Beware of Vishing

What is it? "Vishing" is a more sophisticated form of "phishing" where the malevolent party actually calls you up for information about your bank or credit card details.

How does it work? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows people to spoof their caller ID. The victim believes that he or she is getting an official call from his/her bank or credit card company.

What happens? The criminals, after gleaning your bank account or credit card details, go on to empty your account or run massive bills.

How can you protect yourself? Banks rarely, if ever, ask for your details when they call you. In case you get a call like this, the best thing to do is hang-up and call up your bank to verify the call. A few rupees spent on a call is a lot safer than letting rogues swindle you by cleaning out your bank account or maxing out your credit card limit.

And the government? Technically, the government can do little, but agencies and telecom companies are monitoring the airwaves. As with phishing, it is the user (you) who should be very careful. Never disclose your account details unless you make the call yourself.

Now, e-books for Indian Students?

What is it? It's a scheme under which the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry will make expensive textbooks for undergraduate and postgraduate courses available to students in a free digital format.

Why e-textbooks? A digital textbook can provide integrated multimedia functions, such as video clips, animation, virtual reality, and hyperlinks, in addition to the documented materials, and also utilise a wider range of learning materials by linking them to the databases of other institutions.

At what cost? The government is willing to share the cost with the publishers and will compensate them for any losses they might incur.

When will it be launched? The HRD Ministry wants to incorporate the proposal in the 11th Five-Year Plan.

(With Manu Kaushik)