Debunking the Free Recharge Scam: Protecting Yourself from Misuse of TRAI's Name

Introduction

The government has announced that the new criminal laws will come into force on 1st July 2024. The Union Government notified that three recently enacted criminal laws, viz. Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 will be effective from 1st July 2024.  The Indian Penal Code 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, and Indian Evidence Act 1872 have been replaced by these new criminal laws.

On 23 February 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs Announced the Effective Date of new criminal laws as follows:

1. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Effective from 1-7-2024, except Section 106(2).
2. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 Effective from 1-7-2024.
3. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 The provisions will come into force on 1-7-2024 except the provisions of the entry relating to section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in the First Schedule.

Section 106(2) Will Not Be Enforced

Truckers protested against this provision, which provides 10 years imprisonment and fines for those who cause death by rash and negligent driving of a vehicle not amounting to culpable homicide, and escape without reporting it to a police officer. As of now, the government has promised truckers and transporters that subsection 2 of Section 106 of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) will not come into force. This subsection deals with fatal hit-and-run cases and prescribes higher penalties for not informing authorities immediately after an accident. 

Section 106(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 read as follows;

106. Causing death by negligence.—

(2) Whoever causes death of any person by rash and negligent driving of vehicle not amounting to culpable homicide, and escapes without reporting it to a police officer or a Magistrate soon after the incident, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description of aterm which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

BHARATIYA SAKSHYA ADHINIYAM, 2023

The Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 will replace the Indian Evidence Act 1872. The Act has undergone significant modification to maintain its fundamental principles for fair legal proceedings and adapt to technological advancements and changes in societal norms. This Act recognises electronic records as primary evidence under Section 57. It also allows the electronic presentation of oral evidence, enabling remote testimony and ensuring that electronic records will have the same legal effect as paper records.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaces the 1973 Code of Criminal Procedure, introducing certain modifications. This Act, under section 176, requires forensic investigation for crimes punished with seven years' imprisonment or more.  Section 530 of BNSS, 2023 is a newly inserted provision which envisages the use of electronic communication audio-video electronic means for trials, inquiries, proceedings, service and issuance of summons. Electronic mode is permitted for all trials, inquiries, and proceedings under section 173 of this Act. The concept of Zero FIR is also introduced under section 173(1) and mandates police stations to register the FIR, irrespective of jurisdiction.

Conclusion

India's new criminal laws are set to take effect on 1st July 2024. These laws modernise the country's legal framework, replacing outdated statutes and incorporating technological advancements. The concerns from stakeholders led to the withholding of enforcement of Section 106(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. The new criminal laws aim to address contemporary society's complexities while upholding justice and fairness.

References

• https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/new-criminal-laws-to-come-into-effect-from-july-1-2506664-2024-02-24
• https://www.lawrbit.com/article/ipc-crpc-evidence-act-replaced-by-new-criminal-laws/

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Introduction

In the hyper-connected era, something as mundane as charging your phone can become a gateway to cyberattacks. A recent experience of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reignited fears of an emerging digital menace called juice jacking. Sarma, who was taking an Emirates flight from Delhi to Dubai, used an international charger and cable provided by another passenger on board. As he afterwards reported on X (formerly Twitter), the passenger got off while he slept and so could not return the borrowed items. Though most people admired the CM's humility and openness, cybersecurity experts and citizens were quick to point out a possible red flag, that it could be a juice-jacking attempt. Whether by design or not, the scene calls out to the concealed risks of using unfamiliar charging equipment, particularly for those who hold sensitive roles.

What Is Juice Jacking?

Juice jacking takes advantage of the multi-purpose nature of USB connectors, which can carry both electrical energy and information. Attackers hack USB ports or cables to either:

• Insert harmful payloads (malware, spyware, ransomware) during power transfer, or
• Create unauthorised data pathways for silent information exfiltration.

Types of Juice Jacking Attacks

1. Data Theft (Exfiltration Attack): The USB cable or port is rigged to silently extract files, media, contacts, keystrokes, or login information from the attached phone.
2. Malware Injection (Payload Attack): The USB device is set to impersonate a Human Interface Device (HID), such as a keyboard. It sends pre-defined commands (shell scripts, command-line inputs) to the host, loading backdoors or spying tools.
3. Firmware Tampering: In more sophisticated cases, attackers implement persistent malware at the bootloader or firmware level, bypassing antivirus protection and living through factory resets.
4. Remote Command-and-Control Installation: Certain strains of malware initiate backdoors to enable remote access to the device over the internet upon reconnection to a live network.

Why the Assam CM’s Incident Raised Flags 

Whereas CM Sarma's experience was one of thanks, the digital repercussions of this scenario are immense:

• High-value targets like government officials, diplomats, and corporate executives tend to have sensitive information.
• A hacked cable can be used as a spy tool, sending information or providing remote access.
• With the USB On-The-Go (OTG) feature in contemporary Android and iOS devices, an attacker can run autorun scripts and deploy payloads at device connect/disconnect.
• If device encryption is poor or security settings are incorrectly configured, attackers may gain access to location, communication history, and app credentials.

Technical Juice Jacking Indicators

The following are indications that a device could have been attacked:

• Unsolicited request for USB file access or data syncing on attaching.
• Faster battery consumption (from background activities).
• The device is acting strangely, launching apps or entering commands without user control.
• Installation of new apps without authorisation.
• Data consumption increases even if no browsing is ongoing.

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CyberPeace Tech-Policy Advisory: Preventing Juice Jacking

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1. Hardware-Level Mitigation
   
   1. Utilise USB Data Blockers: Commonly referred to as "USB condoms," such devices plug the data pins (D+ and D-), letting only power (Vcc and GND) pass through. This blocks all data communication over USB.
   2. Charge-Only Cables: Make use of cables that physically do not have data lines. These are specifically meant to provide power only.
   3. Carry a Power Bank: Use your own power source, if possible, for charging, particularly in airports, conferences, or flights.

2. Operating System(OS) Level Protections

1. iOS Devices:

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Enable USB Restricted Mode:

Keep USB accessories from being able to connect when your iPhone is locked.

Settings → Face ID & Passcode → USB Accessories → Off

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2. Android Devices:

Disable USB Debugging:

Debugging makes device access available for development, but it can be taken advantage of. If USB Debugging is turned on, and someone connects your phone to a computer, they might be able to access your data, install apps, or even control your phone, especially if your phone is unlocked. Hence, it should be kept off. 

Settings → Developer Options → USB Debugging → Off

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3. Set USB Default to 'Charge Only'

Settings → Connected Devices → USB Preferences → Default USB Configuration → Charge Only

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3) Behavioural Recommendations

• Never take chargers or USB cables from strangers.
• Don't use public USB charging points, particularly at airports or coffee shops.
• Turn full-disk encryption on on your device. It is supported by most Android and all iOS devices.
• Deploy endpoint security software that can identify rogue USB commands and report suspicious behaviour.
• Check cables or ports physically, many attack cables are indistinguishable from legitimate ones (e.g., O.MG cables).

Conclusion

"Juice jacking is no longer just a theoretical or obscure threat. In the age of highly mobile, USB-charged devices, physical-layer attacks are becoming increasingly common, and their targets are growing more strategic. The recent case involving the Assam Chief Minister was perhaps harmless, but it did serve to underscore a fundamental vulnerability in daily digital life. As mobile security becomes more relevant to individuals and organisations worldwide, knowing about hardware-based attacks like juice jacking is essential. Security never needs to be sacrificed for convenience, particularly when an entire digital identity might be at risk with just a single USB cable.

References

• https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/assam-chief-minister-himanta-biswa-sarma-x-post-on-emirates-passenger-sparks-juice-jacking-concerns-2706349-2025-04-09
• https://www.cert-in.org.in/s2cMainServlet?pageid=PUBVLNOTES02&VLCODE=CIAD-2016-0085
• https://www.fcc.gov/juice-jacking-tips-to-avoid-it
• https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/juice-jacking
• https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT208857
• https://developer.android.com/studio/debug/dev-options

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Overview:

The rapid digitization of educational institutions in India has created both opportunities and challenges. While technology has improved access to education and administrative efficiency, it has also exposed institutions to significant cyber threats. This report, published by CyberPeace, examines the types, causes, impacts, and preventive measures related to cyber risks in Indian educational institutions. It highlights global best practices, national strategies, and actionable recommendations to mitigate these threats.

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Significance of the Study:

The pandemic-induced shift to online learning, combined with limited cybersecurity budgets, has made educational institutions prime targets for cyberattacks. These threats compromise sensitive student, faculty, and institutional data, leading to operational disruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage. Globally, educational institutions face similar challenges, emphasizing the need for universal and localized responses.

Threat Faced by Education Institutions:

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Based on the insights from the CyberPeace’s report titled 'Exploring Cyber Threats and Digital Risks in Indian Educational Institutions', this concise blog provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity threats and risks faced by educational institutions, along with essential details to address these challenges.

🎣 Phishing: Phishing is a social engineering tactic where cyber criminals impersonate trusted sources to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials and financial details. It often involves deceptive emails or messages that lead to counterfeit websites, pressuring victims to provide information quickly. Variants include spear phishing, smishing, and vishing.

💰 Ransomware: Ransomware is malware that locks users out of their systems or data until a ransom is paid. It spreads through phishing emails, malvertising, and exploiting vulnerabilities, causing downtime, data leaks, and theft. Ransom demands can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

🌐 Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS): DDoS attacks overwhelm servers, denying users access to websites and disrupting daily operations, which can hinder students and teachers from accessing learning resources or submitting assignments. These attacks are relatively easy to execute, especially against poorly protected networks, and can be carried out by amateur cybercriminals, including students or staff, seeking to cause disruptions for various reasons

🕵️ Cyber Espionage: Higher education institutions, particularly research-focused universities, are vulnerable to spyware, insider threats, and cyber espionage. Spyware is unauthorized software that collects sensitive information or damages devices. Insider threats arise from negligent or malicious individuals, such as staff or vendors, who misuse their access to steal intellectual property or cause data leaks..

🔒 Data Theft: Data theft is a major threat to educational institutions, which store valuable personal and research information. Cybercriminals may sell this data or use it for extortion, while stealing university research can provide unfair competitive advantages. These attacks can go undetected for long periods, as seen in the University of California, Berkeley breach, where hackers allegedly stole 160,000 medical records over several months.

🛠️ SQL Injection: SQL injection (SQLI) is an attack that uses malicious code to manipulate backend databases, granting unauthorized access to sensitive information like customer details. Successful SQLI attacks can result in data deletion, unauthorized viewing of user lists, or administrative access to the database.

🔍Eavesdropping attack: An eavesdropping breach, or sniffing, is a network attack where cybercriminals steal information from unsecured transmissions between devices. These attacks are hard to detect since they don't cause abnormal data activity. Attackers often use network monitors, like sniffers, to intercept data during transmission.

🤖 AI-Powered Attacks: AI enhances cyber attacks like identity theft, password cracking, and denial-of-service attacks, making them more powerful, efficient, and automated. It can be used to inflict harm, steal information, cause emotional distress, disrupt organizations, and even threaten national security by shutting down services or cutting power to entire regions

Insights from Project eKawach

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The CyberPeace Research Wing, in collaboration with SAKEC CyberPeace Center of Excellence (CCoE) and Autobot Infosec Private Limited, conducted a study simulating educational institutions' networks to gather intelligence on cyber threats. As part of the e-Kawach project, a nationwide initiative to strengthen cybersecurity, threat intelligence sensors were deployed to monitor internet traffic and analyze real-time cyber attacks from July 2023 to April 2024, revealing critical insights into the evolving cyber threat landscape.

Cyber Attack  Trends

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Between July 2023 and April 2024, the e-Kawach network recorded 217,886 cyberattacks from IP addresses worldwide, with a significant portion originating from countries including the United States, China, Germany, South Korea, Brazil, Netherlands, Russia, France, Vietnam, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. However, attributing these attacks to specific nations or actors is complex, as threat actors often use techniques like exploiting resources from other countries, or employing VPNs and proxies to obscure their true locations, making it difficult to pinpoint the real origin of the attacks.

Brute Force Attack:

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The analysis uncovered an extensive use of automated tools in brute force attacks, with 8,337 unique usernames and 54,784 unique passwords identified. Among these, the most frequently targeted username was “root,” which accounted for over 200,000 attempts. Other commonly targeted usernames included: "admin", "test", "user", "oracle", "ubuntu", "guest", "ftpuser", "pi", "support"

Similarly, the study identified several weak passwords commonly targeted by attackers. “123456” was attempted over 3,500 times, followed by “password” with over 2,500 attempts. Other frequently targeted passwords included: "1234", "12345", "12345678", "admin", "123", "root", "test", "raspberry", "admin123", "123456789"

Insights from Threat Landscape Analysis

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Research done by the USI - CyberPeace Centre of Excellence (CCoE) and Resecurity has uncovered several breached databases belonging to public, private, and government universities in India, highlighting significant cybersecurity threats in the education sector. The research aims to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks without harming individuals or assigning blame, based on data available at the time, which may evolve with new information. Institutions were assigned risk ratings that descend from A to F, with most falling under a D rating, indicating numerous security vulnerabilities. Institutions rated D or F are 5.4 times more likely to experience data breaches compared to those rated A or B. Immediate action is recommended to address the identified risks.

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Risk Findings :

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The risk findings for the institutions are summarized through a pie chart, highlighting factors such as data breaches, dark web activity, botnet activity, and phishing/domain squatting. Data breaches and botnet activity are significantly higher compared to dark web leakages and phishing/domain squatting. The findings show 393,518 instances of data breaches, 339,442 instances of botnet activity, 7,926 instances related to the dark web and phishing & domain activity - 6711.

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Key Indicators:  Multiple instances of data breaches containing credentials (email/passwords) in plain text.

• Botnet activity indicating network hosts compromised by malware.

• Credentials from third-party government and non-governmental websites linked to official institutional emails

• Details of software applications, drivers installed on compromised hosts.

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• Sensitive cookie data exfiltrated from various browsers.

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• IP addresses of compromised systems.
• Login credentials for different Android applications.

Below is the sample detail of one of the top educational institutions that provides the insights about the higher rate of data breaches, botnet activity, dark web activities and phishing & domain squatting. 

Risk Detection: 

It indicates the number of data breaches, network hygiene, dark web activities, botnet activities, cloud security, phishing & domain squatting, media monitoring and miscellaneous risks. In the below example, we are able to see the highest number of data breaches and botnet activities in the sample particular domain.

Risk Changes:

Risk by Categories:

Risk is categorized with factors such as high, medium and low, the risk is at high level for data breaches and botnet activities.

Challenges Faced by Educational Institutions

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Educational institutions face cyberattack risks, the challenges leading to cyberattack incidents in educational institutions are as follows:

🔒 Lack of a Security Framework: A key challenge in cybersecurity for educational institutions is the lack of a dedicated framework for higher education. Existing frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST, COBIT, and ITIL are designed for commercial organizations and are often difficult and costly to implement. Consequently, many educational institutions in India do not have a clearly defined cybersecurity framework.

🔑 Diverse User Accounts: Educational institutions manage numerous accounts for staff, students, alumni, and third-party contractors, with high user turnover. The continuous influx of new users makes maintaining account security a challenge, requiring effective systems and comprehensive security training for all users.

📚 Limited Awareness: Cybersecurity awareness among students, parents, teachers, and staff in educational institutions is limited due to the recent and rapid integration of technology. The surge in tech use, accelerated by the pandemic, has outpaced stakeholders' ability to address cybersecurity issues, leaving them unprepared to manage or train others on these challenges.

📱 Increased Use of Personal/Shared Devices: The growing reliance on unvetted personal/Shared devices for academic and administrative activities amplifies security risks.

💬 Lack of Incident Reporting: Educational institutions often neglect reporting cyber incidents, increasing vulnerability to future attacks. It is essential to report all cases, from minor to severe, to strengthen cybersecurity and institutional resilience.

Impact of Cybersecurity Attacks on Educational Institutions

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Cybersecurity attacks on educational institutions lead to learning disruptions, financial losses, and data breaches. They also harm the institution's reputation and pose security risks to students. The following are the impacts of cybersecurity attacks on educational institutions:

📚Impact on the Learning Process: A report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that cyberattacks on school districts resulted in learning losses ranging from three days to three weeks, with recovery times taking between two to nine months.

💸Financial Loss: US schools reported financial losses ranging from $50,000 to $1 million due to expenses like hardware replacement and cybersecurity upgrades, with recovery taking an average of 2 to 9 months.

🔒Data Security Breaches: Cyberattacks exposed sensitive data, including grades, social security numbers, and bullying reports. Accidental breaches were often caused by staff, accounting for 21 out of 25 cases, while intentional breaches by students, comprising 27 out of 52 cases, frequently involved tampering with grades.

⚠️Data Security Breach: Cyberattacks on schools result in breaches of personal information, including grades and social security numbers, causing emotional, physical, and financial harm. These breaches can be intentional or accidental, with a US study showing staff responsible for most accidental breaches (21 out of 25) and students primarily behind intentional breaches (27 out of 52) to change grades.

🏫Impact on Institutional Reputation: Cyberattacks damaged the reputation of educational institutions, eroding trust among students, staff, and families. Negative media coverage and scrutiny impacted staff retention, student admissions, and overall credibility.

🛡️ Impact on Student Safety: ‍‍Cyberattacks compromised student safety and privacy. For example, breaches like live-streaming school CCTV footage caused severe distress, negatively impacting students' sense of security and mental well-being.

CyberPeace Advisory:

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CyberPeace emphasizes the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to address cybersecurity risks:

1. Develop effective incident response plans: Establish a clear and structured plan to quickly identify, respond to, and recover from cyber threats. Ensure that staff are well-trained and know their roles during an attack to minimize disruption and prevent further damage.
   
   
2. Implement access controls with role-based permissions: Restrict access to sensitive information based on individual roles within the institution. This ensures that only authorized personnel can access certain data, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.
   
   
3. Regularly update software and conduct cybersecurity training: Keep all software and systems up-to-date with the latest security patches to close vulnerabilities. Provide ongoing cybersecurity awareness training for students and staff to equip them with the knowledge to prevent attacks, such as phishing.
   
   
4. Ensure regular and secure backups of critical data: Perform regular backups of essential data and store them securely in case of cyber incidents like ransomware. This ensures that, if data is compromised, it can be restored quickly, minimizing downtime.
   
   
5. Adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA): Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication(MFA) for accessing sensitive systems or information to strengthen security. MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity through more than one method, such as a password and a one-time code.
   
   
6. Deploy anti-malware tools: Use advanced anti-malware software to detect, block, and remove malicious programs. This helps protect institutional systems from viruses, ransomware, and other forms of malware that can compromise data security.
   
   
7. Monitor networks using intrusion detection systems (IDS): Implement IDS to monitor network traffic and detect suspicious activity. By identifying threats in real time, institutions can respond quickly to prevent breaches and minimize potential damage.
   
   
8. Conduct penetration testing: Regularly conduct penetration testing to simulate cyberattacks and assess the security of institutional networks. This proactive approach helps identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by actual attackers.
   
   
9. Collaborate with cybersecurity firms: Partner with cybersecurity experts to benefit from specialized knowledge and advanced security solutions. Collaboration provides access to the latest technologies, threat intelligence, and best practices to enhance the institution's overall cybersecurity posture.
   
   
10. Share best practices across institutions: Create forums for collaboration among educational institutions to exchange knowledge and strategies for cybersecurity. Sharing successful practices helps build a collective defense against common threats and improves security across the education sector.

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Conclusion: 

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The increasing cyber threats to Indian educational institutions demand immediate attention and action. With vulnerabilities like data breaches, botnet activities, and outdated infrastructure, institutions must prioritize effective cybersecurity measures. By adopting proactive strategies such as regular software updates, multi-factor authentication, and incident response plans, educational institutions can mitigate risks and safeguard sensitive data. Collaborative efforts, awareness, and investment in cybersecurity will be essential to creating a secure digital environment for academia.

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