Tell me its a joke: Indian Govt joins hands with Microsoft to ‘Secure’ Our PC

NEW DELHI - The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and software giant Microsoft Corp Wednesday jointly launched a website ’secureyourpc.in’, which will provide vital information to internet users on how to combat online threats. ‘The more you use cyberspace, the more you become vulnerable to online threats. India will eventually have the largest number of youth population in the world and the use of PC (personal computer) will increase exponentially with time,’ R. Chandrashekhar, special secretary in the ministry of information technology, said after the website launch.

CERT was established by the Department of Information Technology to help its efforts counter online threats and crimes.

Chandrashekhar, who later chaired a panel discussion on online safety, said through the launch of this website the critical issue of online security was brought to the forefront.

CERT director general Gulshan Rai said phishing sites, a major threat to business websites, were being created outside the country.

‘The issue of online safety and security is becoming more pivotal. So far, it has affected the banking sector and now it’s also affecting other sectors,’ he told the panel of experts.

Shyamal Ghosh, chairman of the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), said the council had embarked on a massive plan to enhance awareness about online security and users’ safety.

‘Several recent cases, related to instances of data theft, hacking and harassment of internet users, are a problem that is growing day by day. This portal (secureyourpc.in) would help use internet in a safer environment,’ Ghosh said.

The experts also felt that with more children, women and business people using broadband in India there would be a greater need for online security tools.

Suparna Pandhi, senior director and head of services division at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said the website would ‘empower the users to be vigilant and alert while using computers and the internet’.

They further advocated stricter laws to minimise cyber crimes and urged the government to make amendments in the IT Act to give more teeth to it.