Indian Institute of Cyber Security reposted this
CEO & Managing Director @ Indian Cyber Security Solutions | Founder @ Indian Institute of Cyber Security | CEO @ Secured AI-based Vulnerability-Assessment tool for Enterprise (SAVE) 🧿
🚨 How a ₹6.6 Lakh Scam Unfolded—and What You Can Learn from It! 🚨 Imagine this—you wake up, check your phone, and see an urgent message from your bank. It says, "Your account will be blocked unless you verify your details immediately!" Panic sets in. The message looks genuine, complete with the bank’s name and logo. There’s even a link to download an app to update your details. This is exactly what happened to a man from Mangaluru, Karnataka. Trusting the urgency of the message, he downloaded the APK file, thinking it was from Canara Bank. What followed was a nightmare—unauthorized transactions drained ₹6.6 lakh from his account, even though he never shared an OTP! How did it happen? The APK file was laced with malware. It disguised itself as a legitimate banking app, gained access to sensitive data, and bypassed security layers by intercepting OTPs silently in the background. This could happen to anyone. Cybercriminals today are smarter than ever, exploiting fear and urgency to trick even the most cautious users. They mimic trusted sources, use social engineering tactics, and create convincing interfaces to gain access to our data. So, how do you protect yourself? 1. Never download APK files from unknown sources. Always stick to Google Play Store or Apple App Store. 2. Verify the source of messages. Call your bank directly before acting on such alerts. 3. Review app permissions. Deny unnecessary access to contacts, SMS, or location. 4. Enable Google Play Protect. Regularly scan your device for vulnerabilities. 5. Use antivirus software. An additional layer of protection never hurts. 6. Stay informed. Scammers are evolving; your awareness should too. Final Thoughts This incident is a reminder that digital convenience can also invite digital threats. Awareness and proactive measures are our best defense. 👉 Have you encountered such scams before? How did you handle them? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #APKMalware #DigitalAwareness #TechTips #StaySafeOnline