Internet safety seminar organised separately by NGOs at University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Panjab University, Chandigarh on 20.07,2016.

Strong passwords, 2-step verification emphasized at Google Internet Safety Workshop

Chandigarh, July 20, 2016 : Need to have a strong and unique  password and use of 2-step verification and security key were among the host of measures emphasized at a Internet Safety Workshop organized by New Delhi based Consumer VOICE in partnership with Google and Citizens Awareness Group at University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Panjab University, on Wednesday. The workshop was part of a series of state workshops being organized across India.

Highlighting the best internet security practices in a Security Café conducted on behalf of Consumer VOICE and Google, Ms Rinki Sharma, said passwords being the first line of defense against cyber criminals, it is important that these be strong and unique  and be changed frequently.

She said with 2–step verification and security key, consumers can protect their account with both password and phone. Talking about protecting your device, she said tools such as Android Device Manager help you locate your device. So, if you’ve lost a device, you can use Android Device Manager to find its approximate location on a map and when it was last used.

She advised the audience to always remember to download apps from trusted sources. Your screens should also be kept locked using passwords, patterns, fingerprints, pin or through face recognition, she added.

Rinki cautioned internet users to beware of various scams that entice you into sharing your personal sensitive information with unknown sources. Checkout for authentic domain names before you give out your personal information, she said.

Dwelling on safe and secure shopping online, she said it was necessary to ensure that the websites from which you make your purchases is reputed. Make sure you have researched sufficiently about the product. It is good to look for secure checkout process while making your payments. In short, be safe – be secure

Citizen Awareness Group chairman Surinder Verma said no doubt internet is a very strong medium of communication and information, but measures should constantly be upgraded to safeguard the users from cheating, fraud and malicious propaganda.

Mr.Rakesh Tuli, senior research advisor,Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP), UIET, Panjab University, and Ms. Inderdeep Kaur Aulakh, coordinator, department of IT, UIET, also graced the occasion.