CID warns users against risky clicks amid cyber threats

Bangla Press Desk:  One careless click, an unwittingly shared piece of personal information or a single OTP disclosed to a stranger can expose a person to serious financial, social and personal risks.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police has urged young people, particularly women, to remain alert against cybercrime and practise responsible digital behaviour.

Under the theme “Think Twice Before You Click; Cyber Knowledge is Your Best Firewall,” the CID’s Cyber Police Centre (CPC) organised a Cyber Awareness Enhancement Programme at the auditorium of Rokeya Hall at Dhaka University on Monday, according to a CID press release.

The programme was organised in collaboration with Rokeya Hall and sponsored by bKash Limited, with undergraduate and postgraduate students of the hall participating.

Rokeya Hall Provost Prof Dr Hosne Ara Begum chaired the programme. DIG (Acting) Md Saifuddin Shaheen of CPC, CID, attended as the chief guest, while Additional DIG Md Zahidul Islam of Cyber Investigation and Operations, CPC, CID, presented the keynote paper.

A. K. M. Monirul Karim, Executive Vice President and Head of External Affairs at bKash Limited, attended as the special guest.

The programme focused on common forms of cybercrime, including cyber harassment, online blackmail, identity fraud, misuse of personal information, fake links and online scams.

Speaking as the chief guest, Saifuddin Shaheen said the younger generation now lives simultaneously in the physical and digital worlds.

“Technology has created new opportunities for people, but it has also created new forms of risks and crime,” he said, stressing that safe use of technology must receive equal importance alongside technological advancement.

He described awareness as a key tool of cybersecurity and said the CID’s Cyber Police Centre was working round the clock to prevent and combat cybercrime.

The CID officer advised students to use strong passwords, keep OTPs and PINs confidential, avoid unfamiliar links, limit the sharing of personal information on social media and verify information before sharing it.

He also urged victims of online bullying, cyber harassment, blackmail or fraud to seek assistance from law enforcement agencies without delay.

Presenting the keynote paper, Zahidul Islam said cybersecurity had become an essential life skill as education, communication, entertainment and daily activities increasingly revolve around digital platforms.

“As a result, cyber security is no longer a subject only for technology professionals. It has become an essential life skill for every student, parent and citizen,” he said.

He noted that cybercriminals often exploit human carelessness and warned that sharing sensitive information or clicking on suspicious links could expose individuals to serious financial and social harm.

Zahidul also highlighted the rapid spread of misinformation and rumours on social media, urging users to verify information before sharing it.

“A responsible digital citizen does not spread unverified information,” he said, adding that cyber-aware students could help protect their families, friends and communities from digital risks.

Special guest A. K. M. Monirul Karim highlighted the importance of awareness in digital financial transactions, saying the expansion of digital financial services had also created new methods of fraud.

He said greater awareness and access to accurate information could help reduce the risks of digital financial fraud.

Prof Dr Hosne Ara Begum said the hall administration would stand beside students so they could navigate the cyber world safely and report any form of harassment without hesitation.

She also urged students to share their cyber-safety knowledge with their families and friends.

The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where students raised issues related to cybersecurity, online harassment, digital fraud and protection of personal information.