Cyber News Update Archives - The Cyber Shark

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.”

Facebook clean-up: Why Meta removed over 23,000 accounts in Brazil and India

Facebook clean-up: Meta removed over 23,000 Facebook accounts in Brazil and India linked to scams using deepfakes of public figures to promote fake investments and gambling apps. The company is enhancing security features and collaborating with Indian authorities to combat online fraud and protect users. On 07-05-2025, Meta announced that it had deleted over 23,000 Facebook Pages and accounts that were part of extensive scam operations that mostly targeted people in Brazil and India. The March takedown was a component of Meta’s larger initiatives to fight online fraud and increase public awareness of digital fraud. Meta claims that the fraudulent networks used deep fake technology to pose as well-known individuals, such as corporate leaders, cricket players, and producers of financial information. These edited movies purportedly featured public individuals promoting gambling apps and fraudulent investment schemes. Under the pretence of getting investment advice, consumers were taken to messaging platforms after interacting with the content. In several cases, consumers were tricked into downloading harmful gambling apps from a fake website that looked like the Google Play Store. Meta outlines several common scams. Meta described some increasingly common scam types as part of its effort to improve user protection. While payment scams usually take advantage of internet anonymity and urgency, investment scams frequently offer large returns on assets like shares, real estate, or cryptocurrency. Scammers who pose as vendors on websites like Facebook Marketplace and demand cash before vanishing without delivering the promised products are known to engage in advance payment fraud. Other tactics include Over Payment Frauds, in which con artists request a refund after claiming to have overpaid for an item, only to later reverse their initial (often fraudulent) transaction. As a result, Meta has implemented some security features on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, including scam alerts in Messenger and instructional materials to assist users in identifying fraudulent activities. To improve online safety, the internet giant said it is collaborating closely with Indian government agencies and civil society groups. Initiatives mentioned include cooperation with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, the Department of Telecommunications, and the Department of Consumer Affairs. Reiterating its dedication to digital security, Meta urged customers to stay alert and make use of the resources available to report and steer clear of frauds.

Cyber fraud awareness is raised by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB)

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) conducted 325 awareness sessions across the state to educate citizens on rising cyber fraud trends. Warnings were issued about fake shopping sites, online task scams, and illegal betting apps, urging victims to report cases via WhatsApp at 8712672222. Hyderabad: The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) organized a massive State-Wide awareness campaign with 325 sessions held across colleges, medical facilities, private offices, public gathering places, and bus stands to inform citizens about new trends in cybercrime and provide them with preventive measures. A component of Cyber Jagrukta Diwas was this. People were alerted to the existence of fake Instagram sites that use stolen photos to look authentic while showcasing sarees and other apparel. These websites take UPI and e-wallet payments and provide substantial discounts to entice customers. However, either poor quality things are sent, or no products are sent at all. The majority of these pages don’t display any validated company credentials or provide refund choices. Scammers also use offers of easy online chores, like liking videos, to target people. To earn the victim’s trust, they first offer little rewards. Later, they use promises of greater returns to persuade the victims to make larger investments. The scammers vanish after the money is sent, leaving the victims with losses. Fake websites posing as legitimate booking portals for FASTags or license plates were the subject of another alert. These websites gather private and auto data, impose deceptive fees, and never provide the services that are advertised. They also provide fictitious documents in certain cases to give the swindle the appearance of legitimacy. Additionally noted were online betting apps, which are prohibited in Telangana by the Telangana Gaming Act of 2017. These apps encourage money addiction and are frequently run from overseas. Influencers and websites that support or advertise these unlawful betting services are being severely targeted by authorities. Reporting via WhatsApp at 8712672222 is recommended for citizens who are the victims of such scams or who have information.

YouTube pilots two-person Premium plan to boost its subscription push

YouTube is piloting a two-person Premium plan in India and select regions to offer users a more affordable subscription option. Priced at ₹219/month in India, the plan targets couples or cohabitants and supports YouTube’s broader push to grow subscription revenue. YouTube is testing a new subscription tier that allows users in Taiwan, Hong Kong, France, and India to share their Premium or Music Premium membership with a household member. This action coincides with the Google-owned video platform’s increasing emphasis on subscriptions as a possible source of revenue as part of its strategy to expand beyond advertising. The YouTube Music Premium subscription tier is accessible for Rs 149 per month during the pilot. In contrast, the two-person YouTube Premium subscription tier is being provided in India for Rs 219 per month. Participants must be in the same Google family group, have a Google account, and be at least 13 years old. The Cyber Shark verifies this development from YouTube. In an announcement, a YouTube representative stated, “We’re experimenting with new ways to provide greater flexibility and value to our YouTube Premium subscribers, including offering a two-person Premium plan option, allowing two people to share a subscription at a reduced cost.” In addition to the ability to save videos for offline playing and play them in the background, YouTube Premium offers its customers an ad-free experience. Additionally, it gives them early access to certain of the platform’s experimental features. Similar capabilities are available with Music Premium, but just for music content. Monthly rates for YouTube Premium in India start at Rs 89 for students, Rs 149 for individuals, and Rs 299 for families. Students’ Music Premium plans start at Rs 59, individuals’ plans at Rs 119, and families’ plans at Rs 179. Couples, roommates, or any two people living together who want to lower subscription expenses while keeping separate accounts will probably find the two-member plan useful. Spotify, a massive music streaming service, also provides its users with a comparable package called Duo. Google has increased the cost of its premium subscription in numerous areas and launched a global campaign against ad blockers as part of its efforts to boost YouTube’s subscription income in recent years. Depending on the tier, price increases in India in August 2024 ranged from 12% to 58%. “A significant portion of YouTube’s revenue comes from subscriptions. During the business’s April 2025 earnings call, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, stated, “We are continuing to expand our subscription options. We recently expanded our Premium Lite pilot to the US, giving users a new way to enjoy most videos on YouTube ad-free.” Viewers will be able to watch ad-free videos in a variety of genres, including learning, comedy, gaming, and culinary, with Premium Lite. However, they will see advertisements for shorts, music videos, and music content. Additionally, customers won’t be able to download videos for offline viewing or play them in the background. In addition to the US, the plan is presently offered in Thailand, Germany, and Australia. YouTube reported in March that it has more than 125 million subscribers worldwide across its Music and Premium services. During the April earnings call, Pichai stated that YouTube and Google One were the main factors behind Alphabet’s overall success in surpassing 270 million paid memberships. Google usually only provides the platform’s advertising sales numbers each quarter, not the total amount of money made by YouTube. But in October 2024, Pichai said that for the first time in the previous four quarters, YouTube’s total revenue had topped $50 billion.

Hyderabad Cybercrime Police File Case Against X User for Offensive Post on CM Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad cybercrime police filed a case against X user “DigtvTelugu” for posting a morphed, offensive image targeting Telangana CM Revanth Reddy. The complaint alleges the post aimed to defame and provoke public hatred. Hyderabad: A social media user has been charged with a crime by the Hyderabad cybercrime police for allegedly posting derogatory and altered content directed against Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The problem arose after Kailash Sajjan, state secretary of the social media division of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), formally complained on April 29, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that an account on X (previously Twitter) with the handle “DigtvTelugu” shared an altered photo of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in a way that was deemed “objectionable.” Other Congress leaders, like Telangana Food and Supplies Corporation chairman Fahim Qureshi, were also featured in the tweet, which had captions making fun of the politicians. Sajjan claimed that the information was circulated with “malicious intent to defame the CM and the Congress party” and called it “fake, morphed, vulgar, abusive, and derogatory.” Additionally, he asserted that the account holder is a “habitual troublemaker” who seeks to foment anti-government sentiment. The cybercrime police filed a case based on the complaint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 353(2) (statements conducive to public mischief), 336(4) (forgery to hurt reputation), and 352 deliberate insult intended to cause a disturbance of the peace. Police said they would write to X to get information on the person who posted the material.

Pakistani groups’ cyberattacks on four defence facilities were stopped

Cyberattacks by the Pakistan group “Internet of Khilafah” targeted four Indian defence-related websites but were swiftly thwarted without compromising sensitive networks. The attacks aimed to disrupt services and steal data amid rising tensions post the Pahalgam terror attack. There have been reports of cyberattacks on the websites of four armed forces-related organisations amid the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. According to government authorities, Pakistan was the source of the cyberattacks. Four related incidents, including cyberattacks on the websites of the Army Public School in Srinagar and Ranikhet that targeted both sites with inflammatory propaganda and a distributed denial of service attack against the Srinagar school, were confirmed by intelligence assessments, according to Army sources. They might create distributed denial of service and vandalize the homepage. However, the web management promptly fixed it, according to a source. According to the source, there was also an attempt to penetrate the Indian Air Force Placement Organisation webpage and a breach of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation database. “No operational or secret networks were impacted at any point; all four locations were quickly isolated, and restorative action was performed. The source claims that efforts by cyber actors with their headquarters located in Pakistan to violate Indian cyber sovereignty have once again failed. The source noted that after mission-critical national networks were determined to be impregnable, these attacks on publicly accessible welfare and educational websites seemed to have been executed. According to intelligence assessments, the attacks were carried out by a group known as the “Internet of Khilafah” or “IOK Hacker,” and its goals were to capture personal information, disrupt online services, and deface websites. The source claimed that these attempts demonstrated the adversary’s capabilities as well as its intent, noting that “India’s layered cyber-security architecture detected the intrusions in real time and quickly traced their origin to Pakistan.” Even as Pakistan continues to redeploy troops and heavy military equipment along the border, firing by small arms along the Line of Control (Loc) has been reported over the past five days, adding to the tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025. Furthermore, social media has also seen a surge in tensions and propaganda.

Google Notebook LM AI podcast expands to more languages, including Hindi

Google has expanded its Notebook LM AI podcast feature, Audio Overviews, to support over 50 languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, Maithili, and Konkani. The tool uses Gemini’s multimodal AI to convert complex texts into podcast-style conversations, making learning more accessible. More languages are now supported by Google’s Audio Overviews function in Notebook LM, the AI-powered note-taking and research tool. More than 50 other languages are currently supported by the feature, including major Indian languages like Hindi, Maithili, Konkani, Urdu, and Marathi. According to the business, this multilingual capability is made possible by multimodal Gemini’s inbuilt audio support. The change was revealed in a blog post by the US-based software corporation. The whole public can now use the functionality. Overviews of Google Notebook LM Audio: How it Operates Imagine a scenario in which a user comes across a complicated paper or article and finds it challenging to understand. In this scenario, the user can utilise the Audio Overviews capability and submit the content to Google Notebook LM. The uploaded content will be converted by the AI into a dialogue between two AI-generated hosts, like a podcast. Rather than reading the material out loud, the hosts engage the audience in conversation while breaking down complex ideas as needed. This method makes learning more approachable and helps to simplify complex information. The resulting audio transformed a four-minute read into a nine-minute podcast when Business Standard tested the function with one of its articles on direct-to-mobile (D2M) phones. The audio sounded human because the two AI hosts spoke naturally, pausing and stuttering realistically. In order to customise the podcast to their requirements, customers could also designate the topic of the discussion. Audio Overviews are now accessible in over 50 languages thanks to this upgrade. Google first expanded Notebook LM to more than 200 countries last year. Overviews of Google Notebook LM Audio: How to Use Go to the Google Notebook LM official website. Select “Create New.” You can use Google Drive to upload your work by copying and pasting text or by pasting a link. Select “Generate” from the “Audio Overview” menu. Listen to the podcast that the AI created using your content.

Pahalgam Attack: Cybersecurity Warning Is Issued to Protect Digital Assets Following Hacker Attack in Pakistan

The Pahalgam Attack, a Pakistani hacker group, Team Insane PK, vandalised the Army College of Nursing website, prompting a nationwide cybersecurity alert in India. Authorities warn of potential future attacks targeting critical infrastructure as part of a broader cyberwarfare strategy. The Indian government has issued a cybersecurity alert after a hacking group based in Pakistan targeted the Army College of Nursing following an attempt to compromise the G20 website. All government ministries, departments, and organizations have been directed to strengthen their cyber defenses to prevent such incursions. According to sources, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has prepared an internal assessment following the most recent cyberattack, which occurred soon after the Pahalgam terror assault. As part of a larger cyberwarfare plan, the agency believes that further cyberattacks, especially on critical infrastructure, may be on the horizon. All departments are advised by a reviewed alert to improve their cybersecurity procedures immediately. They have been told to put strong security measures in place and adhere to Cyber Hygiene Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) in order to stop unauthorized access and data breaches. The Army College of Nursing’s homepage was vandalised on April 25 by the hacking collective Team Insane PK, which is based in Pakistan. The headline said, “You are hacked!” and also included images of the latest Pahalgam massacre and militant Burhan Wani. “Our religion, customs, and beliefs are miles apart—and that makes us stronger,” the hackers added in a provocative message. The two-nation hypothesis is true; it was not merely a theory. You are Hindu, and we are Muslims. Allah is with us. You will die because of your religion, not because it will save you. Said, we are too strong and superior. Authorities view this as a psychological warfare approach meant to undermine Indian institutions, in addition to being a felony. The origin and network of the hacker organisation are being investigated, and attempts are being made to track them down.

Pimpri-Chinchwad Cops Nab Duo in Multinational Cyber Scam Involving ₹2.5 Crore Fraud

Pimpri-Chinchwad cyber police arrested two individuals for supplying mule bank accounts used in a ₹2.52 crore share market scam targeting a senior citizen. The network involved links to cybercriminals from Dubai, Pakistan, and other countries, using accounts sourced from vulnerable individuals. On April 22, 2025, officials said that two people had been arrested by the Pimpri-Chinchwad police’s cyber division for giving mule bank accounts to two scammers, one from Dubai and one from Pakistan. On March 24, police say a senior citizen who retired from the state irrigation department lost ₹2.52 crore in a share market scam. On social media, the accused, who subsequently testified before the police, contacted the complainant and assured him of substantial financial returns. When the elderly man realised he had been tricked, he went to the police. One Balasaheb Sakharam Chaure from Kaij in the Beed district has already been taken into custody by the cyber police in this case. “Further investigation showed that some of the fraud money was received in a bank account operating from Sangli,” stated Pravin Swami, assistant police inspector of the Pimpri-Chinchwad police’s cyber cell. Consequently, our teams hurried to Sangli and arrested Amol Patil, who had transferred 6% of Yunus Dilawar Chaughule’s bank account to him. On April 17, both defendants were taken into custody in Sangli. Yunus Dilawar owns and operates a mobile store. A man from Madhya Pradesh was contacted by both of the arrested suspects, according to additional research. During their time in Madhya Pradesh, they worked together. Police believe Yunus Dilawar was assigned to obtain bank accounts from Sangli and transfer them to the Madhya Pradesh-based individual. To yet, Yunus has given the Madhya Pradesh-based man access to eight or ten of these bank accounts, for which he has paid ₹2 to ₹2.5 lakh in fees. The Madhya Pradesh suspect is being sought, according to the police. The investigation found that Ganesh Kale was from Dubai and Chaure was a member of a cybercrime group commanded by a Pakistani individual. Chaure in the Marathwada area used to give the two mule bank accounts. When he first met Chaure, Kale was employed as an MLM (multilevel marketing) executive. Kale and the Pakistani national persuaded Chaure to grant them commission-based mule bank accounts. Chaure has collected ₹2.5 lakh in commission and has so far transferred 15 to 20 mule bank accounts from the Marathwada region. To open these bank accounts, he used to get official documentation from labourers, drivers, and uneducated people. Additionally, he had communication with cybergangs based in Nepal, Dubai, and other countries, according to Assistant Inspector Pravin Swami of the Pimpri-Chinchwad police cyber cell.

Google-Kantar study presents a cautiously positive view of India’s adoption of Gen AI

A Google-Kantar study highlights growing interest in Generative AI in India, though challenges in awareness and usability persist. Google’s push for localised language support, simpler interfaces, and device integration aims to make its Gemini AI more accessible across diverse user groups. The country’s use of Generative AI (Genai) is changing, according to a recent study by Google and Kantar India. Although interest in the technology is growing, there are still several barriers to entry, particularly in the areas of knowledge and usability. Early users of Google’s Gemini platform, however, are citing significant advantages, pointing to a possible route for broader adoption if these obstacles can be removed. Google is aggressively seeking to increase capabilities and streamline access. The study includes more than 8,000 in-person interviews from various town classes in 18 cities between November 2024 and March 2025. Men and women from socioeconomic classes A and B who were between the ages of 18 and 44 were the survey’s target respondents (referred to as “Indian” in the report). Although interest in AI is growing, the survey found a sizable knowledge gap. Less than one in three Indians have used a generative AI tool, and three out of five are unaware of what artificial intelligence is or does. Understanding how to access and use these technologies is cited as a barrier by three-fourths of individuals who are not currently using Genai. Google is concentrating on making its AI products more user-friendly to meet this challenge. We’ve begun incorporating a lot of those [Genai] features. You’re starting to notice a single app more and more now.”All of these features are built into the Gemini app,” said Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind, in an exclusive interview. The goal of this consolidation is to give users a single location for all of their generative AI requirements while also removing the confusion that is frequently brought on by different AI services. Google is giving multimodal interaction top priority to further improve accessibility. According to Mr. Gupta, “so users can ask them [AI] with a few prompts.” As a result, Gemini will be more user-friendly for a larger spectrum of users by enabling text, speech, and visual inputs. Google is also concentrating on diversity by providing language support. “Our team has been working hard,” Mr. Gupta emphasised, “and we can improve the quality [of AI output] by understanding over 100 Indian languages.” This aids the business in localising AI advancements, especially in India, where not everyone speaks English. Beyond the app experience, Google is also attempting to use smaller language models to integrate AI capabilities straight into gadgets. This makes Gemini more accessible even in places with constrained bandwidth by enhancing performance and lowering dependency on continuous internet connectivity. Early adopters are already discovering useful uses for Gemini, despite the difficulties in gaining access to AI technologies. The survey outlines a variety of use cases, such as researching difficult subjects, helping with schoolwork, organising trips, obtaining “how-to” guides, professional email support, purchasing advice, picture creation, coding aid, and even gastronomic exploration. 75% of Indians believe that to thrive in life, they need a daily growth collaborator, and Gemini is well-positioned to be that person. In its report on the study, Google said that “for those who have overcome the initial barriers, the impact of Genai often goes beyond just task completion – it’s making a difference in how they feel about their capabilities.” The Google-Kantar report paints a cautiously hopeful picture of Genai in India. Although there are still many obstacles to overcome in terms of usability and awareness, Google’s efforts to simplify its products, give localized language support top priority, and incorporate AI directly into devices are essential steps in realizing the technology’s full potential as a “daily growth collaborator” for Indians from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The complete report is anticipated to provide more details on how Gen Z and Millennials view common problems.

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