"Just like in the physical world, users in India should take precautions while engaging with the online world."
In a bid to promote internet safety, Google India announced their new initiative named #SecurityCheckKiya. They introduced the campaign on 5th February 2018.
It will launch on 6th February, as part of Safer Internet Day. The Indian branch aims to protect young people, as well as first-time web users from the potential dangers of the internet.
This will include protecting them from account hijacking, malicious apps and losing personal data from their Android devices.
They also hope to educate them and build up online security awareness. Once launched, it will present measures for security on Google India’s homepage.
#SecurityCheckKiya comes after Google India noticed an increase in first-time internet users. With smartphones becoming increasingly popular and available in the country, it’s no wonder more are accessing the online world.
Reports suggest the increase is due to easy access modes. However, many Indians still lack the technical knowledge to access the web safely. Leaving them as vulnerable targets to potential abuse and security risks.
Google India’s Director of Trust and Safety, Sunita Mohanty told reporters:
“Just like in the physical world, users in India should take precautions while engaging with the online world. While security is built into all of Google services, keeping the web safe for everyone is a shared responsibility.”
She also added: “We have noticed some cyber trends in India.
“For instance, abuse like malware, phishing, elements of financial fraud, are all on the rise in the Indian market. This is also a fragmented market with about 400 million users, which is expected to grow to 650 million users soon.”
#SecurityCheckKiya will present three steps to ensure Indians stay safe on the web. These are:
- Checking the security status of their phone and their Google account activity with the “Google Security” option. This will scan all apps, checking for vulnerabilities and how users can keep safe.
- Using Google Play Protect tools for scanning apps for potential malware before and after installation. They can also scan their devices for any malicious apps.
- Users can also download “Find My Device”, an app that can locate a lost handset and keeps all personal data on it secure.
Keep your logins close, your passwords closer, and your data closest. This #SaferInternetDay, if your answer to #SecurityCheckKiya is no, complete these 3 steps to do so. https://t.co/7yspEUDged pic.twitter.com/FBQZdecPnd
— Google India (@GoogleIndia) February 5, 2018
The number of online users in India is currently increasing, surpassing the 400 million mark in 2017. Experts believe this figure could increase to 730 million users by 2020, due to fast adoption rates in digital technology.
As a result, internet safety has become a key focus for the search giant. Sunita revealed that they aim to provide security measures for 100 million Indians by 2020.
On 30th January 2018, Google revealed that it removed 700,000 apps from the Google Play store in 2017. This marked a staggering 70% increase from the previous year. In addition, Google India has trained 30,000 teachers to help them with internet safety through open online courses.
They are designed to help teachers identify cyberbullying in which Sunita said: “We know that one-third of urban city teachers have seen at least one case of cyber-bullying, but they do not know how to react to this.
“We are trying to teach them how to complain about this on the product, for example, if it happens on Google there is the option of reporting or what to do in case it takes place on a social network.”
Information on #SecurityCheckKiya will be made available on the Google India website as part of Safer Internet Day from the 6th February 2018.
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