The Kashmir Pulse

SHOPIAN — District Police Shopian, in collaboration with The Kashmir Pulse news portal, organized a programme on cyber awareness at Government Degree College Shopian on Saturday. The program held in the college auditorium aimed at empowering individuals against cyber threats.

Among the key resource persons included chief guest SSP Shopian Ms Tanushree, IPS; ASP Shopian Showkat Rafiq Wani; DSP Headquarter Shopian; DSP DR; SHO Shopian; and State Taxation Officer Sarfaraz Ahmad. Sakeena Jabeen, the host and anchor, conducted the program proceedings.

The event drew a large audience, including school students, teacher faculties, and respected citizens. A cultural program presented by students entertained the audience and kept them engaged.

SSP Shopian Ms Tanushree reaffirmed the police's commitment to tackling emerging cybercrime threats, urging people, especially women, to approach the police with their concerns without any hesitation. She also said that people should not fall for lucrative offers online as these turn out to be scammers' tactics to victimize vulnerable netizens.

Showkat Rafiq Wani shared his experiences in dealing with cybercrime, recounting many cases and the tedious task of tracing cyber criminals to face the law. In a case of sextortion in Pulwama, he said, a victim lost over 55 lakh rupees, which the police managed to recover under his charge but he rued the poor knowledge people have about cyber criminals.

Sarfaraz Ahmad delivered an engaging and humorous presentation on emerging cyber threats and preventive measures, captivating the audience. His immersive style of addressing the audience captured their attention and was applauded for his efforts.

The program concluded with the presentation of mementoes and certificates to guests and participants, followed by a vote of thanks from Sakeena Jabeen.

It is pertinent to mention here that The Kashmir Pulse, known for organizing literary and awareness programs, has collaborated with government departments, including J&K Police and District Administration Pulwama, to educate the public on various issues.

Recently, it published an anthology titled "Perplexed Thoughts - Tales from Kashmir," featuring contributions from local writers and poets.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

The digital payments market has witnessed phenomenal growth in recent years. However, this rapid shift towards cashless transactions has also brought cybersecurity concerns to the forefront, particularly regarding point of sale (PoS) terminals.

According to a report by the PCI Security Standards Council, nearly half (48%) of data breaches in India during 2022 targeted PoS terminals. This statistic highlights the imperative need for strong security measures to protect sensitive customer data and ensure the continued success of the digital payments ecosystem.

PoS terminals are vulnerable to various security breaches despite modern encryption and firewall technology associated with online transactions. Attackers can target these terminals through multiple channels, including malware introduced via infected USB drives and physical tampering with the terminals. Outdated software on these terminals further exacerbates the security risks by creating gaps that hackers can exploit.

To ensure secure payment transactions and protect sensitive information, businesses and individuals must take several essential steps. These include implementing encryption technology, using secure payment gateways, enabling two-factor authentication and regularly updating software. These measures can help safeguard financial information, ensuring secure payment transactions while also reducing the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.

Common vulnerabilities exploited by cyber attackers

Cyber attackers employ various tactics to infiltrate PoS systems. Here are some of the most common vulnerabilities they exploit:

1. Malware: Malicious software, often disguised as legitimate applications, can be installed on PoS systems through phishing emails, infected websites or even removable storage devices. Once installed, malware can steal customer data or disrupt operations.
2. Weak Passwords: Simple or reused passwords make it easy for attackers to gain unauthorised access to PoS systems.
3. Outdated Software: Unpatched vulnerabilities in PoS software create openings for attackers to exploit.
4. Insecure Network Connections: Unsecured Wi-Fi networks or weak encryption protocols can leave data exposed during transmission.
5. Physical Security Gaps: Unaddressed physical security measures, such as unattended terminals or lack of employee training, can allow attackers to tamper with hardware or steal data directly.

Types of cyberattacks on PoS systems

• Skimming: Attackers install skimming devices on card readers to capture customer credit card information.
• RAM Scraping: Malware can scrape sensitive data like credit card details from a PoS system's temporary memory.
• Network Intrusion: Attackers may gain access to the PoS network to steal data or launch further attacks on the retailer's internal systems.

Consequences of PoS system breaches

A PoS system breach can have severe consequences for both retailers and customers. Here's what's at stake:

• Financial Loss: Retailers face financial penalties for data breaches, including fines and the cost of investigating and resolving the incident.
• Reputational Damage: A security breach can erode customer trust and damage a retailer's reputation
• Customer Identity Theft: Stolen customer data can be used for scheming purchases or sold on the dark web.

Tips for securing PoS systems

Fortunately, there are steps businesses can take to mitigate the risk of PoS system breaches. They are as follows:

1. Implement Strong Password Policies: Enforce complex, unique passwords for all PoS system users and enforce regular password changes.
2. Prioritise Software Updates: Regularly update PoS software and operating systems with the latest security patches.
3. Secure Your Network: Utilise firewalls, anti-virus software and data encryption to protect your network and data.
4. Invest in Secure Payment Processing: To safeguard sensitive data further, consider solutions like EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) chip technology and tokenisation.
5. Employee Training: Train employees on cybersecurity best practices, including phishing email identification and secure password management.
6. Maintain Physical Security: Implement measures like access control and video surveillance to deter physical tampering with PoS terminals.

Take action to fortify your PoS security

PoS systems are essential for modern businesses, but security must be a top priority. By adopting a multi-layered security approach, retailers can significantly reduce the risk of PoS system breaches.

Taking these precautions not only protects your business from financial losses and reputational damage but also builds trust with your customers, who increasingly value data security. For comprehensive PoS security solutions and industry-leading payment processing, consider exploring Pine Labs' secure payment terminals.

Pine Labs provides advanced security features, such as tokenisation and encryption, to safeguard sensitive customer data. They also offer specific PoS security solutions to ensure secure transactions with automated threat intelligence and a high-performance cybersecurity approach. With Pine Labs, merchants can focus on their core business activities with confidence in secure transactions.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

The digital payments market has witnessed phenomenal growth in recent years. However, this rapid shift towards cashless transactions has also brought cybersecurity concerns to the forefront, particularly regarding point of sale (PoS) terminals.

According to a report by the PCI Security Standards Council, nearly half (48%) of data breaches in India during 2022 targeted PoS terminals. This statistic highlights the imperative need for strong security measures to protect sensitive customer data and ensure the continued success of the digital payments ecosystem.

PoS terminals are vulnerable to various security breaches despite modern encryption and firewall technology associated with online transactions. Attackers can target these terminals through multiple channels, including malware introduced via infected USB drives and physical tampering with the terminals. Outdated software on these terminals further exacerbates the security risks by creating gaps that hackers can exploit.

To ensure secure payment transactions and protect sensitive information, businesses and individuals must take several essential steps. These include implementing encryption technology, using secure payment gateways, enabling two-factor authentication and regularly updating software. These measures can help safeguard financial information, ensuring secure payment transactions while also reducing the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.

Common vulnerabilities exploited by cyber attackers

Cyber attackers employ various tactics to infiltrate PoS systems. Here are some of the most common vulnerabilities they exploit:

1. Malware: Malicious software, often disguised as legitimate applications, can be installed on PoS systems through phishing emails, infected websites or even removable storage devices. Once installed, malware can steal customer data or disrupt operations.
2. Weak Passwords: Simple or reused passwords make it easy for attackers to gain unauthorised access to PoS systems.
3. Outdated Software: Unpatched vulnerabilities in PoS software create openings for attackers to exploit.
4. Insecure Network Connections: Unsecured Wi-Fi networks or weak encryption protocols can leave data exposed during transmission.
5. Physical Security Gaps: Unaddressed physical security measures, such as unattended terminals or lack of employee training, can allow attackers to tamper with hardware or steal data directly.

Types of cyberattacks on PoS systems

• Skimming: Attackers install skimming devices on card readers to capture customer credit card information.
• RAM Scraping: Malware can scrape sensitive data like credit card details from a PoS system's temporary memory.
• Network Intrusion: Attackers may gain access to the PoS network to steal data or launch further attacks on the retailer's internal systems.

Consequences of PoS system breaches

A PoS system breach can have severe consequences for both retailers and customers. Here's what's at stake:

• Financial Loss: Retailers face financial penalties for data breaches, including fines and the cost of investigating and resolving the incident.
• Reputational Damage: A security breach can erode customer trust and damage a retailer's reputation
• Customer Identity Theft: Stolen customer data can be used for scheming purchases or sold on the dark web.

Tips for securing PoS systems

Fortunately, there are steps businesses can take to mitigate the risk of PoS system breaches. They are as follows:

1. Implement Strong Password Policies: Enforce complex, unique passwords for all PoS system users and enforce regular password changes.
2. Prioritise Software Updates: Regularly update PoS software and operating systems with the latest security patches.
3. Secure Your Network: Utilise firewalls, anti-virus software and data encryption to protect your network and data.
4. Invest in Secure Payment Processing: To safeguard sensitive data further, consider solutions like EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) chip technology and tokenisation.
5. Employee Training: Train employees on cybersecurity best practices, including phishing email identification and secure password management.
6. Maintain Physical Security: Implement measures like access control and video surveillance to deter physical tampering with PoS terminals.

Take action to fortify your PoS security

PoS systems are essential for modern businesses, but security must be a top priority. By adopting a multi-layered security approach, retailers can significantly reduce the risk of PoS system breaches.

Taking these precautions not only protects your business from financial losses and reputational damage but also builds trust with your customers, who increasingly value data security. For comprehensive PoS security solutions and industry-leading payment processing, consider exploring Pine Labs' secure payment terminals.

Pine Labs provides advanced security features, such as tokenisation and encryption, to safeguard sensitive customer data. They also offer specific PoS security solutions to ensure secure transactions with automated threat intelligence and a high-performance cybersecurity approach. With Pine Labs, merchants can focus on their core business activities with confidence in secure transactions.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

KULGAM — Within the quaint locale of Wanpora in Kulgam district resides a 25-year-old luminary, Nafi Javaid, whose fusion of education and family support has propelled him into the realms of social media and technology. With a commitment to genuine content devoid of noise and cringe, NAFxx Tech has stood out as a beacon of educational tech content since 2021.

Unveiling the Scam: "Curative Survey EXPOSED"

In a recent video posted merely four days ago, titled "Curative Survey EXPOSED | Biggest Scam in Jammu and Kashmir," on the 'NAFxx Tech' channel, Nafi Javaid ignited a firestorm across the internet. The exposé revealed a colossal multi-crore scam orchestrated under the guise of the 'Curative Survey.'

The video came as a slap for the many social media influencers from Kashmir like Idrees Mir and Yawar Wani who had promoted the fraudulent company's app in their videos, influencing unsuspecting people to invest in the company to earn a 'good monthly income by filling online surveys'.

The revelations uncovered by NAFxx Tech have led to the physical closure of the company's offices, triggering protests by deceived investors demanding justice and the apprehension of local influencers who endorsed the fraudulent company.

Implications of the Deceitful Scheme on Investors

The ramifications of this deceitful scheme have affected a multitude of individuals, particularly students, who entrusted their hard-earned money. Promising to double investments within 10 to 15 days, the Chennai-based company, with multiple offices in Kashmir, preyed on people's aspirations.

NAFxx Tech, in a stern warning, cautioned the public against falling victim to such deceptive schemes, emphasizing that promises of doubling money in a matter of days are unrealistic and should be approached with scepticism.

Notably, the company's employees made outbound calls, luring individuals with promises of a monthly payment of 3000 rupees for fifteen months. Subscribers were enticed to deposit 5000 rupees initially, purportedly for completing online surveys. However, this surfaced as a mere prelude to a larger-scale fraud scheme.

NAFxx Tech: Journey from Gaming Content to Tech Expertise

Nafi's educational odyssey commenced with a Diploma in GPC from Anantnag, paving the way for his academic pursuit in Computer Science and Engineering at Lovely Professional University in Punjab, where he achieved a B.Tech degree.

Bypassing conventional career trajectories, Nafi delved into content creation, starting his YouTube journey in 2018 with a focus on gaming content. By 2022, he diversified his portfolio, exploring the expansive sphere of technology.

Operating under the alias "NAFxx," Nafi has carved a distinct niche for himself across platforms like YouTube and Facebook. In a conversation with a local media outlet, he disclosed that his journey was largely self-directed, refining his skills in editing and content creation through the plethora of resources available on YouTube.

Nafi's Advice for Creators: Pursuing Passion and Avoiding Shortcuts

Nafi's guidance for budding creators is both pragmatic and motivational. He advocates for pursuing one's passion, acquiring new skills, and avoiding the pitfall of confining aspirations to a single domain. His ethos revolves around eschewing shortcuts and maintaining focus on broader objectives.

Beyond personal success, Nafi actively addresses critical issues. He passionately urges the administration in Jammu and Kashmir to take stringent measures against cybercrimes. Additionally, he advocates for reining in the proliferation of gambling and betting apps, emphasizing the need for societal welfare.

Navigating Digital Realms: Nafi Javaid's Inspiring Trajectory

Amidst the ever-evolving digital landscape, Nafi Javaid stands as a beacon of self-motivated drive and familial solidarity. As he leaves an enduring imprint on social media, his journey becomes a compelling narrative for aspiring youth in Kashmir, emphasizing the transformative power of determination and unwavering family support.

In an era shaped by digital influence, Nafi Javaid’s trajectory serves as an inspiring testament to the fusion of personal passion and familial reinforcement. As he continues to shape his mark on the social media spectrum, his narrative resonates profoundly, illuminating the path for aspiring youngsters in Kashmir, underscoring the pivotal role of perseverance and steadfast familial backing in achieving one's dreams.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse