STF issues cyber advisory amid India-Pakistan tension  – myuttarakhandnews.com | Uttarakhand News in English | Dehradun News Today| News Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand latest news

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun As tensions escalate with India retaliating to the Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) cyber crime unit has issued a crucial advisory to prevent a potential spike in cyber attacks. The STF has warned that hostile entities may exploit the situation to spread fake news, create panic or target sensitive data through phishing and malware. In response, the STF deputy superintendent of police Ankush Mishra has urged the public to follow essential cyber security precautions. As per the STF’s advisory, citizens should steer clear of clicking unknown links, installing untrusted apps or donating through random bank links, as these could be traps set by malicious actors. Citizens are advised to share only official updates from verified government sources and to fact-check all photos, videos and news items before forwarding them. Reporting fake news to platforms and law enforcement has also been stressed as a civic responsibility in the advisory. The advisory also highlights key dangers to avoid. It strictly warns against sharing troop movements, strategic plans or deployment information, as such actions could aid adversaries. It asks people not to forward sensational or unverified information that may unknowingly spread misinformation. The STF has reiterated that cyber safety is a shared duty and calls on all residents to stay alert and responsible in their online behaviour. In case of financial cyber fraud, citizens are urged to immediately call the National Cybercrime Helpline at 1930 or report the incident on www.cybercrime.gov.in.