THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 28: Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta issued a series of tips and recommendations to Superintendents of Police (SPs) today on how to safeguard against fraudulent APK (Android Application Package) apps involved in cybercrime. He also instructed them to widely share these tips with the general public to raise awareness.
At a review meeting held at the State Police Headquarters, various security measures related to fake APK apps were thoroughly discussed.
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An Android Application Package (APK) is a file format used for distributing and installing apps, games, and other software on Android devices. These files contain all the necessary components to install and run an app.
Insights from the Meeting
During the session, the SP of Jamtara presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting strategies to combat cybercrime.
Cybercriminals’ Modus Operandi
It was revealed that cybercriminals often hide malware and viruses within fake APK files, making them appear like legitimate apps. Once users unknowingly install these files, cybercriminals can:
- Steal personal data,
- Access banking information, and
- Gain remote control of devices.
These tactics enable them to carry out cybercrimes effectively.
Tips to Stay Safe from Cybercrime
To protect against such threats, the DGP shared the following guidelines with SPs to promote among the public:
- Download apps only from official app stores.
- Install a reliable antivirus app on your phone.
- Avoid downloading apps from unknown sources.
- Keep your system updated regularly.
- Be cautious when using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in public places.
- Ignore suspicious calls, advertisements, links, or free offers.
- Turn off the automatic download mode on your device.
- Participate in police-run awareness campaigns on cybercrime prevention.
Meeting Participants
Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), SPs, and other police personnel from districts with technical expertise attended the meeting. Rajesh Kumar from I4C-MHA (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre) and his team also joined the session via video conferencing.
