Youths are finding difficulty in understanding cybersecurity. Here you will find some interesting facts about this field.

Cybersecurity protects systems, networks, and programs from cyberattacks. It focuses on securing the environment for various organizations. Criminals usually access, change or destroy sensitive data. They also use that information to extort money from users. 

Security is in high demand in cyberspace. Most of the institutions now adopt digital systems. Nepal is also growing its digital footprint. Even in Nepal, we have been facing lots of cybercrime incidents.  

Around 2013, Cybersecurity came into the spotlight in Nepal. There's no fixed when the term was first discussed or realized. The Crime Investigation Department of Nepal Police reported 19 cases of social media crimes during that time. Finally, the private sector started efforts to defend and secure cyberspace.

Confused about cybersecurity? Here are 10 interesting facts you need to know.

1.      Pioneers in Nepali cyberspace

LogPoint Nepal Pvt Ltd, the first company that introduced security information. It also used event management (SIEM) products to secure cyberspace. The first ones to start working in the field and give services were Eminence Ways and Rigo Technology. 

2.      Early reported cases in Nepal

Many of the incidents that occurred went unnoticed.  Due to which the exact first incident is difficult to detect. However, some of the reported earlier cases include:

• In July 2013, a young woman ended up transferring money for an online airline ticket booking. In fact, she fall victim to online swindling.  Out of a total of Rs. 110,000 she got back Rs. 15,000 only. She transferred the money with the help of the district court. 
• In Kathmandu School of Law, the first known case of cyberbullying was reported on October 7, 2014.
• In 2016, Nepal Police caught an 18-year-old who operated Anonymous #Opnep. Government websites including Nepal Telecom, National Tuberculosis Centre were hacked.

3.      Common incidents reported in Nepal

Some of the usually reported incidents included ATM attacks, ransomware, spear phishing, privacy leaks. Also, social media-related crimes were reported such as harassment; identity theft, child pornography, and dissemination of false information.

4.     Common mistakes that make you a victim

The digital transformation leaves behind some obvious factors that lead to cybercrime in Nepal.  Some of the typical mistakes include the use of easy and repeated passwords on many platforms. Also, Poor knowledge and lack of awareness also lead them to phish and scams. Furthermore, the use of outdated and pirated software, application, and hardware also lead to cyberattack. 

5.     2017 was a bad year

•  On June 27, 2017, a group of Turkish hackers hacked the official website of the Department of Passport. They faced threatening notes to reveal the government’s data.
• Paradox Cyber Ghost hacked 58 government websites On July 25, 2017, thus making it one of the biggest breaches of all times in Nepal. 
• An unidentified hacker hacked the SWIFT system of NIC Asia Bank on October 23. From the user accounts to six different countries, the hackers caught USD 4.4 million. Yet, the bank claimed to recover about USD 4 million.
• Onlinekhabar, known as one of the popular online news portals of Nepal, was accessed by a third party On November 28, 2017.  In addition, a JavaScript mining application to mine cryptocurrency called Monero was asked to install.  

6.      Data breach is a serious issue

• On April 8, 2020, a hacker using the Twitter handle, Narpichas @paapi_kto_mah leaked the customer data of more than 160,000 customers of Vianet Communication. They made public data that included customers’ emails, phone numbers, and addresses. 
• A hacker using the Twitter handle, Mr. Mugger, hacked and dumped data of 50,000 users of Foodmandu on March 8, 2020. Data included names, mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.

7.     Nepal Police has a dedicated bureau

Cybercrimes were constantly increasing in Nepal. Therefore, the Nepal Police established a dedicated cyber bureau on June 10, 2018. Its head office lies in Bhotahiti of Kathmandu. 

8.      Number of people working 

About 60 men and about 10 women work professionally in the field. Meanwhile, over 120 people include the students and junior workforce associated with the field. 

9.      Private organizations working today

Eminence Ways, Vairav Tech, CryptoGen Nepal, ThreatNix, One Cover Pvt Ltd., Reanda Biz Serve, and Cynical Technology actively work in the field of cybersecurity. 

10.   Nepali’s in the international scenario

Many Nepali's have created and left their mark on the international hall of fame. In 2015, Sachin Thakuri and Prakash Sharma were included in Facebook’s hall of fame. They reported bugs on the social media platform. Similarly, Hall of fame of Facebook, Google, Sony, Microsoft, HackerOne, and Bugcrowd enlist ethical hackers like Nirmal Dahal, Santosh Bhandari, Nirmal Thapa, Ajay Gautam, Saugat Pokhrel, Aaditya Khati, Bishal Shrestha, etc