#FactCheck - Uncovered: Viral LA Wildfire Video is a Shocking AI-Generated Fake!

Introduction

Holi 2025 is just around the corner. In fact, in the Braj region, Mathura and Vrindavan, the celebrations have already begun, starting from Basant Panchami on 2nd February 2025. Temples in Vrindavan are sprinkling flowers on devotees, creating mesmerising scenes with the spirit of devotion. While cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, etc., are all set, with pre-bookings for Holi events, parties and music festivals. 

However, in the current digital era, cybercriminals attempt to conduct manipulative campaigns to deceive innocent people. They attempt to send fake cashback offers, freebies, lucrative deals, giveaways, and phishing scams under the guise of Holi deals and offers. The upcoming festival of colors requires you to know the warning signs so you can remain alert and safeguard against digital scams.

How Scammers Might Target You 

Holi is a time for joy, colors, and celebrations, but cybercriminals see it as the perfect opportunity to trick people into falling for scams. With increased online shopping, event bookings, and digital transactions, scammers exploit the festive mood to steal money and personal information. Here are some common Holi-related cyber scams and how they operate:

1. Exclusive Fake Holi Offers

Scammers send out promotional messages via WhatsApp, SMS, or email claiming to offer exclusive Holi discounts. For example, you might receive a message like:
"Get 70% off on Holi color packs! Limited-time deal! Click here to order now."
However, clicking the link leads to a fraudulent website designed to steal your card details or make unauthorized transactions.

2.  Fake Holi Cashback Offers

You may get an SMS that reads:
"Congratulations! You’ve won ₹500 cashback for your Holi purchases. Claim now by clicking this link."
The link may take you to a phishing page that asks for your UPI PIN or bank login credentials, allowing scammers to siphon off your money.

3. Fake Quizzes to Win Freebies

Scammers circulate links to Holi-themed quizzes or surveys promising free gifts like branded clothing, sweets, or smart gadgets. These often ask users to enter personal details such as phone numbers, email addresses, or even Aadhaar numbers. Once entered, the scammers misuse this information for identity theft or further phishing attempts.

4. Fake Social Media Giveaways

Many fraudsters create fake Instagram and Facebook pages mimicking well-known brands, announcing contests with tempting prizes. For example:
"Holi Giveaway! Win a free Bluetooth speaker or chance to win smartphone by following us and sending a small registration fee!"
Once you pay, the page disappears, leaving you with nothing but regret.

5. Targeted Phishing Scams

During Holi, phishing attempts surge as scammers disguise themselves as banks, e-wallet services, or e-commerce platforms. You might receive an email with a subject like:
"Urgent: Your Holi order needs confirmation, update your details now!"
The email contains a fake link that, when clicked, prompts you to enter sensitive login information, which the scammers then use to access your account.

6. Clickbait Links on Social Media

Cybercriminals circulate enticing headlines such as:
"This New Holi Color Is Banned – Find Out Why!"
These links often lead to malware-infected pages that compromise your device security or steal browsing data.

7. Bogus Online Booking Platforms

With many people looking for Holi event tickets or holiday stays, scammers set up fake booking websites. Imagine you come across a site advertising "Holi Pool Party – Entry Just INR 299!" you eagerly make the payment, only to find out later that the event never existed.

How to Stay Safe This Festive Season

• Verify offers directly from official websites instead of clicking on random links.
• Avoid sharing personal or banking details on unfamiliar platforms.
• Look for HTTPS in website URLs before making any payments.
• Be cautious of unsolicited messages, even if they appear to be from known contacts.
• If an offer seems too good to be true, it it is likely a scam or deception.

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Conclusion:

As Holi 2025 approaches, make sure your online security remains a priority. Keep an eye on potential frauds that attempt to take advantage of the festive seasons like Holi. Protect yourself against various cyber threats. Before engaging with any Internet content, prioritize the verification of sources. Let us safeguard our celebrations with critical cyber security precautions. Wishing you all a cyber-safe and Happy Holi 2025!

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Introduction

Entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Global Education 2030 Agenda through the Sustainable Development Goal 4, UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning in collaboration with the Media and Information Literacy and Digital Competencies Unit has recently launched a Media and Information Literacy Course for Adult Educators. The course aligns with The Pact for The Future adopted at The United Nations Summit of the Future, September 2024 - asking for increased efforts towards media and information literacy from its member countries. The course is free for Adult Educators to access and is available until 31st May 2025.

The Course

According to a report by Statista, 67.5% of the global population uses the internet. Regardless of the age and background of the users, there is a general lack of understanding on how to spot misinformation, targeted hate, and navigating online environments in a manner that is secure and efficient. Since misinformation (largely spread online) is enabled by the lack of awareness, digital literacy becomes increasingly important. The course is designed keeping in mind that many active adult educators are yet to get an opportunity to hone their skills with regard to media and information through formal education. Self-paced, a total of 10 hours, this course covers basics such as concepts of misinformation and disinformation, artificial intelligence, and combating hate speech, and offers a certificate on completion. 

CyberPeace Recommendations

As this course is free of cost, can be done in a remote capacity, and covers basics regarding digital literacy, all eligible are encouraged to take it up to familiarise themselves with such topics. However, awareness regarding the availability of this course, alongside who can avail of this opportunity can be further worked on so a larger number can avail its benefits.

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CyberPeace Recommendations To Enhance Positive Impact  

1. Further Collaboration: As this course is open to adult educators, one can consider widening the scope through active engagement with Independent organisations and even Individual internet users who are willing to learn.
2. Engagement with Educational Institutions: After launching a course, an interactive outreach programme and connecting with relevant stakeholders can prove to be beneficial. Since this course requires each individual adult educator to sign up to avail the course, partnering with educational universities, institutes, etc. is encouraged. In the Indian context, active involvement with training institutes such as DIET (District Institute of Education and Training), SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training), NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training), and Open Universities, etc. could be initiated, facilitating greater awareness and more participation.
3. Engagement through NGOs: NGOs (focused on digital literacy) with a tie-up with UNESCO, can aid in implementing and encouraging awareness. A localised language approach option can be pondered upon for inclusion as well.

Conclusion

Though a long process, tackling misinformation through education is a method that deals with the issue at the source. A strong foundation in awareness and media literacy is imperative in the age of fake news, misinformation, and sensitive data being peddled online. UNESCO’s course launch garners attention as it comes from an international platform, is free of cost, truly understands the gravity of the situation, and calls for action in the field of education, encouraging others to do the same.

References

1. ‍https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/articles/media-and-information-literacy-course-adult-educators-launched
2. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/celebrating-global-media-and-information-literacy-week-2024
3. https://www.unesco.org/en/node/559#:~:text=UNESCO%20believes%20that%20education%20is,must%20be%20matched%20by%20quality.

Introduction

In an alarming event, one of India’s premier healthcare institutes, AIIMS Delhi, has fallen victim to a malicious cyberattack for the second time in the year. The Incident serves as a clear-cut reminder of the escalating threat landscape faced by the healthcare organisation in this digital age. In the attack, which unfolded with grave implications, the attackers not only explored the vulnerabilities present in the healthcare sector, but this also raised the concern about the security of patient data and the uninterrupted delivery of critical healthcare services. In this blog post, we will explore the incident, what happened, and what safety measures can be taken.

Backdrop

The cyber-security systems deployed in AIIMS, New Delhi, recently detected a malware attack. The nature and scope of the attack were both sophisticated and targeted. This second hack acts as a wake-up call for healthcare organisations nationwide. As the healthcare business increasingly depends on digital technology to improve patient care and operational efficiency, cybersecurity must be prioritised to protect sensitive data. To minimise cyber-attack dangers, healthcare organisations must invest in robust defences such as multi-factor authentication, network security, frequent system upgrades, and employee training.

The attempt was successfully prevented, and the deployed cyber-security systems neutralised the threat. The e-Hospital services remain to be fully secure and are functioning normally.

Impact on AIIMS

Healthcare services have been under hackers’ radar worldwide, and the healthcare sector has been impacted badly. The attack on AIIMS Delhi’s effects has been both immediate and far-reaching. The organisation, which is recognised for delivering excellent healthcare services and performing breakthrough medical research, faced significant interruptions in its everyday operations. Patient care and treatment processes were considerably impeded, resulting in delays, cancellations, and the inability to access essential medical documents. The stolen data raises serious concerns about patient privacy and confidentiality, raising doubts about the institution’s capacity to protect sensitive information. Furthermore, the financial ramifications of the assault, such as the cost of recovery, deploying more robust cybersecurity measures, and potential legal penalties and forensic analyses, contribute to the scale of the effect. The event has also generated public concerns about the institution’s ability to preserve personal information, undermining confidence and degrading AIIMS Delhi’s image.

Impact on Patients: The attacks not only impact the institutes but also have serious implications for the patients and here are some key highlights:

Healthcare Service Disruption: The hack has affected the seamless delivery of healthcare services at AIIMS Delhi. Appointments, surgeries, and other medical treatments may be delayed, cancelled, or rescheduled. This disturbance can result in longer wait times, longer treatment periods, and potential problems from delayed or interrupted therapy.

Patient Privacy and Confidentiality are jeopardised because of the breach of sensitive patient data. Medical data, test findings, and treatment plans may have been compromised. This breach may diminish patient faith in the institution’s capacity to safeguard their personal information, discouraging them from seeking care or submitting sensitive information in the future.

As a result of the cyberattack, patients may endure mental anguish and worry. Fear of possible exploitation of personal health information, confusion about the scope of the breach, and concerns about the security of their healthcare data can all have a negative impact on their mental health. This stress might aggravate pre-existing medical issues and impede total recovery.

Trust at stake: A data breach may harm patients’ faith and confidence in AIIMS Delhi and the healthcare system. Patients rely on healthcare facilities to keep their information secure and confidential while providing safe, high-quality care. A hack can doubt the institution’s ability to safeguard patient data, affecting patients’ overall faith in the organisation and potentially leading to patients seeking care elsewhere.

Cybersecurity Measures

To avoid future hacks and protect patient data, AIIMS Delhi must prioritize enhancing its cybersecurity procedures. The institution can strengthen its resistance to changing threats by establishing strong security practices. The following steps can be considered.

Using Multi-factor Authentication: By forcing users to submit several forms of identity to access systems and data, multi-factor authentication offers an extra layer of protection. AIIMS Delhi may considerably lower the danger of unauthorised access by applying this precaution, even in the case of leaked passwords or credentials. Biometrics and one-time passwords, for example, should be integrated into the institution’s authentication systems.

Improving Network Security and Firewalls: AIIMS Delhi should improve network security by implementing strong firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and network segmentation. These techniques serve to construct barriers between internal systems and external threats, reducing attackers’ lateral movement within the network. Regular network traffic monitoring and analysis can assist in recognising and mitigating any security breaches.

Risk Assessment: Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments are required to uncover possible flaws and vulnerabilities in AIIMS Delhi’s systems and infrastructure. Security professionals can detect vulnerabilities and offer remedial solutions by carrying out controlled simulated assaults. This proactive strategy assists in identifying and addressing any security flaws before attackers exploit them.

Educating and training Healthcare Professionals: Education and training have a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity practices in healthcare facilities. Healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, administrators, and support staff, must be well-informed about the importance of cybersecurity and trained in risk-mitigation best practices. This will empower healthcare professionals to actively contribute to protecting the patient’s data and maintaining the trust and confidence of patients.

Learnings from Incidents

AIIMS Delhi should embrace cyber-attacks as learning opportunities to strengthen its security posture. Following each event, a detailed post-incident study should be performed to identify areas for improvement, update security policies and procedures, and improve employee training programs. This iterative strategy contributes to the institution’s overall resilience and preparation for future cyber-attacks. AIIMS Delhi can effectively respond to cyber incidents, minimise the impact on operations, and protect patient data by establishing an effective incident response and recovery plan, implementing data backup and recovery mechanisms, conducting forensic analysis, and promoting open communication. Proactive measures, constant review, and regular revisions to incident response plans are critical for staying ahead of developing cyber threats and ensuring the institution’s resilience in the face of potential future assaults.

Conclusion

To summarise, developing robust healthcare systems in the digital era is a key challenge that healthcare organisations must prioritise. Healthcare organisations can secure patient data, assure the continuation of key services, and maintain patients’ trust and confidence by adopting comprehensive cybersecurity measures, building incident response plans, training healthcare personnel, and cultivating a security culture. Adopting a proactive and holistic strategy for cybersecurity is critical to developing a healthcare system capable of withstanding and successfully responding to digital-age problems.