online fraud can immediately file complaints at any Pink Booth in order to take immediate action and freeze stolen funds. Pandey said the Pink Booths will now help older people and women who have trouble filing cybercrime complaints. They will also learn how to lock their cards and accounts in the event of cyber fraud. The initiative is part of the larger “Women’s Safety, Prosperity Guaranteed” campaign, which seeks to provide safer online and offline environments for women in Lucknow. Pink Booths are being reorganised as part of this program to serve as all-inclusive service locations for women’s support and safety requirements.

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

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

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

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.

Banks bolster cyber defence amid India-Pakistan missile tensions

Cyber Defence: Following India’s missile strikes on terror sites in Pakistan, banks have ramped up cybersecurity and physical security, especially near border areas. Measures include 24/7 cyber war rooms, anti-cyberattack protocols, and stocked ATMS to ensure service continuity. As India launched missile attacks on Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, banks strengthened their cybersecurity defences against potential cyberattacks. Because of the increased risk of a counterattack, banks have also strengthened security at their branches close to the border. Ashok Chandra, MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank, stated, “We have strengthened the cyber security mechanism… we have created a 24-hour war room to diffuse any cyber attack… we are prepared for any eventuality.” He added that the bank has made plans for the safety and security of its employees and has strengthened security at its branches in border areas. A senior executive from a different public sector bank claims that the bank has implemented an anti-cyberattack procedure to fend off any potential cyberattack. According to the official, ATMS in the border regions have been restocked with cash to ensure that users don’t experience any financial difficulties. The Indian military launched missile strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early on May 7, 2025, in revenge for the Pahalgam terror attack. These targets included the base of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke and the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold in Bahawalpur. The ‘Operation Sindoor‘ military attacks came two weeks after the terrorists killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Leading stock exchanges BSE and NSE have blocked their websites to users from other countries as a precaution. A representative for the BSE explained the reasoning for the move by stating that “BSE, being a critical market infrastructure institution (MII), proactively and continuously monitors risks at domestic and international levels for potential cyber threats.”

Author: thecybershark