#FactCheck: An image shows Sunita Williams with Trump and Elon Musk post her space return.

Introduction

A new dawn in the realm of cyber security and criminal justice is on the horizon. Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has recently announced the advent of the country's most sophisticated cyber lab—a bastion against the dark arts of cybercrime. This announcement, made with the gravitas befitting a statesman, was not merely a bureaucratic note; it was a clarion call to a future where technology and law converge to create a safer society.

The cyber lab, poised to be the largest and most modern of its kind, is not just a facility—it is a symbol of the state's commitment to harnessing the power of technology in the ceaseless battle against crime. Fadnavis, who also holds the state's home portfolio, underscored the significance of this initiative during a function where he also emphasised the need for the Maharashtra police to brace themselves for the enforcement of three transformative criminal laws set to take effect from the first of July 2024.

In compliance with the New Laws

These laws—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharat Sakshya Act—They are not mere statutory texts; they are the architects of a new edifice of criminal justice, designed with the mortar of modern electronic and technical evidence to buttress the conviction rates and fortify the legal system.

At the inauguration of the Evidence Management Centre (EMC) and the Evidence Dispatch Van (EDV) in Navi Mumbai, Fadnavis spoke with an air of prescience about the radical shifts these new acts will engender. The EMC, a paragon of innovation with its no-human-intervention ethos, is set to revolutionise the procedure of handling evidence, thereby amplifying the likelihood of securing convictions in an era increasingly marred by cyber frauds and hacking escapades.

Recent Trend

The Deputy Chief Minister's vision extends beyond the present, into a realm where blockchain technology becomes an ally of law enforcement, rendering evidence tampering an obsolete concern. Under the new legislative framework, expert collection of evidence is mandated for crimes with sentences exceeding seven years, a move that underscores the gravity with which digital and electronic evidence is now regarded.

The Cyber Lab

The Navi Mumbai police Commissionerate stands as the vanguard of this new legal era, being the first in the country to align with the upcoming laws. As digital transactions burgeon, so too does the evil of cybercrime. Fadnavis assures us that the cyberlaw, a veritable nexus of modernity, will bring together banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and social media platforms on a unified platform to detect and thwart crimes with alacrity.

This announcement was made in the presence of Maharashtra's Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla, and Navi Mumbai's police commissioner, Milind Bharambe, both of whom are key figures in the conception of this project. Their attendance shows the collective resolve of Maharashtra's law enforcement to elevate its capabilities in cybercrime prevention.

Conclusion

The establishment of this cyber lab is a vivid thread woven with the intent to protect the digital integrity of its citizens. It is a testament to the state's foresight and its unwavering commitment to staying abreast of the evolving landscape of crime and technology. As we stand on the cusp of this new era, we are reminded that the fight against crime is perennial, but with such pioneering initiatives, victory is not just a possibility—it is an inevitability.

References

• https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/navi-mumbai-cyber-lab-criminal-laws-fadnavis-9206801/
• https://www.the420.in/why-maharashtras-new-cyber-lab-could-be-a-game-changer-for-national-security/
• https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2024/03/navi-mumbai-to-host-indias-most-advanced-crime-busting-lab-boosting-conviction-rates-maharashtra-deputy-cm-fadnavis-announces/

‍

A few of us were sitting together, talking shop - which, for moms, inevitably circles back to children, their health and education. Mothers of teenagers were concerned that their children seemed to spend an excessive amount of time online and had significantly reduced verbal communication at home. 

Reena shared that she was struggling to understand her two boys, who had suddenly transformed from talkative, lively children into quiet, withdrawn teenagers. 

Naaz nodded. “My daughter is glued to her device. I just can’t get her off it! What do I do, girls? Any suggestions?”

Mou sighed, “And what about the rising scams? I keep warning my kids about online threats, but I’m not sure I’m doing enough.”

Not just scams, those come later. What worries me more are the videos and photos of unsuspecting children being edited and misused on digital platforms,” added Reena.

The Digital Parenting Dilemma

For parents, it’s a constant challenge—allowing children internet access means exposing them to potential risks while restricting it invites criticism for being overly strict.

‘What do I do?’ is a question that troubles many parents, as they know how addictive phones and gaming devices can be. (Fun fact: Even parents sometimes struggle to resist endlessly scrolling through social media!)

‘What should I tell them, and when?’ This becomes a pressing concern when parents hear about cyberbullying, online grooming, or even cyberabduction.

‘How do I ensure they stay cybersafe?’ This remains an ongoing worry, as children grow and their online activities evolve.

Whether it’s a single-child, dual-income household, a two-child, single-income family, or any other combination, parents have their hands full managing work, chores, and home life. Sometimes, children have to be left alone—with grandparents, caregivers, or even by themselves for a few hours—making it difficult to monitor their digital lives. While smartphones help parents stay connected and track their child’s location, they can also expose children to risks if not used responsibly.

Breaking It Down

Start cybersafety discussions early and tailor them to your child’s age.

For simplicity, let’s categorize learning into five key age groups:

• 0 – 2 years
• 3 – 7 years
• 8 – 12 years
• 13 – 16 years
• 16 – 19 years

Let’s explore the key safety messages for each stage.

Reminder:

‍

Children will always test boundaries and may resist rules. The key is to lead by example—practice cybersafety as a family.

0 – 2 Years: Newborns & Infants

Pediatricians recommend avoiding screen exposure for children under two years old. If you occasionally allow screen time (for example, while changing them), keep it to a minimum. Children are easily distracted—use this to your advantage.

What can you do?

• Avoid watching TV or using mobile devices in front of them.
• Keep activity books, empty boxes, pots, and ladles handy to engage them.

‍

3 – 7 Years: Toddlers & Preschoolers

‍

Cybersafety education should ideally begin when a child starts engaging with screens. At this stage, parents have complete control over what their child watches and for how long.

What can you do?

• Keep screen time limited and fully supervised.
• Introduce basic cybersecurity concepts, such as stranger danger and good picture vs. bad picture.‍
• Encourage offline activities—educational toys, books, and games.
• Restrict your own screen time when your child is awake to set a good example.
• Set up parental controls and create child-specific accounts on devices.Secure all devices with comprehensive security software.

8 – 12 Years: Primary & Preteens

Cyber-discipline should start now. Strengthen rules, set clear boundaries, and establish consequences for rule violations.

What can you do?

• Increase screen time gradually to accommodate studies, communication, and entertainment.
• Teach them about privacy and the dangers of oversharing personal information.
• Continue stranger-danger education, including safe/unsafe websites and apps.
• Emphasize reviewing T&Cs before downloading apps.Introduce concepts like scams, phishing, deepfakes, and virus attacks using real-life examples.
• Keep banking and credit card credentials private—children may unintentionally share sensitive information.

Cyber Safety Mantras:

• STOP. THINK. ACT.
• Do Not Trust Blindly Online.‍‍

13 – 16 Years: The Teenage Phase

Teenagers are likely to resist rules and demand independence, but if cybersecurity has been a part of their upbringing, they will tolerate parental oversight.

What can you do?

• Continue parental controls but allow greater access to previously restricted content.
• Encourage open conversations about digital safety and online threats.
• Respect their need for privacy but remain involved as a silent observer.
• Discuss cyberbullying, harassment, and online reputation management.
• Keep phones out of bedrooms at night and maintain device-free zones during family time.
• Address online relationships and risks like dating scams, sextortion, and trafficking.

16 – 19 Years: The Transition to Adulthood

By this stage, children have developed a sense of responsibility and maturity. It’s time to gradually loosen control while reinforcing good digital habits.

What can you do?

• Monitor their online presence without being intrusive.Maintain open discussions—teens still value parental advice.
• Stay updated on digital trends so you can offer relevant guidance.
• Encourage digital balance by planning device-free family outings.

Final Thoughts

As a parent, your role is not just to set rules but to empower your child to navigate the digital world safely. Lead by example, encourage responsible usage, and create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing online challenges with you.

Wishing you a safe and successful digital parenting journey!

‍

Introduction

A famous quote, “Half knowledge is always dangerous”, but “Too much knowledge of anything can lead to destruction”. Recently very infamous spyware and malware named WyrmSpy and Dragon Egg were invented by a Chinese group of hackers APT41. The APT41 is a state-endorsed Clandstein active group based in the People’s Republic of China that has been active since 2012. In contrast to numerous countries-government supported, APT has a footprint record jeopardising both government organisations for clandestine activities as well as different private organisations or enterprises for their financial gain. APT41 group aims at Android devices through spyware wyrmspy and dragon egg, which masquerades as a legitimate application. According to the U.S. jury legal accusation from 2019 to 2020, the group was entangled in threatening over more than 100 public and private individuals and organisations in the United States and around the world.Moreover, a detailed analysis report was shared by the Lookout Threat Researchers, that has been actively monitoring and tracking both spyware and malware.

Briefing about how spyware attacks on Android devices take place

To begin with, this malware imitates a real source Android application to show some sort of notification. Once it is successfully installed on the user’s machine, proclaims multiple device’s permission to enable data filtration.

Wyrmspy complies with log files, photos, device locations, SMS(read and write), and audio recordings. It has also authenticated that there are no detection malware activities found on google play even after running multiple security levels. These malicious things are made with the intent to obtain rooting access privileges to the device and monitor activities to the specified commands received from the C2 servers.

Similarly, Dragon Egg can collect data files, contacts, locations, and audio recordings, and it also accesses camera photos once it successfully trade-off the device. Dragon egg receives a payload that is also known as “smallmload.jar”, which is either from APK(Android Packet Kit).

WyrmSpy initially masquerades as a default operation system application, and Dragon Egg simulates a third-party keyboard/ messaging application.

Overview of APT41 Chinese group background

APT41 is a Chinese-based stealth activity-carrying group that is said to be active since mid-2006. Rumours about APT41 that it was also a part of the 2nd Bureau of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Staff Department’s (GSD) 3rd Department. Owning to that fact, 2006 has seen 140+ organisations’ security getting compromised, ranging from 20 strategically crucial companies.APT is also recognised for rationally plundering hundreds of terabytes of data from at least 141 organisations between 2006 and 2013. It typically begins with spear-phishing emails to the targeted victims. These sent emails contain official templates along with language pretending to be from a legitimate real source, carrying a malicious attachment. As the victim opens the attached file, the backdoor bestows the control of the targeted machine to the APT groups machine. Once there is an unauthorised gain of access, the attacker visits and revisits the victim’s machine. The group remains dormant for lengthy durations, more likely for months or even for years.

Advisory points need to adhere to while using Android devices

• The security patch update is necessary at least once a week
• Clearing up unwanted junk files.
• Cache files of every frequently used application need to clear out.
• Install only required applications from
  Google play store.
• Download only necessary APK files only it comes from trusted resources.
• Before giving device permission, it is advisable to run your files or URLs on VirusTotal.com this website will give a good closure to the malicious intent.
• Install good antivirus software.
• Individuals need to check the source of the email before opening an attachment to it.
• Never collect or add any randomly found device to your system
• Moreover, the user needs to keep track of their device activity. Rather than using devices just for entertainment purposes, it is more important to look for data protection on that device.

Conclusion

Network Crack Program Hacker Group (NCPH), which grew as an APT41 group with malicious intent, earlier performed the role of grey hat hacker, this group somehow grew up greedy to enhance more money laundering by hacking networks, devices, etc. As this group conducts a supply chain of attacks to gain unauthorised access to the network throughout the world, targeting hundreds of companies, including an extensive selection of industries such as social media, telecommunications, government, defence, education, and manufacturing. Last but not least, many more fraud-making groups with malicious intent will be forming and implementing in the future. It is on individuals and organisations to secure themselves but practise basic security levels to safeguard themselves against such threats and attacks.