Hacking, or getting illegal access to a Facebook account through a variety of means, is becoming a major problem everywhere, including in Nepal.
Facebook can be used by hackers as a means of stealing money from ATMs, online banks, and SMS banks. They may also disseminate viruses and delete or steal important data.
Facebook has become a major target for hackers in recent times.
Computer specialist Uttam Karki claims that there has been a noticeable rise in Facebook hacking cases in Nepal. An increasing level of anxiety is indicated by the surge in Google searches for hacking techniques, such as Facebook and WiFi hacks.
Karki, who has worked in the IT industry for ten years, has noticed that, similar to trends in wealthy nations, hacking events in Nepal have increased in frequency. Numerous of these occurrences have happened around election times.
Over the last four years, 16,000 complaints about cybercrime have been made, with 4,700 of those complaints directly pertaining to Facebook hacking, according to statistics from the Cyber Bureau. The majority of victims are between the ages of 20 and 45.
Superintendent of Police Deepak Awasthi, a spokesman for the Cyber Bureau, points out that professionals on social media, including businesspeople, bankers, artists, politicians, and journalists, are especially susceptible to hacking. He also emphasizes how hackers harm reputations by fabricating pages and profiles and using impersonation techniques.
Engineer Karki, on the other hand, distinguishes four main techniques for Facebook hacking:
Phishing: This is developing a phony Facebook page in order to fool users into inputting their login information. By looking identical to the official Facebook website, the phony page tricks people into entering their login credentials.
Key Logging: Keylogging software is used by hackers to obtain passwords that have been saved on several devices. Hackers might take advantage of cached Facebook login credentials on a laptop or mobile device.
Social Engineering: Using this strategy, passwords are generated based on personal information or popular events. For instance, hackers may use hints such as your mobile number or a festival to figure out your password.
Session Hijacking: Hackers use recent changes or emotional states to anticipate passwords. Hackers might use this information to guess your new password, for example, if you recently changed your profile image or password. He advises being aware of online security procedures in order to guard against Facebook hacking. Steer clear of exchanging critical information, create strong, one-of-a-kind passwords, and exercise caution when clicking on dubious links or communications.
What is the role of the Cyber Bureau?
Many people begin the process of reporting a hacking event to the Cyber Bureau. Spokesman Superintendent Awasthi says that after filing a complaint, people would get a token number.
Awasthi explains, “Facebook is not registered in Nepal and has no servers here; the nearest server is in Singapore. This geographical distance can slow down communication and recovery processes.”
He adds that the increase in hacking incidents has led to slower response times from Facebook. “Replies typically take a week or 10 days,” he notes.
Engineer Karki points out that the lack of police officers and the requirement for communication with overseas servers exacerbate delays.
He asked how resources are being distributed: “Which areas will the staff focus on—cybercrime, social crime, or Facebook-related issues? Are they also managing the Messenger app?”
Karki recommends hiring more personnel in order to combat cybercrime more successfully and advises consumers to take preventative steps to keep themselves safe.
In addition, he urges the government to take action against internet crime.
How can users protect themselves against cyberattacks?
1. Be cautious while messaging anyone you don’t know on Facebook.
2. Never open an unknown sender’s message without first making sure they are who they say they are.
3. Never accept friend requests from someone you don’t know.
4. Conduct routine security assessments for your accounts.
5. Refrain from accessing Facebook through unknown or dubious sources.
6. Periodically change your password.
7. Turn on two-factor authentication on your phone so that you can receive notifications on your email and phone.
8. Before submitting personal information on websites, confirm its validity.
What actions should the government take?
1. Create and swiftly execute laws pertaining to cybercrime and information technology. Clearly state the bounds of legality and acceptable behavior.
2. Establish a reporting system enabling citizens to report cybercrimes via the Ministry of Communication.
3. Create a unit to address accusations of abuse and defamation to encourage ethical hacking.
4. Work together with tech firms to improve cybersecurity protocols.
5. To educate the public about online safety, start education and awareness campaigns.
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