Internet and computer specialists this week warned Sri Lankans using Internet banking to be extremely careful when providing details of bank accounts to requests made through websites similar to websites of their relevant banks.
Chief Operations Officer of TechCERT, Dr. Chandana Gamage said that they are receiving at least one complaint per week on stolen IDs, Pin number thefts and attacks on computers.
TechCERT or Computer Emergency Response Team, is a part of the ‘LK’ domain registry, functioning at the Moratuwa University, which is strengthening computer networks of Sri Lanka’s commercial banks to safeguard it from Internet crime following an increase of computer related crimes including the use of computers in causing fraud or theft hacking offences, Dr. Gamage, who specialises in information communication security and is a senior lecturer at the university, told the Business Times that major commercial entities present in Sri Lanka including 60 % of the banking sector and 80 % of mobile and fixed line operators have partnered with TechCERT to profit from the technological know-how, knowledge base, and cost-effectiveness it offers in maintaining their own IT security and incidence-response teams.
He said that it is essential to keep passwords and pin numbers, a closely guarded secret - even from closest associates. The password should consist of alphanumeric characters and the length should exceed eight characters. The periodic changing of passwords will also thwart any attempt to steal one’s ID, he said.
Cyber attacks come in many forms, such as Denial of Service attacks, website defacement and unauthorized access to systems. These are committed by a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations such as Fraudsters, terrorist groups and even thrill seekers. TechCERT acts as the focal point for Cyber security for everyone, Dr Gamage said adding that they are providing advice about the latest threats and vulnerabilities affecting computer systems and networks
TechCERT provides help to find the ‘source’ of the problem, help police solve cases connected to computer crimes and unearth ‘virtual evidence” admissible in court cases. TechCERT has helped companies and the police to collect virtual evidence to prosecute Internet criminals successfully, he added. |
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