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Malicious Android apps promoted through social media advertisements can abuse sensitive permissions and put users at risk of device takeover and financial fraud. (Express Image/Magnific)

One click, one download: How social media ads can lead to malware, financial fraud

September 13, 2026 9:06 am

Malicious Android apps promoted through social media ads are being used to exploit sensitive device permissions and facilitate financial fraud, a government advisory has warned. This week’s edition of The Safe Side tells you how to stay safe from this scam.

social media apps on the phone in dark ambience

Think before you post: ‘Harmless’ social media updates can put you at risk

August 31, 2026 6:18 am

From live locations and travel plans to children’s photographs and identity documents, seemingly harmless social media posts can expose users to fraud, impersonation and stalking. Cybersecurity experts explain what you should – and shouldn’t – share online.

Experts explain how scammers exploit emotions such as FOMO, fear and urgency, and why taking 24 hours to pause and verify could help protect your money.

Just pause: How slowing down can help you avoid investment scams

August 18, 2026 8:30 am

Cyber scams are on the rise, and it is often only after falling prey to one that people begin to wonder what went wrong. In this week’s edition of The Safe Side, we take a closer look at the psychological aspects of investment scams, what experts have to say about them, and what financial discipline can look like in such situations.

Some recent Consumer Commission rulings have brought renewed attention to an often-overlooked legal remedy for cyber fraud victims. (Express Image/Magnific)

The Safe Side: How Consumer Commissions can help cyber fraud victims recover losses

August 02, 2026 9:09 am

In this week’s edition of The Safe Side, we discuss when you can approach a Consumer Commission, the documents needed, the compensation you can claim, and why proving a bank’s deficiency in service could strengthen your case.

AI-generated profiles and deepfake video calls are making matrimonial scams far more convincing than before. (Image for representation: Magnific)

Looking for love, finding fraud: How AI makes matrimony scams harder to spot

July 19, 2026 9:39 am

In the search for a life partner, you can end up becoming a target for cybercriminals. Through this edition of The Safe Side, we examine how generative AI is making matrimonial scams harder to detect, the red flags to watch for, and what users can do to protect themselves.

Fake entertainment apps often request excessive permissions, including access to SMS, contacts and device settings. (Image for representation: Magnific)

The Safe Side: Free content comes at a cost, the scam behind fake OTT apps

June 22, 2026 9:10 am

What sometimes looks like a shortcut to free entertainment can quickly turn into a cybersecurity nightmare for common people. Through this edition of The Safe Side, experts break down the tactics behind fake OTT applications and the warning signs that users often overlook.

India's cybercrime agency has warned iPhone users about a phishing campaign that uses fake Apple Support messages to steal Apple ID credentials after devices are lost or stolen. (Image for representation: Magnific)

Second theft: How scammers use a lost iPhone to steal your identity

June 09, 2026 9:07 am

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has identified a phishing campaign targeting iPhone users whose devices have been stolen or lost. In this week’s edition of The Safe Side, we reflect on expert advice on how to navigate these phishing attempts.