#FactCheck - Viral Video of Argentina Football Team Dancing to Bhojpuri Song is Misleading

Introduction

India's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has unfurled its banner of digital hygiene, heralding the initiative 'Cyber Swachhta Pakhwada,' a clarion call to the nation's citizens to fortify their devices against the insidious botnet scourge. The government's Cyber Swachhta Kendra (CSK)—a Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre—stands as a bulwark in this ongoing struggle. It is a digital fortress, conceived under the aegis of the National Cyber Security Policy, with a singular vision: to engender a secure cyber ecosystem within India's borders. The CSK's mandate is clear and compelling—to detect botnet infections within the subcontinent and to notify, enable cleaning, and secure systems of end users to stymie further infections.

What are Bots?

Bots are automated rogue software programs crafted with malevolent intent, lurking in the shadows of the internet. They are the harbingers of harm, capable of data theft, disseminating malware, and orchestrating cyberattacks, among other digital depredations.

A botnet infection is like a parasitic infestation within the electronic sinews of our devices—smartphones, computers, tablets—transforming them into unwitting soldiers in a hacker's malevolent legion. Once ensnared within the botnet's web, these devices become conduits for a plethora of malicious activities: the dissemination of spam, the obstruction of communications, and the pilfering of sensitive information such as banking details and personal credentials.

How, then, does one's device fall prey to such a fate? The vectors are manifold: an infected email attachment opened in a moment of incaution, a malicious link clicked in haste, a file downloaded from the murky depths of an untrusted source, or the use of an unsecured public Wi-Fi network. Each action can be the key that unlocks the door to digital perdition.

In an era where malware attacks and scams proliferate like a plague, the security of our personal devices has ascended to a paramount concern. To address this exigency and to aid individuals in the fortification of their smartphones, the Department of Telecommunications(DoT) has unfurled a suite of free bot removal tools. The government's outreach extends into the ether, dispatching SMS notifications to the populace and disseminating awareness of these digital prophylactics.

Stay Cyber Safe

To protect your device from botnet infections and malware, the Government of India, through CERT-In, recommends downloading the 'Free Bot Removal Tool' at csk.gov.in.' This SMS is not merely a reminder but a beacon guiding users to a safe harbor in the tumultuous seas of cyberspace.

Cyber Swachhta Kendra

The Cyber Swachhta Kendra portal emerges as an oasis in the desert of digital threats, offering free malware detection tools to the vigilant netizen. This portal, also known as the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre, operates in concert with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and antivirus companies, under the stewardship ofCERT-In. It is a repository of knowledge and tools, a digital armoury where users can arm themselves against the specters of botnet infection.

To extricate your device from the clutches of a botnet or to purge the bots and malware that may lurk within, one must embark on a journey to the CSK website. There, under the 'Security Tools' tab, lies the arsenal of antivirus companies, each offering their own bot removal tool. For Windows users, the choice includes stalwarts such as eScan Antivirus, K7 Security, and Quick Heal. Android users, meanwhile, can venture to the Google Play Store and seek out the 'eScan CERT-IN Bot Removal ' tool or 'M-Kavach2,' a digital shield forged by C-DAC Hyderabad.

Once the chosen app is ensconced within your device, it will commence its silent vigil, scanning the digital sinews for any trace of malware, excising any infections with surgical precision. But the CSK portal's offerings extend beyond mere bot removal tools; it also proffers other security applications such as 'USB Pratirodh' and 'AppSamvid.' These tools are not mere utilities but sentinels standing guard over the sanctity of our digital lives.

USB Pratirodh

'USB Pratirodh' is a desktop guardian, regulating the ingress and egress of removable storage media. It demands authentication with each new connection, scanning for malware, encrypting data, and allowing changes to read/write permissions. 'AppSamvid,' on the other hand, is a gatekeeper for Windows users, permitting only trusted executables and Java files to run, safeguarding the system from the myriad threats that lurk in the digital shadows.

Conclusion

In this odyssey through the digital safety frontier, the Cyber Swachhta Kendra stands as a testament to the power of collective vigilance. It is a reminder that in the vast, interconnected web of the internet, the security of one is the security of all. As we navigate the dark corners of the internet, let us equip ourselves with knowledge and tools, and may our devices remain steadfast sentinels in the ceaseless battle against the unseen adversaries of the digital age.

References

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/five-government-provided-botnet-and-malware-cleaning-tools/articleshow/107951686.cms
• https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/cyber-swachhta-kendra-free-botnet-detection-removal-tools-digital-india-8650425/

‍

‍

Executive Summary

A misleading  advertisement circulating in social media providing attractive offers like iPhone15, AirPods and Smartwatches from the Indian e-commerce platform ‘Myntra’. This “Myntra - Festival Gifts” scam aims to attract the unsuspecting users into a series of redirects and fake interactions to compromise their personal information and devices. It is important to stay vigilant to protect ourselves from misleading attractive offers. Through this report, the Research Wing of CyberPeace explains about a series of processes that happens when the link gets clicked. Through this knowledge, we aim to provide awareness and empower the users to guard themselves and not fall into deceptive offers that aim to scam them.   

False Claim

The widely shared WhatsApp message claims that Myntra  is offering a wide range of high-valued prizes including the latest iPhone 15, AirPods, various smartwatches among all as a Festival Gift promotion. The campaign invites the users to click on the link provided and take a short quiz to be eligible for the prize.

‍

The Deceptive Scheme

• The link in the social media post is tailored to work only on mobile devices, users are taken through a chain of redirects.
• Users are greeted with the Myntra's "Big Fashion Festival" branding accompanied by Myntra’s logo once they reach the landing page, which gives an impression of authenticity.
• Next, a simple quiz asks basic questions about the user's shopping experience with Myntra, their age, and gender.
• On the bottom of the quiz, there is a comment section that shows the comments from users who are supposedly provided with the prizes to look real,  
• After the completion of the quiz, users are presented with a Spin-to-Win mechanism, to win the prize. 
• After winning, a congratulatory message is displayed which says that the user has won an iPhone 15.
• The final step requires the user to share the campaign over WhatsApp in order to claim the prize.

 Analyzing the Fraudulent Campaign 

• The use of Myntra's branding and the promise of exclusive, high-value prizes are designed to attract  users' interest.
• The fake comments and social proof elements aim to create a false sense of legitimacy and widespread participation, making the offer seem more credible.
• The series of redirects, quizzes, and Spin-to-Win mechanics are tactics to keep users engaged and increase the likelihood of them falling for the scam.
• The final step of sharing the post on WhatsApp is a way for the scammers to further spread the campaign and compromise more victims. Through sharing the link over WhatsApp, users become unaware accomplices that are simply assisting the scammers to reach an even bigger audience and hence their popularity.

• The primary objectives of such scams are to gather users' personal information and potentially gain access to their devices. By luring users with the promise of exclusive gifts and creating a false sense of legitimacy, the scammers aim to exploit user trust and compromise their data, leading to potential identity theft, financial fraud, or the installation of potentially unwanted softwares.
• We have also cross-checked and as of now there is no well established and credible source or any official notification that has confirmed such an offer advertised by Myntra.
• Domain Analysis: If we closely look at the viral message, it is clearly visible that the scammers mentioned myntra.com in the url. However, the actual url takes the user to a different domain as the campaign is hosted on a third party domain instead of the official Website of Myntra, this raised suspicion. This is the common way to deceive users into falling for a Phishing scam. Whois information reveals that the domain has been registered not long ago i.e on 8th April 2024, just a few days back. Cybercriminals used Cloudflare technology to mask the actual IP address of the fraudulent website.

• Domain Name: MYTNRA.CYOU
• Registry Domain ID: D445770144-CNIC
• Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.hkdns.hk
• Registrar URL: http://www.hkdns.hk
• Updated Date: 2024-04-08T03:27:58.0Z
• Creation Date: 2024-04-08T02:58:14.0Z
• Registry Expiry Date: 2025-04-08T23:59:59.0Z
• Registrar: West263 International Limited
• Registrant State/Province: Delhi
• Registrant Country: IN
• Name Server: NORMAN.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM
• Name Server: PAM.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM

‍CyberPeace Advisory and Best Practices‍

• Do not open those messages received from social platforms in which you think that such messages are suspicious or unsolicited. In the beginning, your own discretion can become your best weapon.
• Falling prey to such scams could compromise your entire system, potentially granting unauthorized access to your microphone, camera, text messages, contacts, pictures, videos, banking applications, and more. Keep your cyber world safe against any attacks.
• Never, in any case, reveal such sensitive data as your login credentials and banking details to entities you haven't validated as reliable ones.
• Before sharing any content or clicking on links within messages, always verify the legitimacy of the source. Protect not only yourself but also those in your digital circle.
• For the sake of the truthfulness of offers and messages, find the official sources and companies directly. Verify the authenticity of alluring offers before taking any action.

Conclusion:

The “Myntra - Festival Gift” scam is a kind of manipulation in which the fraudsters exploit the trust of the users and take advantage of a popular e-commerce website. It is equally crucial to equip the users by imparting them knowledge on fraudulent behavior tactics like impersonating brands, creating fake social proof and application of different engagement strategies. We are required to remain alert and stand firm against cyber attacks. Be careful, make sure that information is verified and share awareness to help make a safe online environment for all users.

‍

Introduction

Over the past few months, cybercriminals have upped the ante with highly complex methods targeting innocent users. One such scam is a new one that exploits WhatsApp users in India and globally. A seemingly harmless picture message is the entry point to stealing money and data. Downloading seemingly harmless images via WhatsApp can unknowingly install malware on your smartphone. This malicious software can compromise your banking applications, steal passwords, and expose your personal identity. With such malware-laced instant messages now making headlines, it is advised for netizens to exercise extreme caution while handling media received on messaging platforms.

How Does the WhatsApp Photo Scam Work?

Cybercriminals began embedding malicious code in images being shared on WhatsApp. Here is how the attack typically works:

1.  The user receives a WhatsApp message from an unknown number with an image.
2. The image may appear harmless—a greeting, meme, or holiday card—but it's packed with hidden malware.
3. When the user taps to download the image, the malware gets installed on the phone in silent mode.
4. Once installed, the malware is able to capture keystrokes, read messages, swipe banking applications, swipe credentials, and even hijack device functionality.
5. Allegedly, in its advanced versions, it can exploit two-factor authentication (2FA) and make unauthorised transactions.

Who Is Being Targeted?

This scam targets both Android and iPhone users, with a focus on vulnerable groups like senior citizens, busy workers during peak seasons, and members of WhatsApp groups flooded with forwarded messages. Experts warn that a single careless click is enough to compromise an entire device.

What Can the Malware Do?

Upon installation, the malware grants hackers a terrifying level of access:

• Track user activity via keylogging or screen capture.
• Pilfer banking credentials and initiate fund transfers automatically.
• Obtain SMS or app-based 2FA codes, evading security layers.
• Clone identity information, such as Aadhaar details, digital wallets, and email access.
• Control device operations, including the camera and microphone.

This level of intrusion can result in not just financial loss but long-term digital impersonation or blackmail.

Safety Measures for WhatsApp Users

1. Never Download Media from Suspicious Numbers

Do not download any files or pictures, even if the content appears to be familiar, unless you have faith in the source. Spread this advice among family members, particularly the older generation.

2. Turn off Auto-Download in WhatsApp Settings

Navigate to Settings > Storage and Data > Media Auto-Download. Switch off auto-download for mobile data, Wi-Fi, and roaming.

3. Install and Update Mobile Security Apps

Ensure your phone is equipped with a good antivirus or mobile security app that is updated from time to time.

4. Block and Report Potential Scammers

WhatsApp offers the ability to block and report senders in a straightforward manner. This ensures that it notifies the platform and others as well.

5. Educate Your Community

Share your knowledge on cyber hygiene with family, friends, and colleagues. Many people fall victim simply because they aren't aware of the risks, staying informed and spreading the word can make a big difference.

Advisories and Response

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) and other state cyber cells have released several alerts on increasing fraud via messaging platforms. Law enforcement agencies are appealing to the public not only to be vigilant but also to report any incident at once through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in).

Conclusion

The WhatsApp photo scam is a stark reminder that not all dangers come with a warning. A picture can now be a Trojan horse, propagating silently from device to device and draining personal money. Do not engage with unwanted media, refresh and update your privacy and security settings. Cyber criminals survive on neglect and ignorance, but through digital hygiene and vigilance, we can fight against these types of emerging threats.

References

• https://www.opswat.com/blog/how-emerging-image-based-malware-attacks-threaten-enterprise-defenses
• https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news/whatsapp-photo-scam-alert-downloading-random-images-could-cost-you-big-2025-05-06-988855
• https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-is-the-whatsapp-image-scam-and-how-can-you-stay-safe-from-it-101744353412848.html
• https://faq.whatsapp.com/898107234497196/?helpref=uf_share
• https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/malware/malware-hiding-in-pictures-more-likely-than-you-think/
• https://faq.whatsapp.com/573786218075805
• https://www.reversinglabs.com/blog/malware-in-images

‍