AN OPEN E-MAIL TO MY PRIME MINISTER

Respected Mr.Narendra Modiji,

Hearty congratulations for your grand victory in Loksabha polls. The contribution social media played in your victory may be debated on many forums hence forth but you were the most prominent political leader who used it to optimal. The result of such canvassing through social media may be one of the factors which lead to your exceptional success.

So it’s proven fact that youths of India are well responsive to social media. If some statistics are to believed then @60% of the teens, almost all youths, @40% middle aged persons and 20% senior citizens in India are connected to various online activities may it be mobiles, social media ,e-banking , online shopping so on and so forth.

But there is darker side of this online activity which should not be derelict. Today online activities are becoming very perilous and precarious to be relied upon. The Cyber Criminals are using this medium for their proceeds and ordinary, ill-educated and ill-equipped users are very easily falling in various traps. There are national as well as international cyber criminals and also state sponsored cyber criminals involved in most of these activities who are technologically more sophisticated equipped and backed by certain groups/organisation or even states.

May it be lottery mail, phishing fraud, banking fraud or credit card fraud the loss is only pecuniary in nature. But when it extends to defamation, pornography, abuse, extortion the consequences become more severe in nature and even lead to loss of life. And through web jacking, posting something which may lead to communal tension or communal hatred, Denial of service attacks on government websites there can be internal disturbances or tense relations with neighboring states or even cyber war within the globe and overall outcome would be huge loss of life or even threat to sovereignty of our motherland.

This is cause of worry for a common netizen like me because none of the people at high places are yet convinced that CYBER CRIMINLAS are capable of causing damages to this much extent. They have even failed to acknowledge CYBER CRIME as a serious and most eminent threat to sovereignty and integrity of the state. Forget about diagnosing the root cause of this possibility and preparing themselves for providing the much needed solutions.

This sheer apathy towards registration, investigation and subsequent arrests and trials in the matters of CYBER CRIMES by LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, have raised morals of Cyber criminals very high and demoralized entire community of cyber crime victims. And this is the situation I am most worried for!!!!!!

This e-mail is an effort to draw your and in turn of all the concerned bureaucracy’s attention towards most burning issue called as CYBER CRIMES.

It’s too early to expect some action from my prime minister but I am confident that my Prime Minister will certainly take a decisive action in curbing CYBER CRIMES by speedy and simplified registration procedure for CYBER CRIMES, proper investigation with aid of cyber forensics techniques available and speedy trials for putting these Cyber Criminals behind the bar. Also there should be nation wide CYBER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN to make netizens aware about inherent threats in online activities and make them prepared to fight the same and also available remedy in case some untoward incidence happens.

With the only intention of MAKING CYBERSPACE SECURE FOR ONE AND ALL, this small favor is sought from an ordinary netizen

Thanking you

Yours Sincerely

ADVOCATE MAHENDRA LIMAYE 

APPEAL TO JOIN MISSION CYBER AWARENESS

Most crime news reported in newspapers is significantly concerning Cyber Crimes. It might be online fraud or withdrawal of money even if Credit / Debit card is with the card owner or illegal online shopping from locations where card owner never visited in his life or sending abusive message or creating fake profile or data theft etc. It’s really alarming the way Cyber crimes are growing and people are losing their hard earned money or reputation.

But unfortunately victims are not aware about the remedial measures nor have courage/face to report the crime. And even if someone try to report the matter to police, the generous reception and understanding of Cyber crimes ,compels him to rethink about reporting the matter and the victim gives up.

Now this is win-win situation for Cyber criminals since crimes are not reported nor investigated. In such scenario what could be done?

Its collective responsibility of all the stake holders in fighting such cyber criminals and making netizens well prepared to protect their money/information/data/reputation /intellectual property etc.

As cyberspace user’s we are the one who should take a first leap by learning about How to use cyberspace securely. We must learn about security guidelines while carrying out online activities, chatting with the unknown people, carrying out baking/shopping transactions, uploading or sharing photographs/information etc. We should also learn about how to protect our sensitive personal information and how to protect data residing in our gadgets.

Second responsibility lies on educational institutes/schools/colleges. They can make CYBER AWARENESS as integral part of their curriculum and should try to update the knowledge of students on regular intervals. Currently very few schools/colleges are undertaking such initiatives. The only initiatives undertaken by colleges are related to ETHICAL HACKING WORKSHOPS, which are encouraging destructive mentality of the college students rather than channelizing their vigor in creative activities.

Third responsibility lies on Banks, Telecom Service Providers, Corporate, NGO’s and other institutes which are devoted / mandated under CSR to take up certain noble cause which could be of creating CYBER AWARENESS. They can achieve this by organizing Cyber Awareness Quiz, Poster competition, Guest Lectures, Debates, Display Cyber awareness hoardings etc.

The last and least responsibility is of the government which can be in the form of training, educating and equipping the police department and judiciary to investigate and adjudicate the cyber crimes.

Cyber Awareness Organisation is relentlessly working for creating awareness about CYBERSPACE/SOCIAL MEDIA/EXCESSIVE DEPENDANCE ON FREEWARES AND MOBILES ETC.

We appeal all the above mentioned stake holders to come forward and collectively work to make cyberspace free heaven so that future generation can use it without any fear. We appeal all the interested stake holders to join MISSION CYBER AWARENESS. For more details mailinfo@cyberorgindia.com or call 09422109619.

Can some good sense prevail and all the political parties will refrain themselves from falling in SOCIAL MEDIA trap

Cyber Awareness Organisation has been relentlessly working for awareness of various Cyber Security Issues and Cyber Awareness campaigns since last few years.

If recent news reports are to be believed, “Technology companies like Google Inc. and social networking websites like Twitter Inc.,Facebook,Whatsapp and many others, which get a majority of their revenue from online advertising, expect their India revenue to rise substantially this year with political parties spending more money on digital media than in the previous general election”. India’s poll campaign spend, has been estimated at Rs 30,000 crore ($4.9 billion) by the Centre for Media Studies, which tracks spending.

According to a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and market research firm IMRB, political parties set aside around 2-5% of their election budgets for spending on social media. Recent media reports have put the media spending by the Congress and the BJP during elections at about Rs.500 crore and Rs.400 crore, respectively.

 Facebook has launched a 'Register to Vote' initiative, while Twitter is offering a service where users can follow someone through a missed call or text message, the ASSOCHAM paper added. Now these “Register to Vote” or “Follow through missed call or Text message” will certainly enhance existing database of these social media sites and will be added feature for them in marketing further services.

The below mentioned explanation will prove the point I want to make. “These days many candidates go for paid campaigning through the social media. Those who focus on Facebook spend about Rs 4-5 to create a single fan. If there is a page with one lakh fans, you can imagine the total expenditure and amount generated by Social Media websites.

Apart from Facebook, candidates are also adopting digital strategies like delivery of recorded messages on mobile phones. An amount of Rs 10 per call is being spent on voice/data message. The campaigning through SMS mode has taken a back seat after TRAI issued strict guidelines on unwanted messages, sources said.

Applications like Whatsapp are widely used to reach to young voters by some candidates. Video sharing is another prominent strategy.

American multinational Google Inc recently submitted to Delhi High Court that it is not liable to pay any taxes in India for its internet activities, as it is not providing any taxable services or earning income from here nor does it have a permanent establishment in the country. Google Inc. has further contended in its affidavit that it "is not providing any taxable services in India, neither has a permanent establishment in India nor is it earning any income which is arising from or accruing in or deemed to be arising or accruing from India."Furthermore, Google Inc is not receiving any payment in the nature of 'royalty' which may be taxable either under the relevant Indian laws or under the Double taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and USA."
Same is case with all other social media service providers and hence very fundamental question comes in mind that Indian Elections are making these social media companies richer for which they are not paying any taxes in India. In other words estimated 2% of 30000 crore @600 crore will be paid to foreign based social media companies.
What a shame as on one hand election issues such as bringing Black money parked outside India back is bitterly fought all the national parties are officially transferring white money outside India.
Can some good sense prevail and all the political parties will refrain themselves from falling in this trap of money drain??????

"SNOOPING SCANDAL,MODI AND PROJECT PRISM"

Dear Indian Citizen,

The recent Snooping Scandal alleged in regime of Shri Narendra Modi has woken up entire media,ruling party and opposition on the ISSUE OF PRIVACY RIGHTS OF INDIAN CITIZEN AND DUTY OF THE STATE.The snooping incident is summarized as below.

Chief Minister of Gujarat was orally requested by an elderly person to have surveillance on his major daughter .The CM provided with the necessary arrangements (whether through written orders or oral communications is not established yet.) in response to the request.This incident dates back to 2009,i.e.4 years ago.

Now The ruling party Congress got hold of this information through COBRAPOST sting operation and CONGRESS is very furious about INVASION OF RIGHT TO PRIVACY OF INDIAN CITIZEN.They contain that Gujarat CM has has invaded PRIVACY OF INDIAN CITIZEN BY ORDERING TAPPING OF HER COMMUNICATIONS WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE AND CONSENT.

Portals Cobrapost and Gulail released a report and made public tapes in which Shah, a close aide of Modi, is purportedly heard directing the state police to monitor the movements of a young woman and a senior IAS officer. The websites alleged three key wings of the Gujarat police were involved in this snooping effort.

 “Can he violate the law by snooping upon every conversation of the girl? Can the chief minister be allowed to use the entire state resources to snoop and invade the privacy of one young woman even if her father made that request? “Under what provision of the law was the Indian Telegraph Act violated? Who should be punished for these violations?” ARE THE QUESTIONS RAISED BY RULING CONGRESS PARTY.

 Now compare this activity with PROJECT PRISM.

We know that through PROJECT PRISM National Security Agency of USA uses to gain access to the private communications of users of nine popular Internet services. The access is governed by Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which was enacted in 2008. A classified PowerPoint presentation leaked by Edward Snowden states that PRISM enables "collection directly from the servers" of Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook and other online companies.

This means that practically all the conversation,communications, file sharing, photo sharing etc. through ONLINE medium was,is and will be accessed by USA.

The bigger issue here is USA is invading PRIVACY OF NETIZEN of entire Universe and nobody has even raised a voice of concern EITHER FROM CONGRESS OR BJP?

Does this act of USA is not violation of INDIAN CONSTITUTION as per arguments of Congress Leaders? Are FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OR FOR THAT MATTER HUMAN RIGHTS are not violated by USA?

ARE WE AS A NATION CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAME?

It is very sorry state of affairs that NEITHER MEDIA NOR RULING PARTY NOR MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY is VOCAL on this issue and all of them CONCERNED ABOUT PRIVACY INVASION OF AN INDIVIDUAL.

The way news channels are debating this issue and amount of time devoted to this issue as compared to PROJECT PRISM ISSUE, only makes one understand that in this COUNTRY POLITICS IS ALWAYS FIRST,POLITICIANS ARE ALWAYS THE PRIORITY FOR TRP.

National Interest issues are neither PRIORITY of POLITICIANS NOR MEDIA.

I hope that at least this snooping incident will remind the people once again about PROJECT PRISM and make them more vocal.

CYBER CRIME HELPLINE

Cyber Crimes are growing at rapid pace and internet savvy people are falling prey to various criminal activities recently. There is immediate need to awake and aware these innocent people and provide them necessary guidance to protect themselves as well as critical infrastructures, which they are accessing on regular basis. There is also growing threat to Sensitive Personal Data of all the users.

 TO GUIDE VICTIMS OF CYBER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND TO PROVIDE THEM REMEDIAL ADVICE ,CYBER AWARENESS ORGANISATION has launched CYBER CRIME HELPLINE on +919225109900.

Any person can dial this number and avail remedial advice from following consultants.


1) Advocate Mahendra Limaye CYBER LEGAL CONSULTANT Nagpur
2) MrRakshit Tandon Cyber Security Professional Agra UP
3) Mr.N Vijayshanker Information Assurance Consultant Banglore
4) Mr.S.P.Shrivastava Retd. D G UP POLICE.
5) Mr.Kartikeya Paneri Cyber Legal Professional Ahmebadabad
6) Mr.Sunil Shrivastava Cyber Forensic Professional Delhi
7) Mr.Rahul Jamgade Computer Security Consultant Banglore
8) Mr.Rajat Agrawal Info sec consulant Jaipur
9) Mrs.Utpal Mehta Consultant Vadodara
11) Adv.Tarun Kanjolia Chandigarh
12) Adv.Gurpreet Singh Monga Delhi

For more queries please call on 09422109619

AN APPEAL TO I T PROFESSIONALS BASED IN US.

“HEMA”, Uncle Sam is watching you article in TOI dated 10/8 2013 affirms views that after Edward Snowden incident, Uncle Sam will be more cautious in its approach and all the employees working for Project Prism will be under scanner. Defense Information System Agency (DISA) will work for “Insider Threat” Program developed by President Obama administration in order to prevent further embarrassment to US .This program has identified certain Threat Indicators which may include your political views, frequency of travel to your native country, your financial position etc.

The reason for this Insider Threat Program may be justified by US on backdrop of Snowden incident but how much success it will yield? Does this program provide a warning for non-US nationals associated with PROJECT PRISM? How many people really know that they are working for this MASS SURVELLIANCE PROGRAM? Can the US act of keeping track of all the electronic correspondence be justified by any Sovereign country?

There are various questions which need answers and I find it strange that all the intellectuals across the India are keeping mum on these serious issues. Rather than debating the possible outcome of this Insider Threat program, we are giving US a clean cheat in this whole Surveillance program by terming as Educative Program.

I foresee following fall outs of this Insider Threat Program.

1)      The nationals other than US nationals will be subject to unnecessary inconvenience in all the walks of life.

2)      Their all activities will be under scanner.

3)      There conversations/communications will be under surveillance.

4)      Their trips to native country might be curtailed and will be subject to approval from Defense Ministry.

5)      They will be compelled to quit on smallest lapse or error in their job responsibility.

In other words all the I T Professionals working in US will be looked upon by suspicion and there life will be nightmarish in future.

This is time for all I T Professionals working in US to have a courage and come back to India in order to make India a strong I T Force in future.

National Crimes Record Bureau 2013 – 60% (reported) growth in CYBER CRIMES.

National Crimes Record Bureau has recently published its report for year 2012.The reports in its chapter 18 regarding CYBER CRIMES has revealed some interesting facts. I have made an effort to analyse the same. The analysis is as below. 
1)      The overall growth in Cyber Crimes in India is 60% as compared to 2012. (This is only reported figure and hence the unreported cyber crimes which are very large in number does not find place in this data.) 
2)      Chhattisgarh has shown most phenomenon growth of 2350% and Kerala the most literate state has shown 18% growth in cyber crimes reporting. (In case of Chhattisgarh the fact may be police are better trained and hence booked crimes under proper sections of I T, which might not have happened previous year.)  
3)      Surprisingly Karnataka, the I T Hub of India has seen growth of 172% and the Financial Capital housing Maharashtra has shown 53% growth in reporting of Cyber Crimes.(Maybe the I T Hub provides more opportunities for cyber criminals.) 
4)      West Bengal with 355%, UP with 103% are other centurion states. 
5)      City wise Kolkata has outperformed all by 1033% growth, followed by Surat 700%, Agra 340%, Mumbai 312% and my Nagpur has witnessed 118% growth in reporting of Cyber Crimes.(The growth in reporting of cyber crimes is encouraging as it makes police and netizens more vigilant. The other reason might be due to increased CYBER AWARENESS Campaigns appealing netizens to come forward and report the complaints so that crimes might be investigated.) 
6)      The arrest statistics is really worrying as it confirms involvement of maximum youths in Cyber crimes.61% are between age group of 18-30 and 28% between age group of 30-45.(This is cause of concern since India will by youngest Democracy by 2020 and by then its maximum netizens would be under threat from fellow netizens. The maximum efforts need to be concentrated on training netizens to make ethical uses of Internet and related applications.) 
7)      The other worrying element is ever after its inception in year 2000 and further amendments in year 2008 Information Technology Act has not gone well with law enforcement agencies which still tend to book cyber crimes under IPC provisions.( These IPC provisions are not fully capable of covering all aspects of Cyber Crimes. ) 
8)      The most surprising thing is that even NCRB seems to be unaware about I T Act amendmentsAnd has mentioned only sections 65/66/67.( After amendments in 2008 I T Act has sections 65,66,66A,B,C,D,E,F AND 67A,B,C but neither our police authorities have updated knowledge nor our highest agency officials i.e. NCRB has shown concern to change the old profarma  wherein provisions of old I T Act sections 65.66 and 67 are available.  

In such situation what will be fate of victim? 
Advocate Mahendra Limaye