Forget passwords, use a pass-phrase

At a seminar on cyber security at the Welingkar Institute of Management, Matunga, Mumbai Commissioner of Police D Sivanandan urged citizens to report cases of cyber stalking and promised that the cyber crime cell will deal with such cases with sensitivity. “The Internet can be used as tool to attack, but it is also an area that is being targeted today,” he said.

At a seminar on cyber security at the Welingkar Institute of Management, Matunga, Mumbai Commissioner of Police
D Sivanandan urged citizens to report cases of cyber stalking and promised that the cyber crime cell will deal with such cases with sensitivity. “The Internet can be used as tool to attack, but it is also an area that is being targeted today,”
he said.

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He also stressed the need for citizens to be alert with the information they divulge on the web. “Most of our online communication is unauthenticated and we live under the illusion that we are secure,” said
K K Mookhey, founder, Network Intelligence India Pvt Ltd.

He advised users to install licensed operating systems so patches can be uploaded regularly. He also stressed the importance of using strong “pass-phrases instead of passwords” and changing them regularly. Pass-phrases use a combination of words and numbers and are safer. “Email accounts can easily be hacked with the amount of personal information we give online, and it can happen to anyone,” he said.

A round table discussion on cyber terrorism was also held at the Indian Merchants Chamber, Churchgate.

“It is of paramount importance for businesses to get more aware of security measures. According to the survey only 6 per cent are victims of cyber crime. But 58 per cent are still unaware of whom to contact in case of a cyber crime,” he said.