Let's talk about how to protect it, without the technical jargon. This is a practical guide for staying safe online in Bangladesh.
These major events aren't just news headlines. They show how fragile things can be and why your personal security matters.
A sophisticated group got into the system and stole $81 million from the country's reserves. It showed that even the most secure institutions are targets.
Here's the real story for you: When the national economy is at risk, it affects everyone's financial stability, including yours.
Personal details of about 50 million citizens were exposed due to a vulnerability in a government website.
Here's the real story for you: This means criminals could have the information needed to try and open bank accounts, register SIM cards, or take out loans in your name.
AI technology is being used to create fake videos that are incredibly realistic, often targeting people for blackmail or to spread misinformation.
Here's the real story for you: It's now possible for someone to use your image to create a video of you saying or doing something you never did. This makes it crucial to be skeptical of what you see online.
Scammers don't rely on complex hacks; they rely on human psychology. Here are their most common tactics.
Someone calls pretending to be from your bank or a mobile financial service like bKash. They create a sense of urgency—"your account is locked," or "we need to verify a transaction"—to trick you into giving them your PIN or the one-time password (OTP) sent to your phone.
You receive a text message or email with an exciting offer or a prize notification. The link leads to a fake website that looks legitimate, asking for your login details. Once you enter them, your account is compromised.
Scammers can spend weeks or months building trust with you online. Once you let your guard down, they might ask for personal photos, information, or money, often for a made-up emergency. This can quickly turn into blackmail.
Public Wi-Fi in places like cafes or airports is often not secure. Criminals can set up fake networks or monitor existing ones to see what you're doing online and steal passwords or financial information.
You don't need to be a tech expert to be secure. You just need good habits.
Use a different, strong password for every important account. A password manager can help you keep track of them all. A good password is long and combines letters, numbers, and symbols. Think of a sentence like `AmarShonarBangla@1971!`.
Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) everywhere you can—especially for email, social media, and financial apps. Think of it like a second lock on your door. Even if someone steals your key (password), they can't get in without the code from your phone.
Be skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those that create urgency or seem too good to be true. If you get an email from your bank, don't click the link. Instead, open your browser and go to the bank's website directly.
Review the privacy settings on your social media accounts. Be mindful of sharing your location, phone number, or other personal details publicly. This information can be collected by scammers to target you more effectively.
If you or someone you know becomes a victim, the worst thing you can do is stay silent. Reporting the crime helps authorities track these criminals and can prevent others from being harmed.