Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
The Cyber Crime Police Station, Kumaun Range, recently conducted two impactful seminars aimed at promoting cyber awareness and safe online practices among diverse audiences. The seminars, held upon the requests of local educational and institutional leaders, emphasized the importance of online vigilance, especially as digital threats continue to rise.
The first seminar took place on November 6, at the Co-operative Dairy Training Institute in Lalkuan, following a request by the institute’s director. Sub-Inspector Vandana Chaudhary and Sub-Inspector Deepak Sati led this session, addressing the staff and management committee of local milk unions. Key topics included recognizing phishing and malware threats, practicing safe browsing and password management, and understanding data privacy. The seminar also featured insights on identifying and reporting suspicious online activities.
“We want to empower people to protect their digital identities and report anything suspicious,” said SI Vandana Chaudhary. “Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels responsible for maintaining online security.”
The second seminar was held on November 10 at R.A.N Public School in Rudrapur, organized upon the request of the school’s principal. Inspector Lalita Sharma from the Vigilance Department and SI Vandana Chaudhary spoke to an audience of parents, teachers, and students, highlighting the critical need for cyber safety awareness among young users. They educated the attendees on the essential practices to navigate the digital world safely, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding personal information.
Inspector Lalita Sharma commented, “With the rapid increase in online interactions, educating young users and their guardians is imperative. Our mission is to equip them with knowledge to prevent cyberbullying and online scams.”
Both seminars outlined essential takeaways:
1. Utilizing all features of the Uttarakhand Police app
2. Recognizing online threats like phishing, malware, and cyberbullying
3. Practicing safe browsing and password management
4. Protecting personal data and maintaining privacy
5. Reporting suspicious activities to authorities
The seminars also introduced crucial helpline portals to assist users in tackling cyber concerns. These include:
TAFCOP – A tool to verify the number of mobile numbers linked to an Aadhaar card
CEIR – For reporting stolen mobile devices
Stop NCII – A tool to support victims of non-consensual intimate image abuse
Chakshu – A portal for reporting suspected mobile numbers
NCRP – National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
Key helpline numbers were also shared for immediate assistance:
Cyber Crime Help Line: 1930
Police Help Line: 112
Anti-Corruption Helpline (Uttarakhand): 1064
Child Helpline: 1098
The seminars concluded with an appeal to “Stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay safe online.”
