Indian users still not exposed to cyber terrorism: Suk Ling Gun

Kaspersky Lab in Moscow is one the top cyber security firms in the world. More than 1,600 experts work round the clock on cyber security threats and technology. They have operations in more than 100 countries across the world provides anti-virus solutions, network attack solutions, malware protection, and anti-spam solutions.

Suk Ling Gun, managing director, South Asia, Kaspersky Lab, talked with DNA during her visit to India. She was in the country to launch the company’s India operations and an anti-virus. While discussing the broadband penetration in India, she talks about the alarming situation because most people do not take computer security seriously. 

How is India placed compared to other developed nations?
India is one of the top countries when it comes to number of internet users. Also, it is a world player in IT intelligence. Though there are highly qualified professionals, India’s involvement in illegal cyber activities is less compared to other nations.

What are the issues that Indian internet users should be concerned about?
Indian users are still not exposed to serious cyber terrorism. One can find several such activities happening online. Terrorists use cyber space as a platform to propagate their ideas and opinions. If the issue is not tackled now, it can lead to serious problems in the future.

Experts from Kaspersky did a research before launching the 2011 anti-virus. What did you find about young internet users?
Children in several countries nowadays use the internet as a tool to sort out personal fights with their classmates and friends. There have been instances where children have been bullied on the net by other children. This affects them psychologically. We did not find such things in India though. Some issues like parental control and few security measures are similar to other countries.

Can the education system play a vital role in educating children about safe usage of the internet?
Most schools in India, which have computer education as part of the curriculum, impart students with basic education on computers and thus allow the usage of internet. But, at the same time, they are not taught about security issues and the dos and don’ts that one should follow while using the internet. This should be made mandatory in every school.

What, according to Kaspersky, is the biggest threat to Indian internet users?
At present, a large number of Indian users do not know that whenever they download any free software, or music, or applications from the internet, they are inviting trouble. These downloads could lead to malware attacks. The biggest ones where Indians are being targeted are for creating botnets, which are zombie computers that will later be used for illegal activities by criminals, without even the user knowing about it.

What steps does Kaspersky plan to take in India for betterment of Indian internet and computer users?
We plan to set-up specialised training schools that will impart education on computer security to children as well as adults. These schools would be called Anti-Virus schools or academies and we plan to soon start them. Also, the main focus of these academies will be to educate people that if they train themselves for physical defence by learning martial arts or body building, why not protect themselves online?