Jaipur, March 25 (NationPress) Following the instructions from Rajasthan's Director General of Police, Rajiv Kumar Sharma, a crucial alert has been disseminated across the state regarding the safety of digital information, officials noted on Wednesday.

Insights from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) reveal that cybercriminals are increasingly focusing on institutions utilizing Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices.

These targets encompass chartered accountancy firms, consultancy services, hospitals, IT and media professionals, alongside educational establishments.

Jaipur's Deputy Inspector General of Police (Cyber Crime), Shantanu Kumar Singh, stated that the tactics employed by these fraudsters are exceptionally advanced.

Cybercriminals pinpoint vulnerable or publicly accessible NAS systems on the internet.

By taking advantage of weak passwords or obsolete software, these criminals can gain unauthorized entry, copying or encrypting (locking) critical data.

They then demand substantial ransom payments, threatening to expose sensitive information, thereby denying institutions access to their own data.

The advisory issued by Rajasthan Police indicates that chartered accountants and IT specialists are particularly at risk, as they manage highly confidential client financial data.

Moreover, ransomware incidents have also been documented within media companies and large healthcare facilities.

To protect valuable data, cyber experts advise institutions to limit direct internet connections to NAS systems, adopt multi-factor authentication, and utilize robust passwords for enhanced security.

Regular software updates and the application of all necessary security patches are critical to prevent vulnerabilities.

Institutions should also ensure secure backups at consistent intervals, storing them offline or in safeguarded locations, while implementing effective data recovery mechanisms for emergencies.

Ongoing system monitoring is vital to identify any unusual activities.

Immediate measures should be taken if any suspicious actions are detected, and impacted systems must be promptly isolated from the network to mitigate further harm.

Institutions are encouraged to consult with cybersecurity professionals whenever necessary, officials mentioned, adding that in the event of an incident, individuals should report immediately to the nearest police or cyber police station, or submit complaints via the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in. Complainants can also contact the Cyber Helpline at 1930 or the Cyber Helpdesk at 9256001930/9257510100.