Empowering Content Creators: The Voice for an Open Internet in India
Introduction
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has emphasised the need for an open internet. He stated that no platform can deny content creators access to distribute and monetise content and that large technology companies have begun to play a significant role in the digital evolution. Chandrasekhar emphasised that the government does not want the internet or monetisation to be in the purview of just one or two companies and does not want 120 crore Indians on the internet in 2025 to be catered to by big islands on the internet.
The Voice for Open Internet
India's Minister of State for IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has stated that no technology company or social media platform can deny content creators access to distribute and monetise their content. Speaking at the Digital News Publishers Association Conference in Delhi, Chandrasekhar emphasized that the government does not want the internet or monetization of the internet to be in the hands of just one or two companies. He argued that the government does not like monopoly or duopoly and does not want 120 crore Indians on the Internet in 2025 to be catered to by big islands on the internet.
Chandrasekhar highlighted that large technology companies have begun to exert influence when it comes to the dissemination of content, which has become an area of concern for publishers and content creators. He stated that if any platform finds it necessary to block any content, they need to give reasons or grounds to the creators, stating that the content is violating norms.
As India tries to establish itself as an innovator in the technology sector, a recent corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore was announced by the government in the interim Budget of 2024-25. As big companies continue to tighten their stronghold on the sector, content moderation has become crucial. Under the IT Rules Act, 11 types of categories are unlawful under IT Act and criminal law. Platforms must ensure no user posts content that falls under these categories, take down any such content, and gateway users to either de-platforming or prosecuting. Chandrasekhar believes that the government has to protect the fundamental rights of people and emphasises legislative guardrails to ensure platforms are accountable for the correctness of the content.
Monetizing Content on the Platform
No platform can deny a content creator access to the platform to distribute and monetise it,' Chandrasekhar declared, boldly laying down a gauntlet that defies the prevailing norms. This tenet signals a nascent dawn where creators may envision reaping the rewards borne of their creative endeavours unfettered by platform restrictions.
An increasingly contentious issue that shadows this debate is the moderation of content within the digital realm. In this vast uncharted expanse, the powers that be within these monolithic platforms assume the mantle of vigilance—policing the digital avenues for transgressions against a conscribed code of conduct. Under the stipulations of India's IT Rules Act, for example, platforms are duty-bound to interdict user content that strays into territories encompassing a spectrum of 11 delineated unlawful categories. Violations span the gamut from the infringement of intellectual property rights to the propagation of misinformation—each category necessitating swift and decisive intervention. He raised the alarm against misinformation—a malignant growth fed by the fertile soils of innovation—a phenomenon wherein media reports chillingly suggest that up to half of the information circulating on the internet might be a mere fabrication, a misleading simulacrum of authenticity.
The government's stance, as expounded by Chandrasekhar, pivots on an axis of safeguarding citizens' fundamental rights, compelling digital platforms to shoulder the responsibility of arbiters of truth. 'We are a nation of over 90 crores today, a nation progressing with vigour, yet we find ourselves beset by those who wish us ill,'
Upcoming Digital India Act
Awaiting upon the horizon, India's proposed Digital India Act (DIA), still in its embryonic stage of pre-consultation deliberation, seeks to sculpt these asymmetries into a more balanced form. Chandrasekhar hinted at the potential inclusion within the DIA of regulatory measures that would sculpt the interactions between platforms and the mosaic of content creators who inhabit them. Although specifics await the crucible of public discourse and the formalities of consultation, indications of a maturing framework are palpable.
Conclusion
It is essential that the fable of digital transformation reverberates with the voices of individual creators, the very lifeblood propelling the vibrant heartbeat of the internet's culture. These are the voices that must echo at the centre stage of policy deliberations and legislative assembly halls; these are the visions that must guide us, and these are the rights that we must uphold. As we stand upon the precipice of a nascent digital age, the decisions we forge at this moment will cascade into the morrow and define the internet of our future. This internet must eternally stand as a bastion of freedom, of ceaseless innovation and as a realm of boundless opportunity for every soul that ventures into its infinite expanse with responsible use.
References
- https://www.financialexpress.com/business/brandwagon-no-platform-can-deny-a-content-creator-access-to-distribute-and-monetise-content-says-mos-it-rajeev-chandrasekhar-3386388/
- https://indianexpress.com/article/india/meta-content-monetisation-social-media-it-rules-rajeev-chandrasekhar-9147334/
- https://www.medianama.com/2024/02/223-rajeev-chandrasekhar-content-creators-publishers/
Related Blogs
Introduction:
With improved capabilities and evasion strategies, the Vultur banking Trojan has reappeared and is a serious danger to Android users. The virus now employs numerous encrypted payloads, encrypted communication, and poses as legitimate apps. It is transmitted by trojanized dropper programs on the Google Play Store. Vultur targets victims via phone calls and SMS messages. With the help of this updated version of Vultur, attackers may take total control of compromised devices. They can perform a variety of remote control operations like install, remove, upload, and download files, halt the execution of programs, and circumvent the lock screen. The virus is now far more hazardous than it was previously because of its improved capacity to remotely access and manipulate machines.
Overview:
The Android banking malware Vultur is well-known for its ability to record screens. It was first identified by ThreatFabric in March 2021 and targets banking apps for remote control and keylogging.
The malicious apps were hosted on the Google Play Store by the Brunhilda dropper-framework, which was used for its distribution. Initial versions of the program used reputable remote access tools such as ngrok and AlphaVNC.
Hybrid attacks have been used in recent operations to disseminate the Brunhilda dropper via phone calls and SMS. The dropper uses a number of payloads to distribute an upgraded version of Vultur.
41 new Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) commands and seven new Command-and-Control (C2) methods are included in the most recent version of Vultur.
With the help of Android's Accessibility Services, these enhancements concentrate on remote access functionality that improves the malware's capacity to communicate with the victim's screen.
Modus operandi of Attack:
Hybrid Attack Method:
- Utilizes a phone call, two SMS messages, and trick users into installing malware.
- First SMS tricks victims into calling a certain number by claiming to have made significant, unlawful transactions, which gives the impression of urgency.
- Although there was no transaction in reality, the urgency motivates victims to act quickly.
Trozonized MacAfee App:
- The victims are told to install a trojanized version of the McAfee Security program from a given link during the phone call.
- This app looks harmless and has features similar to the original McAfee Security app, but it's actually the Brunhilda dropper.
- The victims are misled into assuming that the security software they are installing is authentic.
Execution of Vultur Payloads:
- Three payloads connected to Vultur are decrypted and executed via the Brunhilda dropper.
- Threat actors can carry out a variety of malicious operations, including keylogging and screen recording, on the victim's mobile device thanks to these payloads, which grant them total access over it.
- The infected device of the victim allows the threat actors to launch additional assaults or obtain private data.
Indication of the attack:
The symptoms of a Vultur banking Trojan infection include:
- Remote Access: This malware gives the hacker the ability to remotely use the infected device via clicking, scrolling, and swiping through Android's accessibility services.
- File Management: Through this, the malware is able to copy, share, remove, create, and locate files from devices it has infected.
- App Blocking: For instance; the malicious software can be programmed to stop the victims from opening a certain bunch of apps.
- Custom Notifications: Attackers can embed the malware with the functionality of displaying the customized notifications in the taskbar.
- Keyguard Disabling: The malware may be designed to turn off Screen Lock Guard feature so the lock screen security measure can be easily bypassed.
- Encrypted C2 Communication: The malware chooses AES data encryption, with Base64 text encoding to provide hidden traces for C2 communication.
- Payload Decryption: The malware uses native code, mostly written in C as well as C++, to decode the goods, thus, making a process of reversing more complicated.
- Spying on Financial Apps: The malware uses screen-streaming and keylogging as ways of acquiring facts about the victim’s mobile banking applications.
Indicator of Compromise:
File hash (SHA-256)
- edef007f1ca60fdf75a7d5c5ffe09f1fc3fb560153633ec18c5ddb46cc75ea21
- 89625cf2caed9028b41121c4589d9e35fa7981a2381aa293d4979b36cf5c8ff2
- 1fc81b03703d64339d1417a079720bf0480fece3d017c303d88d18c70c7aabc3
- 4fed4a42aadea8b3e937856318f9fbd056e2f46c19a6316df0660921dd5ba6c5
- 001fd4af41df8883957c515703e9b6b08e36fde3fd1d127b283ee75a32d575fc
- fc8c69bddd40a24d6d28fbf0c0d43a1a57067b19e6c3cc07e2664ef4879c221b
- 7337a79d832a57531b20b09c2fc17b4257a6d4e93fcaeb961eb7c6a95b071a06
- 7f1a344d8141e75c69a3c5cf61197f1d4b5038053fd777a68589ecdb29168e0c
- 26f9e19c2a82d2ed4d940c2ec535ff2aba8583ae3867502899a7790fe3628400
- 2a97ed20f1ae2ea5ef2b162d61279b2f9b68eba7cf27920e2a82a115fd68e31f
- c0f3cb3d837d39aa3abccada0b4ecdb840621a8539519c104b27e2a646d7d50d
- 92af567452ecd02e48a2ebc762a318ce526ab28e192e89407cac9df3c317e78d
- fa6111216966a98561a2af9e4ac97db036bcd551635be5b230995faad40b7607
- dc4f24f07d99e4e34d1f50de0535f88ea52cc62bfb520452bdd730b94d6d8c0e
- 627529bb010b98511cfa1ad1aaa08760b158f4733e2bbccfd54050838c7b7fa3
- f5ce27a49eaf59292f11af07851383e7d721a4d60019f3aceb8ca914259056af
- 5d86c9afd1d33e4affa9ba61225aded26ecaeb01755eeb861bb4db9bbb39191c
- 5724589c46f3e469dc9f048e1e2601b8d7d1bafcc54e3d9460bc0adeeada022d
- 7f1a344d8141e75c69a3c5cf61197f1d4b5038053fd777a68589ecdb29168e0c
- fd3b36455e58ba3531e8cce0326cce782723cc5d1cc0998b775e07e6c2622160
- 819044d01e8726a47fc5970efc80ceddea0ac9bf7c1c5d08b293f0ae571369a9
- 0f2f8adce0f1e1971cba5851e383846b68e5504679d916d7dad10133cc965851
- fb1e68ee3509993d0fe767b0372752d2fec8f5b0bf03d5c10a30b042a830ae1a
- d3dc4e22611ed20d700b6dd292ffddbc595c42453f18879f2ae4693a4d4d925a
- f4d7e9ec4eda034c29b8d73d479084658858f56e67909c2ffedf9223d7ca9bd2
- 7ca6989ccfb0ad0571aef7b263125410a5037976f41e17ee7c022097f827bd74
- c646c8e6a632e23a9c2e60590f012c7b5cb40340194cb0a597161676961b4de0
Command and Control Servers
- safetyfactor[.]online
- cloudmiracle[.]store
- flandria171[.]appspot[.]com (FCM)
- newyan-1e09d[.]appspot[.]com (FCM)
Droppers distribution URL’s
- mcafee[.]960232[.]com
- mcafee[.]353934[.]com
- mcafee[.]908713[.]com
- mcafee[.]784503[.]com
- mcafee[.]053105[.]com
- mcafee[.]092877[.]com
- mcafee[.]582630[.]com
- mcafee[.]581574[.]com
- mcafee[.]582342[.]com
- mcafee[.]593942[.]com
- mcafee[.]930204[.]com
Steps to be taken when your device is compromised?.
- Change the password: Vultur revealed multiple cases where threat actors can gain access to your financial and private information. To safeguard your account, reset passwords on other devices and create secure, unique passwords during the time. Instead of simply storing your password, a reputed password manager is the most secure way of storing information.
- Keep an eye on your transactions and accounts: It is advised that you regularly monitor your online accounts for any unusual or illegal activity. Keep a watch out for any irregularities, and report anything suspicious to the provider or authorities straight immediately.. Also check your credit reports and scores attentively to make sure that your identity or cards are not compromised.
- Make sure you are using identity theft protection: Many pieces of information about your identity are stored in an Android device. Cyber criminals can easily get hold of this data and make major damage to you, including stealing your money and identity. For your own protection, some of the identity theft protection services that monitor all your personal information and notify you on any unusual activity and, as well, helps you to freeze your accounts would be beneficial.
- Immediately get in touch with your banks and credit card companies: Your personal information such as credit card or bank details is of high risk to be exposed to hackers who could use them to make transactions without you knowing. You should inform your credit card and the lending bank about the situation as soon as possible. They would help you if your cards were used for fraudulent charges and your card be either frozen or canceled. Besides, they can get new cards issued.
- Make your contacts alert regarding the fraud you faced: Threat actors may access your social media or email accounts to send phishing messages or spam to people in your contact list, if they gain access to them. Moreover, they may masquerade as you and try to extort cash from you or disclose your personal information. Distributing a message to your contacts stating that they shouldn’t open or reply to any messages that look like they are not from you and look very strange or suspicious, will be a great idea.
- Make a backup and wipe all your device content in factory settings: You can always factory reset your device to ensure it is free of viruses and spyware. In other words, it will refresh Android and leave behind all your data and settings. Back up all the critical data prior to processing it and assure that everything is restored from a trustworthy source only.
Preventive measures to be taken:
- Avoid calling back to the hacker: If a hacker texts you claiming to have approved a sizable bank transaction, refrain from picking up the phone. You can always check by making a call to your own financial intuition. However, never pick up on an unknown number that someone else sends you.
- Avoid sideloading apps and shortened URLs: Try to avoid sideloading apps. That's the moment when you install apps from unofficial sources. Users may be tricked into downloading malware using short URLs.
- Be careful granting permissions: Be cautious when allowing permissions for apps. Think about whether an app really needs access to specific data or device functions.
- Limit the apps you have on your phone: On your phone, having plenty of apps might sometimes make it easier to become infected with malware. Over time, these apps may allow harmful code to enter your system, and the more programs you have to update and monitor, the greater the risk to your Android device. This is how to remove pointless apps from your Android device.
- Download apps from reputable sources: Additionally, make sure the programs you download are from reputable and authorized developers. Do your homework and read reviews before you install.
- Keep your Android device updated: With the help of software and security upgrades, your phone can automatically maintain security. Remember to install them.
- Have good antivirus software on all your devices: The best defense against malware on all of your devices is to install antivirus software. By blocking you from clicking on potentially dangerous links, antivirus software can keep malware off your devices and keep hackers from accessing your personal data.
Conclusion:
Vultur is a terrifying banking Trojan with a great deal of sophistication. It's unsettling that hackers can take complete control of your Android device, which emphasizes how crucial it is that you take precautions. It all starts with a text message in these attacks. You must take the time to independently contact your banking institution to check whether there are any issues. You may prevent having your entire device compromised and your personal information exposed by simply investing an additional few minutes.
Reference:
- https://research.nccgroup.com/2024/03/28/android-malware-vultur-expands-its-wingspan/
- https://www.threatfabric.com/blogs/vultur-v-for-vnc\
- https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/malware-adware/this-nasty-android-banking-trojan-lets-hackers-completely-hijack-your-phone-how-to-stay-safe
- https://thehackernews.com/2024/04/vultur-android-banking-trojan-returns.html?m=1
- https://www.smallbiztechnology.com/archive/2024/04/vultur-trojan-heightens-android-app-security-risks.html/
- https://securityaffairs.com/161320/malware/vultur-banking-trojan-android.html
- https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/android-trojan-spy-vultur
- https://www.scmagazine.com/brief/updated-vultur-android-banking-trojan-emerges
- https://innovatecybersecurity.com/security-threat-advisory/windows-server-updates-blamed-for-domain-controller-crashes-kb5035855-and-kb5035857/
Overview:
It is worth stating that millions of Windows users around the world are facing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) problem that makes systems shutdown or restart. This has been attributed to a CrowdStrike update that was released recently and has impacted many organizations, financial institutions, and government agencies across the globe. Indian airlines have also reported disruptions on X (formerly Twitter), informing passengers about the issue.
Understanding Blue Screen of Death:
Blue Screen errors, also known as black screen errors or STOP code errors, can occur due to critical issues forcing Windows to shut down or restart. You may encounter messages like "Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer." These errors can be caused by hardware or software problems.
Impact on Industries
Some of the large U. S. airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines had to issue ground stops because of communication problems. Also, several airports on Friday suffered a massive technical issue in check-in kiosks for IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express.
The Widespread Issue
The issue seems widespread and is causing disruption across the board as Windows PCs are deployed at workplaces and other public entities like airlines, banks, and even media companies. It has been pointed out that Windows PCs use a special cybersecurity solution from a company called CrowdStrike that seems to be the culprit for this outage, affecting most Windows PC users out there.
Microsoft's Response
The issue was acknowledged by Microsoft and the mitigations are underway. The company in its verified X handle Microsoft 365 status has shared a series information on the latest outage and they are looking into the matter. The issue is under investigation.
In one of the posts from Microsoft Azure, it is mentioned that they have become aware of an issue affecting Virtual Machines (VMs) running Windows Client and Windows Server with the CrowdStrike Falcon agent installed. These VMs may encounter a bug check (BSOD) and become stuck in a restarting state. Their analysis indicates that this issue started approximately at 19:00 UTC on July 18th. They have provided recommendations as follows:
Restore from Backup: In case customers have available backups prior to 19:00 UTC on July 18th, they should recover VM data from the backups. If the customer is using Azure Backup, they can get exact steps on how to restore VM data in the Azure portal. here.
Offline OS Disk Repair: Alternatively, customers can attempt offline repair of the OS disk by attaching an unmanaged disk to the affected VM. Encrypted disks may require additional steps to unlock before repair. Once attached, delete the following file:
Windows/System/System32/Drivers/CrowdStrike/C00000291*.sys
After deletion, reattach the disk to the original VM.
Microsoft Azure is actively investigating additional mitigation options for affected customers. We will provide updates as we gather more information.
Resolving Blue Screen Errors in Windows
Windows 11 & Windows 10:
Blue Screen errors can stem from both hardware and software issues. If new hardware was added before the error, try removing it and restarting your PC. If restarting is difficult, start your PC in Safe Mode.
To Start in Safe Mode:
From Settings:
Open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
Under "Advanced startup," select Restart now.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, you'll see a list of options. Select 4 or press F4 to start in Safe Mode. If you need to use the internet, select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
From the Sign-in Screen:
Restart your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, follow the steps above.
From a Black or Blank Screen:
Press the power button to turn off your device, then turn it back on. Repeat this two more times.
After the third time, your device will start in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
From the Choose an option screen, follow the steps to enter Safe Mode.
Additional Help:
Windows Update: Ensure your system has the latest patches.
Blue Screen Troubleshooter: In Windows, open Get Help, type Troubleshoot BSOD error, and follow the guided walkthrough.
Online Troubleshooting: Visit Microsoft's support page and follow the recommendations under "Recommended Help."
If none of those steps help to resolve your Blue Screen error, please try the Blue Screen Troubleshooter in the Get Help app:
- In Windows, open Get Help.
- In the Get Help app, type Troubleshoot BSOD error.
- Follow the guided walkthrough in the Get Help app.
[Note: If you're not on a Windows device, you can run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter on your browser by going to Contact Microsoft Support and typing Troubleshoot BSOD error. Then follow the guided walkthrough under "Recommended Help."]
For detailed steps and further assistance, please refer to the Microsoft support portal or contact their support team.
CrowdStrike’s Response:
In the statement given by CrowdStrike, they have clearly mentioned it is not any cyberattack and their resources are working to fix the issue on Windows. Further, they have identified the deployment issue and fixed the same. Crowdstrike mentions about their problematic versions as follows:
- “Channel file "C-00000291*.sys" with timestamp of 0527 UTC or later is the reverted (good) version.
- Channel file "C-00000291*.sys" with timestamp of 0409 UTC is the problematic version.
Note: It is normal for multiple "C-00000291*.sys files to be present in the CrowdStrike directory - as long as one of the files in the folder has a timestamp of 0527 UTC or later, that will be the active content.”
The CrowdStrike will be providing latest updates on the same and advises their customers and organizations to contact their officials officially to get latest updates and accurate information. It is encouraged to refer to customer’s support portal for further help.
Stay safe and ensure regular backups to mitigate the impact of such issues.
References:
https://status.cloud.microsoft/
https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/statement-on-falcon-content-update-for-windows-hosts/
Executive Summary:
A photo that has gone viral on social media alleges that the Indian company Patanjali founded by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev is selling a product called “Recipe Mix for Beef Biryani”. The image incorporates Ramdev’s name in its promotional package. However, upon looking into the matter, CyberPeace Research Team revealed that the viral image is not genuine. The original image was altered and it has been wrongly claimed which does not even exist. Patanjali is an Indian brand designed for vegetarians and an intervention of Ayurveda. For that reason, the image in context is fake and misleading.
Claims:
An image circulating on social media shows Patanjali selling "Recipe Mix for Beef Biryani”.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the viral image, the CyberPeace Research Team immediately conducted an in-depth investigation. A reverse image search revealed that the viral image was taken from an unrelated context and digitally altered to be associated with the fabricated packaging of "National Recipe Mix for Biryani".
The analysis of the image confirmed signs of manipulation. Patanjali, a well-established Indian brand known for its vegetarian products, has no record of producing or promoting a product called “Recipe mix for Beef Biryani”. We also found a similar image with the product specified as “National Biryani” in another online store.
Comparing both photos, we found that there are several differences.
Further examination of Patanjali's product catalog and public information verified that this viral image is part of a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation, likely to damage the reputation of the brand and its founder. The entire claim is based on a falsified image aimed at provoking controversy, and therefore, is categorically false.
Conclusions:
The viral image associating Patanjali and Baba Ramdev with "Recipe mix for Beef Biryani" is entirely fake. This image was deliberately manipulated to spread false information and damage the brand’s reputation. Social media users are encouraged to fact-check before sharing any such claims, as the spread of misinformation can have significant consequences. The CyberPeace Research Team emphasizes the importance of verifying information before circulating it to avoid spreading false narratives.
- Claim: Patanjali and Baba Ramdev endorse "Recipe mix for Beef Biryani"
- Claimed on: X
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
