Alert: Cybercriminals Target Taxpayers and Banking Customers with Phishing Campaign and Malicious Application
March 3rd 2023, New Delhi: If you have received any message that contains a link asking users to download an application to avail Income Tax Refund or KYC benefits with the name of Income Tax Department or reputed Banks, Beware!
CyberPeace Foundation and Autobot Infosec Private Limited along with the academic partners under CyberPeace Center of Excellence (CCoE) recently conducted five different studies on phishing campaigns that have been circulating on the internet by using misleading tactics to convince users to install malicious applications on their devices. The first campaign impersonates the Income Tax Department, while the rest of the campaigns impersonate ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, IDFC Bank and Axis bank respectively. The phishing campaigns aim to trick users into divulging their personal and financial information.
After a detailed study, the research team found that:
- All campaigns appear to be an offer from reputed entities, however hosted on third-party domains instead of the official website of the Income Tax Department or the respective Banks, raising suspicion.
- The applications ask several access permissions of the device. Moreover some of them seek users to provide full control of the device. Allowing such access permission could result in a complete compromise of the system, including access to sensitive information such as microphone recordings, camera footage, text messages, contacts, pictures, videos, and even banking applications.
- Cybercriminals created malicious applications using icons that closely resemble those of legitimate entities with the intention of enticing users into downloading the malicious applications.
- The applications collect user’s personal and banking information. Getting into this type of trap could lead users to face significant financial losses.
- While investigating the impersonated Income Tax Department’s application, the Research team identified the application sends http traffic to a remote server which acts as a Command and Control (CnC/C2) for the application.
- Customers who desire to avail benefits or refunds from respective banks, download relevant apps, believing that the chosen app will assist them. However, they are not always aware that the app may be fraudulent.
“The Research highlights the importance of being vigilant while browsing the internet and not falling prey to such phishing attacks. It is crucial to be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, as they may contain malware that can harm the device or compromise the data.” spokesperson, CyberPeace added.
In addition to this in an earlier report released in last month, the same research team had drawn attention to the WhatsApp messages masquerading as an offer from Tanishq Jewellers with links luring unsuspecting users with the promise of free valentine’s day presents making the rounds on the app.
CyberPeace Advisory:
- The Research team recommends that people should avoid opening such messages sent via social platforms. One must always think before clicking on such links, or downloading any attachments from unauthorised sources.
- Downloading any application from any third party sources instead of the official app store should be avoided. This will greatly reduce the risk of downloading a malicious app, as official app stores have strict guidelines for app developers and review each app before it gets published on the store.
- Even if you download the application from an authorised source, check the app’s permissions before you install it. Some malicious apps may request access to sensitive information or resources on your device. If an app is asking for too many permissions, it’s best to avoid it.
- Keep your device and the app-store app up to date. This will ensure that you have the latest security updates and bug fixes.
- Falling into such a trap could result in a complete compromise of the system, including access to sensitive information such as microphone recordings, camera footage, text messages, contacts, pictures, videos, and even banking applications and could lead users to financial loss.
- Do not share confidential details like credentials, banking information with such types of Phishing scams.
- Never share or forward fake messages containing links on any social platform without proper verification.
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Data has become a critical asset for the advancement of a nation’s economic, social, and technological development. India’s emergence as a global digital economy hub makes it necessary to create a robust framework that addresses the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation. The Indian government introduced the Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy in 2022, aiming to create a comprehensive data handling and governance framework. This policy draft addresses key challenges in data management, privacy, and digital economy growth. As per the recent media reports, the Draft National Data Governance Policy so prepared is under the finalisation stage, the government specified in its implementation document for the Budget 2023-24 announcement. The policy also aims to address the country's AI adoption and the issue of lack of datasets by providing widespread access to anonymized data.
Background and Need for the Policy
India has a robust digital economy with its adoption of the Digital India Initiative, Aadhaar digital identification, UPI for seamless payments and many more. In India, 751.5 million people connect to the internet, and is home to 462.0 million social media users in January 2024, equivalent to 32.2% of its total population (Data Reportal 2024). This has brought challenges including data privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, digital exclusion, and a need for better regulation frameworks. To overcome them, the Draft National Data Governance Policy has been designed to provide institutional frameworks for data rules, standards, guidelines, and protocols for the sharing of non-personal data sets in a manner that ensures privacy, security, and trust so that they remain secure, transparent, and accountable.
Objectives omphasizesf the Framework
The objective of the Framework Policy is to accelerate Digital Governance in India. The framework will standardize data management and security standards across the Government. It will promote transparency, accountability, and ownership in Non-Personal data and dataset access and build a platform to receive and process data requests. It will also set quality standards and promote the expansion of the datasets program and overall non-personal ecosystem. Further, it aims to build India’s digital government goals and capacity, knowledge, and competency in Government departments and entities. All this would be done while ensuring greater citizen awareness, participation, and engagement.
Key Provisions of the Draft Policy
The Draft Framework Policy aims to establish a cohesive digital governance ecosystem in India that balances the need for data utilization with protecting citizens' privacy rights. It sets up an institutional framework of the "India Data Management Office (IDMO) set up under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) which will be responsible for developing rules, standards, and guidelines under this Policy.
The key provisions of the framework policy include:
- Promoting interoperability among government digital platforms, ensuring data privacy through data anonymization and security, and enhancing citizen access to government services through digital means.
- The policy e the creation of unified digital IDs, a standardisation in digital processes, and data-sharing guidelines across ministries to improve efficiency.
- It also focuses on building digital infrastructure, such as cloud services and data centres in order to support e-governance initiatives.
- Furthermore, it encourages public-private partnerships and sets guidelines for accountability and transparency in digital governance.
Implications and Concerns of the Framework
- The policy potentially impacts data sharing in India as it mentions data anonymization. The scale of data that would need to be anonymised in India is at a very large scale and it could become a potential challenge to engage in.
- Data localization and cross-border transfers have raised concerns among global tech companies and trade partners. They argue that such requirements could increase operational costs and hinder cross-border data flows. Striking a balance between protecting national interests and facilitating business operations remains a critical challenge.
- Another challenge associated with the policy is over-data centralization under the IDMO and the potential risks of government overreach in data access.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
The GDPR in the European Union and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act passed in 2023 in India and many others are the data privacy laws in force in different countries. The policy needs to be aligned with the DPDP Act, 2023 and be updated as per the recent developments. It further needs to maintain transparency over the sharing of data and a user’s control. The policy needs engagement with industry experts, privacy advocates, and civil society to ensure a balance of innovation with privacy and security.
Conclusion
The Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy of 2022 represents a significant stage in shaping India's digital future. It ensures the evolution of data governance evolves alongside technological advancements. The framework policy seeks to foster a robust digital ecosystem that benefits citizens, businesses, and the government alike by focusing on the essentials of data privacy, transparency, and security. However, achieving this vision requires addressing concerns like data centralisation, cross-border data flows, and maintaining alignment with global privacy standards. Continued engagement with stakeholders and necessary updates to the draft policy will be crucial to its success in balancing innovation with user rights and data integrity. The final version of the policy is expected to be released soon.
References
- https://meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/National-Data-Governance-Framework-Policy.pdf
- https://datareportal.com/?utm_source=DataReportal&utm_medium=Country_Article_Hyperlink&utm_campaign=Digital_2024&utm_term=India&utm_content=Home_Page_Link
- https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2023/03/data-by-people-for-people-tiwari-packer-matthan
- https://inc42.com/buzz/draft-national-data-governance-policy-under-finalisation-centre/
- https://legal.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/government-unveiled-national-data-governance-policy-in-budget-2023/97680515
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Introduction
Misinformation has the potential to impact people, communities and institutions alike, and the ramifications can be far-ranging. From influencing voter behaviours and consumer choices to shaping personal beliefs and community dynamics, the information we consume in our daily lives affects every aspect of our existence. And so, when this very information is flawed or incomplete, whether accidentally or deliberately so, it has the potential to confuse and mislead people.
‘Debunking’ is the process of exposing false information or countering inaccuracies and manipulation by presenting actual facts. The goal is to minimise the harmful effects of misinformation by informing and educating people. Debunking initiatives work hard to expose false information and cut down conspiracies, catalogue evidence of false information, clearly identify sources of misinformation vs. accurate information, and assert the truth. Debunking looks at building capacity and educating people both as a strategy and goal.
Debunking is most effective when it comes from trusted sources, provides detailed explanations, and offers guidance and verifiable advice. Debunking is reactive in nature and it focuses on specific instances of misinformation and is closely tied to fact-checking. Debunking aims to mitigate the impact of misinformation that has already spread. As such, the approach is to contain and correct, post-occurrence. The most common method of debunking is collaboration between fact-checking groups and social media companies. When journalists or other fact-checkers identify false or misleading content, social media sites flag or label it such, so that audiences are alerted. Debunking is an essential method for reducing the impact and incidence of misinformation by providing real facts and increasing overall accuracy of content in the digital information ecosystem.
Role of Debunking the Misinformation
Debunking fights against false or misleading information by correcting false claims, myths, and misinformation with evidence-based rebuttals. It combats untruths and the spread of misinformation by providing and disseminating debunked evidence to the public. Debunking by presenting evidence that contradicts misleading facts and encourages individuals to develop fact-checking habits and proactively check for authenticated sources. Debunking plays a vital role in boosting trust in credible sources by offering evidence-based corrections and enhancing the credibility of online information. By exposing falsehoods and endorsing qualities like information completeness and evidence-backed data and logic, debunking efforts help create a culture of well-informed and constructive public conversations and analytical exchanges. Effectively dispelling myths and misinformation can help create communities and societies that are more educated, resilient, and goal-oriented.
Debunking as a tailoring Strategy to counter Misinformation
Understanding the information environment and source trustworthiness is critical for developing effective debunking techniques. Successful debunking efforts use clear messages, appealing forms, and targeted distribution to reach a wide range of netizens. Debunking as an effective method for combating misinformation includes analysing successful efforts, using fact-checking, relying on reputable sources for corrections, and using scientific communication. Fact-checking plays a critical role in ensuring information accuracy and holding people accountable for making misleading claims. Collaborative efforts and transparent techniques can boost the credibility and efficacy of fact-checking activities and boost the legitimacy and effectiveness of debunking initiatives at a larger scale. Scientific communication is also critical for debunking myths about different topics/concerns by giving evidence-based information. Clear and understandable framing of scientific knowledge is critical for engaging broad audiences and effectively refuting misinformation.
CyberPeace Policy Recommendations
- It is recommended that debunking initiatives must highlight core facts, emphasising what is true over what is wrong and establishing a clear contrast between the two. This is crucial as people are more likely to believe familiar information even if they learn later that it is incorrect. Debunking must provide a comprehensive explanation, filling the ‘information gap’ created by the myth. This can be done by explaining things as clearly as possible, as people may stop paying attention if they are faced with an overload of competing information. The use of visuals to illustrate core facts is an effective way to help people understand the issue and clearly tell the difference between information and misinformation.
- Individuals can play a role in debunking misinformation on social media by highlighting inconsistencies, recommending related articles with corrections or sharing trusted sources and debunking reports in their communities.
- Governments and regulatory agencies can improve information openness by demanding explicit source labelling and technical measures to be implemented on platforms. This can increase confidence in information sources and equip people to practice discernment when they consume content online. Governments should also support and encourage independent fact-checking organisations that are working to disprove misinformation. Digital literacy programmes may teach the public how to critically assess information online and spot any misinformation.
- Tech businesses may enhance algorithms for detecting and flagging misinformation, therefore reducing the propagation of misleading information. Offering options for people to report suspicious/doubtful information and misinformation can empower them and help them play an active role in identifying and rectifying inaccurate information online and foster a more responsible information environment on the platforms.
Conclusion
Debunking is an effective strategy to counter widespread misinformation through a combination of fact-checking, scientific evidence, factual explanations, verified facts and corrections. Debunking can play an important role in fostering a culture where people look for authenticity while consuming the information and place a high value on trusted and verified information. A collaborative strategy can increase the legitimacy and reach of debunking efforts, making them more effective in reaching larger audiences and being easy-to-understand for a wide range of demographics. In a complex and ever-evolving digital ecosystem, it is important to build information resilience both at the macro level for the ecosystem as a whole and at the micro level, with the individual consumer. Only then can we ensure a culture of mindful, responsible content creation and consumption.
References
Introduction
Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide a framework and eco-system for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to deal with cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs approved a scheme for the establishment of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in October2018, which was inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah in January 2020. I4C is envisaged to act as the nodal point to curb Cybercrime in the country. Recently, on 13th March2024, the Centre designated the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) as an agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to perform the functions under the Information Technology Act, 2000, to inform about unlawful cyber activities.
The gazetted notification dated 13th March 2024 read as follows:
“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section 79 of the Information Technology Act 2000, Central Government being the appropriate government hereby designate the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), to be the agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs to perform the functions under clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section79 of Information Technology Act, 2000 and to notify the instances of information, data or communication link residing in or connected to a computer resource controlled by the intermediary being used to commit the unlawful act.”
Impact
Now, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is empowered to issue direct takedown orders under 79(b)(3) of the IT Act, 2000. Any information, data or communication link residing in or connected to a computer resource controlled by any intermediary being used to commit unlawful acts can be notified by the I4C to the intermediary. If an intermediary fails to expeditiously remove or disable access to a material after being notified, it will no longer be eligible for protection under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000.
Safe Harbour Provision
Section79 of the IT Act also serves as a safe harbour provision for the Intermediaries. The safe harbour provision under Section 79 of the IT Act states that "an intermediary shall not be liable for any third-party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by him". However, it is notable that this legal immunity cannot be granted if the intermediary "fails to expeditiously" take down a post or remove a particular content after the government or its agencies flag that the information is being used to commit something unlawful. Furthermore, Intermediaries are also obliged to perform due diligence on their platforms and comply with the rules & regulations and maintain and promote a safe digital environment on the respective platforms.
Under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, The government has also mandated that a ‘significant social media intermediary’ must appoint a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), Resident Grievance Officer (RGO), and Nodal Contact Person and publish periodic compliance report every month mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken thereon.
I4C's Role in Safeguarding Cyberspace
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is actively working towards initiatives to combat the emerging threats in cyberspace. I4C is one of the crucial extensions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, working extensively to combat cyber crimes and ensure the overall safety of netizens. The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ equipped with a 24x7 helpline number 1930, is one of the key component of the I4C.
Components Of The I4C
- National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
- National Cyber Crime Training Centre
- Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit
- National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre
- National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem
- Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team.
Conclusion
I4C, through its initiatives and collaborative efforts, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding cyberspace and ensuring the safety of netizens. I4C reinforces India's commitment to combatting cybercrime and promoting a secure digital environment. The recent development by designating the I4C as an agency to notify the instances of unlawful activities in cyberspace serves as a significant step to counter cybercrime and promote an ethical and safe digital environment for netizens.
References
- https://www.deccanherald.com/india/centre-designates-i4c-as-agency-of-mha-to-notify-unlawful-activities-in-cyber-world-2936976
- https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/home-ministry-authorises-i4c-to-issue-takedown-notices-under-it-act-124031500844_1.html
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/it-ministry-empowers-i4c-to-notify-instances-of-cybercrime-101710443217873.html
- https://i4c.mha.gov.in/about.aspx#:~:text=Objectives%20of%20I4C,identifying%20Cybercrime%20trends%20and%20patterns
