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Today, let us talk about one of the key features of our digital lives – security. The safer their online habits are, the safer their data and devices will be. A branded security will make their devices and Internet connections secure, but their carelessness or ignorance can make them targets for cybercrimes. On the other hand, they can themselves unwittingly get involved in dubious activities online. With children being very smart about passwords and browsing history clearing, parents are often left in the dark about their digital lives.

Fret not, parental controls are there at your service. These are digital tools often included with your OS or security software package, which helps you to remotely monitor and control your child’s online activities.

Where Can I find them?

Many devices come with pre-installed PC tools that you have to set up and run. Go to Settings-> Parental controls or Screentime and proceed from there. As I mentioned, they are also offered as a part of your comprehensive security software package.

Why and How to Use Parental Controls

Parental controls help monitor and limit your children's smartphone usage, ensuring they access only age-appropriate content. If your child is a minor, use of this tool is recommended, with the full knowledge of your child/ren. Let them know that just as you supervise them in public places for their safety, and guide them on rights and wrongs, you will use the tool to monitor and mentor them online, for their safety. Emphasize that you love them and trust them but are concerned about the various dubious and fake characters online as well as unsafe websites and only intend to supervise them. As they grow older and display greater responsibility and maturity levels, you may slowly reduce the levels of monitoring. This will help build a relationship of mutual trust and respect.

Step 1: Enable Parental Controls

• iOS: If your child has an iPhone, to set up the controls, go to Settings, select Screen Time, then select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Android: If the child has an Android phone, you can use the Google Family Link to manage apps, set screen time limits, and track device usage.
• Third-party apps: Consider security tools like McAfee, Kaspersky, Bark, Qustodio, or Norton Family for advanced features.

Check out what some of the security software apps have on offer:

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If you prefer Norton, here are the details:

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McAfee Parental Controls suite offers the following features:

McAfee also outlines why Parental Controls matter:

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Lastly, let us take a look at what Quick Heal has on offer:

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STEP 2: Set up Admin Login

Needless to say, a parent should be the admin login, and it is a wise idea to set up a strong and unique password. You do not want your kids to outsmart you and change their accessibility settings, do you? Remember to create a password you will remember, for children are clever and will soon discover where you have jotted it down. 

STEP 3: Create Individual accounts for all users of the device

Let us say two minor kids, a grandparent and you, will be using the device. You will have to create separate accounts for each user. You can allow the children to choose their own passwords, it will give them a sense of privacy. The children or you may (or may not) need to help any Seniors set up their accounts.

Done? Good. Now let us proceed to the next step.

STEP 4: Set up access permissions by age

Let us first get grandparents and other seniors out of the way by giving them full access. when you enter their ages; your device will identify them as adults and guide you accordingly. 

Now for each child, follow the instructions to set up filters and blocks. This will again vary with age – more filters for the younger ones, while you can remove controls gradually as they grow older, and hence more mature and responsible. Set up screen Time (daily and weekends), game filtering and playtime, content filtering and blocking by words (e.g. block websites that contain violence/sex/abuse). Ask for activity reports on your device so that you can monitor them remotely This will help you to receive alerts if children connect with strangers or get involved in abusive actions.

Save the data and it has done! Simple, wasn’t it?

Additional Security

For further security, you may want to set up parental controls on the Home Wi-Fi Router, Gaming devices, and online streaming services you subscribe to.

Follow the same steps. Select settings, Admin sign-in, and find out what controls or screen time protection they offer. Choose the ones you wish to activate, especially for the time when adults are not at home.

Conclusion

Congratulations. You have successfully secured your child’s digital space and sanitized it. Discuss unsafe practices as a family, and make any digital rule breaches and irresponsible actions, or concerns, learning points for them. Let their takeaway be that parents will monitor and mentor them, but they too have to take ownership of their actions.

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Introduction

In a distressing incident that highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud, a software engineer in Bangalore fell victim to fraudsters who posed as police officials. These miscreants, operating under the guise of a fake courier service and law enforcement, employed a sophisticated scam to dupe unsuspecting individuals out of their hard-earned money. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, as several cases of similar fraud have been reported recently in Bangalore and other cities. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of these scams and adopt preventive measures to protect themselves.

Bangalore Techie Falls Victim to ₹33 Lakh

The software engineer received a call from someone claiming to be from FedEx courier service, informing him that a parcel sent in his name to Taiwan had been seized by the Mumbai police for containing illegal items. The call was then transferred to an impersonator posing as a Mumbai Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), who alleged that a money laundering case had been registered against him. The fraudsters then coerced him into joining a Skype call for verification purposes, during which they obtained his personal details, including bank account information.

Under the guise of verifying his credentials, the fraudsters manipulated him into transferring a significant amount of money to various accounts. They assured him that the funds would be returned after the completion of the procedure. However, once the money was transferred, the fraudsters disappeared, leaving the victim devastated and financially drained.

Best Practices to Stay Safe

1. Be vigilant and skeptical: Maintain a healthy level of skepticism when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, especially if they involve sensitive information or financial matters. Be cautious of callers pressuring you to disclose personal details or engage in immediate financial transactions.
2. Verify the caller’s authenticity: If someone claims to represent a legitimate organisation or law enforcement agency, independently verify their credentials. Look up the official contact details of the organization or agency and reach out to them directly to confirm the authenticity of the communication.
3. Never share sensitive information: Avoid sharing personal information, such as bank account details, passwords, or Aadhaar numbers, over the phone or through unfamiliar online platforms. Legitimate organizations will not ask for such information without proper authentication protocols.
4. Use secure communication channels: When communicating sensitive information, prefer secure platforms or official channels that provide end-to-end encryption. Avoid switching to alternative platforms or applications suggested by unknown callers, as fraudsters can exploit these.
5. Educate yourself and others: Stay informed about the latest cyber fraud techniques and scams prevalent in your region. Share this knowledge with family, friends, and colleagues to create awareness and prevent them from falling victim to similar schemes.
6. Implement robust security measures: Keep your devices and software updated with the latest security patches. Utilize robust anti-virus software, firewalls, and spam filters to safeguard against malicious activities. Regularly review your financial statements and account activity to detect any unauthorized transactions promptly.

Conclusion:

The incident involving the Bangalore techie and other victims of cyber fraud highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and adopting preventive measures to safeguard oneself from such scams. It is disheartening to see individuals falling prey to impersonators who exploit their trust and manipulate them into sharing sensitive information. By staying informed, exercising caution, and following best practices, we can collectively minimize the risk and protect ourselves from these fraudulent activities. Remember, the best defense against cyber fraud is a well-informed and alert individual.

Overview:

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) officially revealed on the 31st of July 2024 that its client C-Edge Technologies had been subject to a ransomware attack. These circumstances have caused C-Edge to be separated from retail payment systems to  eliminate more threats to the national payment systems. More than 200 cooperative and regional rural banks have been affected leading to disruptions in normal services including ATM withdrawals and UPI transactions.

About C-Edge Technologies:

C-Edge Technologies was founded in the year 2010 especially to meet the specific requirements of the Indian banking and other allied sectors accentuating more on the cooperative and the regional rural banks. The company offers a range of services such as Core Banking Solutions by functioning as the center of a bank where customers’ records are managed and accounting of transactions takes place, Payment Solutions through the implementation of payment gateways and mobile banking facilities, cybersecurity through threat detection and incident response to protect banking organizations, data analytics and AI through the analytics of big banking data to reduce risks and detect frauds.

Details of Ransomware attack:

Reports say, this ransomware attack has been attributed by the RansomEXX group which primarily targeted Brontoo Technology Solutions, a key collaborator with  C-Edge, through a misconfigured Jenkins server, which allowed unauthorized access to the systems.

The RansomExx group also known as Defray777 or Ransom X utilized a sophisticated variant known as RansomEXX v2.0 to execute the attack. This group often targets large organizations and demands substantial ransoms.  RansomEXX uses various malware tools such as IcedID, Vatet Loader, and PyXie RAT. It typically infiltrates systems through phishing emails, exploiting vulnerabilities in applications and services, including Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).  The ransomware encrypts files using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), with the encryption key further secured using RSA encryption. This dual-layer encryption complicates recovery efforts for victims. RansomEXX operates on a ransomware-as-a-service model, allowing affiliates to conduct attacks using its infrastructure. Earlier in 2021,  it attacked StarHub and Gigabyte’s servers for ransome.

Impact due to the attack:

The immediate consequences of the ransomware attack include:

• Service Disruption: This has negative implications to consumers especially the citizens who use the banks to do their day to day banking activities such as withdrawals and online transactions. Among the complaints some of them relate to cases where the sender’s account has been debited without the corresponding credit to the receiver account.

• Isolation Measures: Likely, NPCI is already following the right measures as it had disconnected C-Edge from its networks to contain the proliferation of the ransomware. This decision was made as a precautionary measure so that all functional aspects in a larger financial system are safeguarded.

Operations resumed:

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said it has restored connectivity with C-Edge Technologies Ltd after the latter’s network connection was severed by NPCI over security concerns that were evaluated by an external forensic auditing firm. The audit affirmed that all affected systems were contained in order to avoid the occurrence of ransomware attack contagion. All the affected systems were localized in C-Edge’s data center and no repercussion was evidenced regarding the infrastructure of the cooperative banks or the regional rural banks that are involved in the business. Both NPCI and C-Edge Technologies have resumed normalcy so that the banking and financial services being offered by these banks remain safe and secure.

Major Implications for Banking Sector:

The attack on C-Edge Technologies raises several critical concerns for the Indian banking sector:

• Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: It also shows the weak linkages which are present within the technology system that help smaller sized banks. Nevertheless, the service has been offered by C-Edge regarding their cybersecurity solution, this attack evidence that the securities required should improve in all types of banks and banking applications.

• Financial Inclusion Risks: Co operative and regional rural banks also have its importance in the financial inclusion especially in rural and semi urban areas. Gradually, interruptions to their services pose a risk to signal diminished improvement in financial literacy for the excluded groups contrary to the common year advancement.

• Regulatory Scrutiny: After this event, agencies such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may enhance the examination of the banking sector’s cybersecurity mechanisms. Some of the directives may even require institutions to adhere to higher compliance measures regarding the defense against cyber threats.

Way Forward: Mitigation  

• Strengthening Cybersecurity: It is important to enhance the cyber security to eliminate this kind of attacks in the future. This may include using  better threat detection systems, penetration testing to find the vulnerabilities, system hardening, and network monitoring  from time to time.

• Transition to Cloud-Based Solutions: The application of adaptations in cloud solutions can contribute to the enhancement in operative efficiency as well as optimization in the utilization of resources. The security features of cloud should be implemented for  safety  and protection against cyber threats for SMEs in the banking sector.

• Leveraging AI and Data Analytics: Development of the AI-based solutions for fraud and risk control means that bank organizations get the chance to address threats and to regain clients’ trust.

Conclusion:

This ransomware attack in C-Edge Technologies in the banking sector provides a warning for all the infrastructures. Initial cleanup methodologies and quarantining are effective. The continuous monitoring of cyber security features in the infrastructure and awareness between employees helps to avoid these kinds of attacks.  Building up cyber security areas will also effectively safeguard the institution against other cyber risks in the future and fortify the confidence and reliability of the financial system, especially the regional rural banks.

Reference:

• https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/c-edge-technologies-a-deep-dive-into-the-indian-fintech-powerhouse-hit-by-major-cyberattack-439657-2024-08-01
• https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/customers-at-several-small-sized-banks-affected-as-tech-provider-c-edge-suffers-ransomware-attack/article68470198.ece
• https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/ransomware-attack-disrupts-over-200-co-operative-banks-regional-rural-banks-19452521.htm
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/ransomware-breach-at-c-edge-impacts-transactions-for-cooperative-banks/articleshow/112180914.cms
• https://www.emsisoft.com/en/blog/41027/ransomware-profile-ransomexx/

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