India's Cyber Swachhta Kendra and the Battle Against Botnet Infections
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/
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Pretext
On 20th October 2022, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a penalty of Rs. 1,337.76 crores on Google for abusing its dominant position in multiple markets in the Android Mobile device ecosystem, apart from issuing cease and desist orders. The CCI also directed Google to modify its conduct within a defined timeline. Smart mobile devices need an operating system (OS) to run applications (apps) and programs. Android is one such mobile operating system that Google acquired in 2005. In the instant matter, the CCI examined various practices of Google w.r.t. licensing of this Android mobile operating system and various proprietary mobile applications of Google (e.g., Play Store, Google Search, Google Chrome, YouTube, etc.).
The Issue
Google was found to be misusing its dominant position in the tech market, and the same was the reason behind the penalty. Google argued about the competitive constraints being faced from Apple. In relation to understanding the extent of competition between Google’s Android ecosystem and Apple’s iOS ecosystem, the CCI noted the differences in the two business models, which affect the underlying incentives of business decisions. Apple’s business is primarily based on a vertically integrated smart device ecosystem that focuses on the sale of high-end smart devices with state-of-the-art software components. In contrast, Google’s business was found to be driven by the ultimate intent of increasing users on its platforms so that they interact with its revenue-earning service, i.e., online searches, which directly affects the sale of online advertising services by Google. It was seen that google had created a dominant position among the android phone manufacturers as they were made to have a set of google apps preinstalled in the device to increase the user’s dependency on google services. The CCI felt that Google had created a dominant position to which they replied that the same operations are done by Apple as well, to which the commission responded that apple is a phone and app manufacturer and they have Apple-owned apps in Apple devices only, but Google here in had made a pseudo mandate for android manufactures to have the google apps pre-installed which is, in turn, a possible way of disrupting the market equilibrium and violative of market practices. The CCI imposed a penalty of Rs. 1,337.76 for abusing its dominant position in multiple markets in India, CCI delineated the following five relevant markets in the present matter –
- The market for licensable OS for smart mobile devices in India
- The market for app store for Android smart mobile OS in India
- The market for general web search services in India
- The market for non-OS specific mobile web browsers in India
- The market for online video hosting platforms (OVHP) in India.
Supreme Courts Opinion
In October 2022, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled that Google, owned by Alphabet Inc, exploited its dominant position in Android and told it to remove restrictions on device makers, including those related to the pre-installation of apps and ensuring exclusivity of its search. Google lost a challenge in the Supreme Court to block the directives, as the learned court refused to put a stay on the imposed penalty, further giving seven days to comply. The Supreme Court has said a lower tribunal—where Google first challenged the Android directives—can continue to hear the company’s appeal and must rule by March 31.
Counterpoint Research estimates that about 97% of 600 million smartphones in India run on Android. Apple has just a 3% share. Hoping to block the implementation of the CCI directives, Google challenged the CCI order in the Supreme Court by warning it could stall the growth of the Android ecosystem. It also said it would be forced to alter arrangements with more than 1,100 device manufacturers and thousands of app developers if the directives kick in. Google has been concerned about India’s decision as the steps are seen as more sweeping than those imposed in the European Commission’s 2018 ruling. There it was fined for putting in place what the Commission called unlawful restrictions on Android mobile device makers. Google is still challenging the record $4.3 billion fine in that case. In Europe, Google made changes later, including letting Android device users pick their default search engine, and said device makers would be able to license the Google mobile application suite separately from the Google Search App or the Chrome browser.
Conclusion
As the world goes deeper into cyberspace, the big tech companies have more control over the industry and the markets, but the same should not turn into anarchy in the global markets. The Tech giants need to be made aware that compliance is the utmost duty for all companies, and enforcement of the law of the land will be maintained no matter what. Earlier India lacked policies and legislation to govern cyberspace, but in the recent proactive stance by the govt, a lot of new bills have been tabled, one of them being the Intermediary Rules 2021, which has laid down the obligations nand duties of the companies by setting up an intermediary in the country. Such bills coupled with such crucial judgments on tech giants will act as a test and barrier for other tech companies who try to flaunt the rules and avoid compliance.
Introduction
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), on March 13 2023, published a new rule to regulate telemarketing firms. Trai has demonstrated strictness when it comes to bombarding users with intrusive marketing pitches. In a report, TRAI stated that 10-digit mobile numbers could not be utilised for advertising. In reality, different phone numbers are given out for regular calls and telemarketing calls. Hence, it is an appropriate and much-required move in order to suppress and eradicate phishing scammers and secure the Indian Cyber-ecosystem at large.
What are the new rules?
The rules state that now 10-digit unregistered mobile numbers for promotional purposes would be shut down over the following five days. The rule claim that calling from unregistered mobile numbers had been banned was published on February 16. In this case, using 10-digit promotional messages for promotional calling will end within the following five days. This step by TRAI has been seen after nearly 6-8 months of releasing the Telecommunication Bill, 2022, which has focused towards creating a stable Indian Telecom market and reducing the phoney calls/messages by bad actors to reduce cyber crimes like phishing. This is done to distinguish between legitimate and promotional calls. According to certain reports, some telecom firms allegedly break the law by using 10-digit mobile numbers to make unwanted calls and send promotional messages. All telecom service providers must execute the requirements under the recent TRAI directive within five days.
How will the new rules help?
The promotional use of a cellphone number with 10 digits was allowed since the start, however, with the latest NCRB report on cyber crimes and the rising instances and reporting of cyber crimes primarily focused towards frauds related to monetary gains by the bad actors points to the issue of unregulated promotional messages. This move will act as a critical step towards eradicating scammers from the cyber-ecosystem, TRAI has been very critical in understanding the dynamics and shortcomings in the regulation of the telecom spectrum and network in India and has shown keen interest towards suppressing the modes of technology used by the scammers. It is a fact that the invention of the technology does not define its use, the policy of the technology does, hence it is important to draft ad enact policies which better regulate the existing and emerging technologies.
What to avoid?
In pursuance of the rules enacted by TRAI, the business owners involved in promotional services through 10-digit numbers will have to follow these steps-
- It is against the law to utilise a 10-digit cellphone number for promotional calls.
- You should stop doing so right now.
- Your mobile number will be blocked in the following five days if not.
- Users employed by telemarketing firms are encouraged to refrain from using the system in such circumstances.
- Those working for telemarketing firms are encouraged not to call from their mobile numbers.
- Users should phone the company’s registered mobile number for promotional purposes.
Conclusion
The Indian netizen has been exposed to the technology a little later than the western world. However, this changed drastically during the Covid-19 pandemic as the internet and technology penetration rates increased exponentially in just a couple of months. Although this has been used as an advantage by the bad actors, it was pertinent for the government and its institutions to take an effective and efficient step to safeguard the people from financial fraud. Although these frauds occur in high numbers due to a lack of knowledge and awareness, we need to work on preventive solutions rather than precautionary steps and the new rules by TRAI point towards a safe, secured and sustainable future of cyberspace in India.
Introduction
Since February 2020 the government has been taking keen steps to safeguard the Indian markets and the consumer, this could be seen in the forms of policies and exemptions for the market players and the consumers, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the markets places became vulnerable to loss and various forms of new crimes and frauds. The Government recently tabled the Jan Vishwas bill which is an aftermath of the Vivad se Vishwas Bill, 2020 which was tabled in February 2020 for creating a safe and dynamic market, this bill is a clear example of how AtmaNirbhar Bharat plays a crucial role in nations development.
What is Jan Vishwas Bill, 2022
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 is a 108-page bill introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states, “To amend certain enactments for decriminalizing and rationalizing minor offenses to further enhance trust-based governance for ease of living and doing business.” The bill aims to promote ease of doing business in India by decriminalizing minor offences and amending 183 provisions in 42 Acts administered by 19 ministries. The bill proposes to replace minor offences with monetary penalties and rationalize existing monetary penalties based on the gravity of the offences. The Acts to be amended by the bill include-
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
- Public Debt Act, 1944
- Pharmacy Act, 1948
- Cinematograph Act, 1952
- Copyright Act, 1957
- Patents Act, 1970
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Trade Marks Act, 1999l Railways Act, 1989
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- Legal Metrology Act, 2009
- Factoring Regulation Act, 2011
The bill aims to decriminalize a large number of minor offences and replace them with monetary penalties. This step by the government is a clear indication of how important the market regulations are, in recent times Google was imposed with a penalty of 1300 crores and 900 crores for violating competitive market practices, these penalties, and criminalised actions will ensure proper compliance to laws of the land thus creating a blanket of safeguards for the Indian consumer and netizen.
What will the Ease of Business be?
The Government has been critical in pinpointing various parameters and factors to improve the ease of business in the country, this bill comes at the right time when we can see numerous start-ups and entrepreneurs emerging in our country. The parameters are as follows-
- Starting a Business of all
- Dealing with Construction Permits
- Getting Electricity
- Registering Property
- Getting Credit
- Protecting
- Minority Investors
- Paying Taxes
- Trading across Borders
- Enforcing Contracts and Resolving Insolvency
These parameters have been created with a sight on the future of the markets and how external factors like the Russia-Ukraine war can influence the markets. According to Minister Piyush Goyal, the fear of imprisonment for minor offences is a major factor hindering the growth of the business ecosystem and individual confidence in India. The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2022 aims to address this issue by replacing minor offences with monetary penalties. The bill also proposes an increase of 10% in the minimum amount of fine and penalty levied after every three years, once the bill becomes a law.
Conclusion
The bill will create a level playing field for the market players and the consumers with the backing of strong legislation and precedents thus maintaining transparency and accountability in the system. The amended provisions will allow various already existing legislation to come in tune with the current times and emerging technologies. The nation is at a critical juncture to fabricate policies and laws to address the issues and threats of the future and hence such a bill will be the strengthening pillar of the Indian markets and cyber-ecosystem. The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2022 has been referred to a 31-member joint parliamentary committee for scrutiny. The committee includes members from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and will submit its report to parliament by the second part of the Budget session in 2023, The members from the Lok Sabha include PP Chaudhary, Sanjay Jaiswal, Queen Ojha, Rajendra Agrawal, Gaurav Gogoi, A Raja, Rajendra Agarwal, Poonam Pramod Mahajan, and Sougata Ray.
