Social media has greatly changed in the past few decades. Today, we are witnessing a paradigm shift in our interactions with the globe. Recently a time came when it was the only mode of touch with the outer world. But with its share of so many positives, there are some negatives too, which are hard to ignore.

1. Cybercriminals are
Weaponizing Social
Media and
Jeopardizing Privacy

2. Social media has greatly changed in the past few decades. Today, we are
witnessing a paradigm shift in our interactions with the globe. Recently a time
came when it was the only mode of touch with the outer world. But with its share
of so many positives, there are some negatives too, which are hard to ignore.
No doubt, social media has given us a good enough laugh but we need to be
aware of it at the same time. This place can be weaponized easily to spread
hatred and misinformation and promote scams. Dr Shekhar Kanti Sarkar considers
it a serious problem that needs to be addressed with strict laws.

3. Dr Sarkar is a Deputy Registrar of Administration and the campus In-charge of the Guwahati Campus of
Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya. Dealing with young minds on a daily basis, he
understands the seriousness of this medium and how grave its consequences can be if not dealt with on
time.
The social media platforms which made us fall in love with their interfaces and interactions are
opportunities for cybercriminals too. According to Dr S K Sarkar, trust is expensive and can be taken
for granted in today’s digital times. Since this is what lays the very foundation of social media handles,
there is a deep pool of personal data available everywhere. Even people are sharing their important
details without giving them much thought. And, this blind trust is costing us heftily as these pools of
information can be easily stolen and are used either for creating synthetic identities or for identity thefts.
With the massive use of social media today, cybercrimes have also evolved and now exist in multiple
forms, which can easily impact your social media handling. Dr Sekhar Kanti Sarkar also agrees with
the fact that cybercrimes have gone wild these days because everyone has access to social media and
anonymous interaction has become very easy. Users are more susceptible to the below-listed attacks
now:

4. Malware
If you are clicking on links which you do not recognize in any way
or if you open anonymous attachments sent to you, you are paving
the way for potential malware infections. Malware is nothing but
malicious software, designed specifically to cripple or take over your
computer system. In addition to this, it also has the ability to install
viruses in your system.

5. Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is not just for the police or the federal systems;
cybercriminals have their own types too. They use this to look out
for people on social media platforms to prey upon. The information,
thus, gathered will be used to create fake profiles or to impersonate
somebody. This can lead to situations where sensitive information
can be leaked to take advantage of somebody.

6. Social engineering
Social engineering is yet another way of smoothly stealing
information or people’s identities. This information is then used for
personal gains or financial fraud. The method mostly involves
hackers collecting all the possible personal information about the
individual and then constructing phishing emails about the same.
There can be other communication methods too, with which, they
can easily gain access to their personal or financial details.
And, the list does not end here!

7. Today, there are multiple laws that govern social media usage in the country, which can help you
safeguard your privacy. For instance, any criminal activity, even on the internet, will be addressed
through the Indian Penal Code. Sections 499 and 500 of the law are primarily meant to protect
individuals against any form of social media abuse.
Dr S K Sarkar calls it just a start. Stricter social media rules and regulations are needed along with
that, there is a need to implement privacy control solutions more thoroughly to bring cybercrime under
control. It is always better not to overshare on the internet and know the audience with whom you are
connecting. The public profile must be under complete control and check what data you are publishing
through your handles.It’s time to take the lead in the right direction and fight cybercrime. Precautions
can help us go a long way, in keeping cybercrimes at bay. So, stay cautious and always overthink when
you are online!

8. For more details visit :-
https://www.apnnews.com/cybercriminals-are-weaponizing-social-media-and-jeopardizing-
privacy/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=cqFGgc1l6N7PScG6TDfkrD2ddB86CWKIBO0jYk3adUo-1677675134-0-
gaNycGzNCqU