Nehal Akhter
India’s digital revolution has transformed everyday life. From instant UPI payments and online banking to e-commerce, social media, and digital services, technology has made communication and transactions faster and more accessible than ever before. Still, this growing digital convenience has also created new opportunities for cybercriminals.
In recent years, incidents involving phishing attacks, fake investment schemes, identity theft, digital arrest scams, banking frauds, and AI-generated deepfakes have become increasingly common and at the same time many people assume cybercrime is driven primarily by sophisticated technology, cybersecurity professionals often point out that attackers frequently exploit something far simpler: human trust.
Cybercriminals use stories and false information to trick people into giving away important details or sending them money. Sometimes all it takes is one email or a suspicious phone call to cause big problems. People can lose a lot of money. Have their personal information stolen. Cyber threats are getting worse so it is really important for people to know what to look out for when they’re online. Awareness about cyber threats and people to keep themselves safe, from cybercriminals and cyber threats. Cyber threats are a problem and people need to be aware of cyber threats to protect themselves.
Among those working to promote cyber awareness is Md. Nehal Akhter, CIO at crime investigation bureau, a cybersecurity expert associated with cyber awareness and digital safety initiatives and also with the help of educational programmes, public interactions, podcasts, and awareness sessions, focuses on helping people understand how cybercriminals operate and how common online frauds can be identified before they cause harm.
According to Mr. Nehal, one of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity today is that many internet users remain unaware of the techniques used by fraudsters. “Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting human behaviour rather than technology alone. Awareness helps individuals recognise warning signs early and make safer decisions online,” he says. His awareness initiatives cover a wide range of topics including online financial frauds, UPI scams, social media security, digital privacy, identity theft, cyber hygiene, and emerging threats linked to artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies.
A significant part of his work involves simplifying complex cybersecurity concepts for everyday internet users, as the discussions, awareness campaigns, and educational content, he seeks to make cybersecurity more understandable and relevant to students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and senior citizens. One area that has generated growing public interest is the dark web and its connection to cybercrime and with the help of awareness-focused content and discussions, Mr. Nehal sought to explain how cybercriminal networks operate and why individuals must remain cautious about the information they share online.
While advanced security technologies play a crucial role in detecting and preventing cyber threats, technology alone cannot stop cybercrime. As artificial intelligence enables more sophisticated scams, including deepfakes and voice-cloning attacks, cyber awareness and education have become more important than ever. Experts believe that helping individuals and organisations understand emerging threats and adopt safe online practices is essential for staying secure in an increasingly digital world
Mr. Nehal feels that cybersecurity should not be viewed solely as a concern for technology professionals or large organisations. “Every smartphone user, online shopper, social media user, and digital banking customer has a role to play in protecting themselves online. Awareness is often the first and most effective layer of defence,” he says.
As India’s digital ecosystem continues to expand, experts agree that building a cyber-aware society will be critical to ensuring that people can benefit from technology safely and responsibly also as his continued efforts in cyber awareness and digital literacy, Md. Nehal Akhter remains focused on encouraging individuals to stay informed, remain vigilant, and adopt safer digital practices in an increasingly connected world.
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