We are all in a digital world, where everything happens so swiftly may it be banking, online shopping, communication or any facility which could occur with a dedicated online platform. And now amidst COVID 19 pandemic we have a crystal clear outline on the significance of internet in an individual’s day-to-day life.

Software or tech companies knows well which all platforms could be best received by users and smartly launches applications accordingly. So there could be some intelligent development teams who knows by and large the psychology or mentality of people, their needs and requirements. They launch their apps; people as per their choice may download and use. This is purely business and isn’t a concern until and unless it poses a threat to an individual. Undoubtedly, life would be a desert without internet, isn’t it?

“Meet, Chat and Have Fun”, yes, these are cliché’ we use to see online, especially applications for dating and chatting. These are targeted for people who are lonely, single and desperately in need of a company. The advertisements of such applications would be so alluring that everyone falls for it and downloads, may he/she be single or committed.

This would be so amusing, meeting some strangers, befriending them, chatting and having fun despite being aware of the fact that the person’s identity is still unknown. Most of the social media platforms are being misused by fraudsters by creating fake identities whose sole purpose would be exploiting genuine users. A user becomes a victim once he/she indulges in intimate conversation with the fraudster and shares intimate pictures or videos. Once the fraudster acquire these images and videos, starts threatening and blackmailing the victim in demand for ransom or some other favours. This may affect the victim mentally and financially. The irony is that these incidents are very common nowadays.

We saw already concerns related to an individual’s perspective, but what if it poses a potential threat to our national security. The term Honey trapping would be best suited for such scenarios. Spy agents deployed by enemy neighboring countries could honey trap officials of Nation’s Armed Forces like Army, Air Force and Navy to obtain sensitive datas and informations of utmost national importance. A kind of passive espionage by faking identities of women on social media, tempting officials to have a virtual intimate relationship and acquire sensitive informations by earning their trust. Yes, this happened in India and the data was leaked from Indian Navy to Pak ISIS through spies. The case is being investigated under the name operation dolphin’s nose by National Investigation Agency and Andhra Pradesh Naval Intelligence Agency.

There is so much risk out there in the world of internet which could cost us a lot. There's always pros and cons for everthing, using it wisely should be our intension. Always go with brain rather than heart in the virtual world and go smart with smartphones. Being a healthy and wise user of internet would make our lives simply better, happier and blissful.