As digital usage increases in the country, incidents of cyberattacks are also rapidly rising. Internet banking, online shopping, digital payments, and data storage have become integral parts of our daily lives. However, along with this, our devices, such as smartphones and laptops, have also become targets for hackers. People's hard-earned money is being wiped out in minutes, photos and documents stored on mobile phones are being leaked, and sometimes the entire system crashes.
Considering these threats, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of the Government of India has initiated the Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Cyber Hygiene Center) to create awareness among people about the tools they can use to secure their phones and laptops. The most important aspect is that all these tools are available free of cost.
These tools are most useful for Windows laptops and computers
If you are a Windows user and want to protect your laptop or computer from threats like malware, Trojans, and bots, the government has recommended some specific antivirus tools:
1. K7 Security
This antivirus is developed in India and is considered to have good performance. It comes with real-time protection and immediately blocks viruses.
2. eScan Antivirus
This tool is also from an Indian company and is designed specifically for home and small business users. It can identify everything from spyware to phishing websites.
3. Quick Heal
This is a well-known antivirus software that not only protects the system from malware but also keeps an eye on unknown programs running in the background. Quick Heal's user interface is quite simple, and anyone can use it easily.
You can download all these tools from the government's official portal csk.gov.in.
Government-suggested tools for Android Mobile users
Smartphones are no longer limited to just making calls or social media; they have also become the center of our bank accounts, wallets, documents, and personal chats. In such a situation, mobile security becomes as important as computer security.
1. eScan Mobile Security
The government has recommended eScan Mobile Security to remove bots from Android mobiles and protect phones from viruses. This app runs continuously in the background and warns you about every suspicious app or link.
2. M-Kavach 2
This is an advanced mobile security app developed by C-DAC Hyderabad in collaboration with MeitY. It includes not only antivirus and anti-bot features but also advanced features like anti-theft, app blocking, and SMS-call monitoring.
With this app, you can also control which permissions your phone has given to which app, and you can also restrict access to any app if needed. This app is available for free download on the Google Play Store.
Where to download
For download links and information about all antivirus and security tools, visit the Government of India website https://www.csk.gov.in. Here you will find a list of all the tools from which you can choose the necessary tool for your system or mobile.
What is Cyber Swachhta Kendra
Cyber Swachhta Kendra, also known as the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Center, is an official initiative of the Government of India that has been running since 2017. Its aim is to make people aware of the dangers of the digital world and provide them with free tools so that they can secure their devices.
This portal regularly updates users on which malware or viruses are active and what measures to take to avoid them. Also, it tells users if their system has become part of a botnet.
Why these tools have become necessary
Millions of cyberattacks are happening in India every day. The range of these attacks is very large – someone is being cheated with phishing links, while someone's camera is being hacked. Even without the user's knowledge, their system can become part of a botnet, and their device can become a means of a major cyberattack.
In such a situation, just opening safe websites in a browser or not answering calls from unknown numbers is not enough. You need a b security system that can monitor your device 24x7, and that is what these government tools do.
