The digital age has brought unprecedented convenience, but it has also opened doors to sophisticated cyber threats that target everyday users. From the mysterious dark web to elaborate digital arrest scams, cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics. In an eye-opening discussion, ethical hacker Vishwanath shares insider knowledge about the cyber threats lurking in our increasingly connected world.
What Is Ethical
Hacking?
The fundamental difference lies in intent and authorization.
Malicious hackers breach systems illegally to commit fraud, steal data, or
cause damage. Ethical hackers, however, use the same technical skills to help police departments solve cybercrimes and assist organizations in strengthening
their security infrastructure.
Understanding the
Dark Web
# The Three Layers of the Internet
Most people interact only with the surface web—the publicly
accessible portion indexed by search engines like Google and Bing. However, two
additional layers exist beneath this visible surface.
The deep web contains password-protected content such as
your Google Drive, government databases, and private organizational systems.
Only authorized individuals can access these resources, but everything remains
legal and legitimate.
Beyond these layers lies the dark web, accessible
exclusively through specialized browsers like Tor. This hidden realm operates
like a digital underworld where illegal activities flourish without easy traceability.
# What's Available on the Dark Web?
Cyber Crimes
Targeting Ordinary People
Young people, particularly students, have become prime
targets for fraudulent loan applications. These apps don't appear in legitimate
app stores and operate without proper KYC verification.
Scammers offer small loans of ₹5,000 without documentation,
which immediately raises red flags. Once victims accept these loans, they face
aggressive harassment demanding repayment of ₹45,000 or more. Tragically,
several young people have died by suicide due to this relentless pressure.
# NFC Payment Fraud
Contactless payment technology has introduced a new
vulnerability. Payment cards contain NFC chips that emit radio frequencies when
tapped at authorized POS machines.
However, criminals can purchase devices that intercept these
frequencies from a distance. Without any physical contact or authorization,
they can drain funds from victims' accounts simply by being nearby.
# Cracked Software Dangers
Many users download pirated versions of expensive software
like Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop to avoid purchase costs.
Cybercriminals exploit this behavior by embedding malicious viruses within
these cracked programs.
Once installed, the malware can encrypt your entire system
in a ransomware attack. All files become inaccessible, and victims receive
demands for Bitcoin payments to regain control of their data.
The Digital Arrest
Scam Explained
One of the most psychologically manipulative scams currently
circulating is the "digital arrest" fraud. This elaborate scheme
preys on people's fear of legal consequences through sophisticated social
engineering.
# How the Scam Unfolds
Victims receive calls from individuals claiming to represent
police, CBI, or customs authorities. The caller alleges that a parcel
containing drugs or illegal items has been intercepted with the victim's name
and address.
To add credibility, scammers send screenshots showing the
alleged parcel with accurate personal details. They then demand that victims
travel to distant cities for questioning—an intentionally difficult request.
# The Video Call Trap
When victims claim they cannot travel immediately, the
scammers propose a video call instead. During this call, fraudsters appear in
police uniforms with official-looking backgrounds featuring flags and law
enforcement symbols.
They aggressively question victims, creating intense panic
and fear. Eventually, another "senior official" joins the call,
escalating the intimidation.
The scammers then introduce the concept of "digital
arrest," claiming they will monitor the victim continuously via video.
Victims must remain isolated in a room, answering questions while being
recorded.
# The Payment Demand
After maintaining this psychological pressure, the
fraudsters finally reveal the true objective: payment. They claim that paying a
specific amount will make the entire investigation disappear.
In their panicked state, many victims comply without
questioning why police would accept money to drop charges. The fear induced by
seeing uniformed officers and official credentials overwhelms rational
thinking.
Ransomware Attacks on
Corporations
Ransomware represents one of the most devastating cyber
threats facing organizations today. Hackers create malicious software that
spreads across networks like a digital worm.
Once activated, the ransomware encrypts all data on
connected systems using complex algorithms. A banner appears on screens
demanding Bitcoin payments in exchange for the decryption key. Victims
typically receive a 24-hour deadline before their data gets permanently
deleted.
Major companies, including IBM, Cognizant, and others, have
fallen victim to such attacks. Despite ongoing efforts to develop solutions,
complete protection remains elusive because only the hackers possess the
private decryption keys.
Data Breaches and
Privacy Violations
# How Your Information Gets Stolen
Many people wonder how scammers obtain their phone numbers
and email addresses when they never shared this information. The answer lies in
data breaches.
Whenever you sign up for online services—often using
convenient "Sign up with Google" buttons—your information gets stored
on company servers. When hackers successfully breach these servers, they steal
massive databases containing user information.
This stolen data then circulates on the dark web, where
criminals purchase it for scam campaigns. Your information spreads far beyond
the original compromised website.
# The Xerox Shop Vulnerability
A surprisingly common data leak occurs at photocopy and
internet centers. Many establishments now ask customers to send documents via
WhatsApp or email for printing.
Once your files reach their devices, unscrupulous operators
can hack those accounts or sell the information to criminals. Even discarded
boarding passes and tickets pose risks because their barcodes and QR codes
contain retrievable personal data.
The Boarding Pass
Scam
Travel documents deserve special attention when disposing of
them. Boarding passes contain barcodes or QR codes that encode extensive
personal information.
In documented cases, victims received calls from people
impersonating airline staff who accurately recited their travel details—flight
numbers, seat assignments, dates, and names. The callers then claimed an
unauthorized person boarded the same flight and demanded KYC verification for
security purposes.
Through persistent pressure and panic creation, these
scammers eventually extract Aadhaar numbers, PAN cards, and banking details.
Therefore, always shred or tear such documents before disposal.
How to Protect
Yourself
Stay calm during unexpected calls. Panic is the primary
weapon used by cybercriminals. No legitimate law enforcement agency demands
immediate payments or conducts investigations via video calls.
Verify independently. If someone claims to represent an
organization, disconnect and call that organization's official number yourself.
Destroy sensitive documents. Shred boarding passes, tickets,
and any papers containing barcodes or QR codes.
Avoid cracked software. The money saved isn't worth the
ransomware risk.
Limit data sharing. Think twice before clicking "Sign
up with Google" on unfamiliar websites.
Maintain data backups. Regular backups protect against
ransomware encryption.
Cybersecurity as a
Career
The escalating threat landscape has created tremendous
opportunities in cybersecurity. As digital crimes continue increasing,
organizations desperately need skilled professionals who can defend against
these sophisticated attacks.
Ethical hacking has emerged as one of the top career paths
in the current employment market. Professionals in this field work with
corporations, government agencies, and law enforcement to combat the growing
tide of cyber threats.
Final Thoughts
We live in an era where money has become entirely digital,
residing not in our pockets but in our phones. This transformation means that
whoever controls your phone essentially controls your life.
Understanding cyber threats is no longer optional—it's
essential for everyone navigating the modern digital landscape. Awareness and
vigilance remain your strongest defenses against increasingly sophisticated
criminal tactics.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Can police legally demand money to drop charges during an
investigation?
No, legitimate law enforcement agencies never request payments
to resolve criminal investigations. Any such demand is a clear indication of a
scam. Always report such incidents to the actual police authorities immediately.
Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi for banking transactions?
Public Wi-Fi networks are vulnerable to interception
attacks. Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or making financial transactions on
unsecured networks. Use mobile data or a trusted VPN when conducting important
online activities.
How can I check if my personal data has been compromised in
a breach?
Several online services let you check whether your email
address appears in known data breaches. Websites like Have I Been Pwned provide
free breach notification services. If compromised, immediately change passwords
and enable two-factor authentication on affected accounts.
What should I do if I've already fallen victim to a digital
scam?
Contact your bank immediately to freeze accounts and prevent
further transactions. File a complaint with your local cybercrime cell or
through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Preserve all communication
evidence, including call logs, messages, and screenshots.
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