How many really agree to the terms before hitting “I agree” when using a new app, online tool or a website ? That it was required to take a closer look at the small print to stay safe in the virtual world was stressed during a workshop on use of technology in the agricultural sector held at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).

Emphasising that the need to stay safe in the virtual world was the need of the hour, Balaji Raju, Managing Director, AES Technologies India Private Limited, said: “While travelling by road from TNAU to Maruthamalai we have to pass through three check posts and there are traffic constables at various points to monitor the movement. However, the virtual world is a free space that is not manned, controlled or monitored. This enables the free flow of data and information in the online space.”

Mr. Raju, who is also the head of the Coimbatore Chapter of Data Security Council of India (DSCI), cautioned against corporate houses, who, in the name of creating data bases, were going a step ahead and gathering the users’ personal information. Users and consumers were unaware as to how, when, by whom and for what this information was used and misused too.

He gave an example of how e-mails and text messages about an individual winning a lottery or a cash prize could land on a person’s smart phone with the recipient’s name. This was a fallout of disclosing too much information online than what was required, he added.

Though the modus operandi of cyber criminals had become smarter, Mr. Raju said that they failed to remember that the cyber security force was smarter for them.

Educating the audience about safe use of the Internet, Mr. Raju brought to light a recent house burglary, where the robber upon interrogation had confessed that he got a clue about the whereabouts of the owner of the house on Facebook.

Urging college students to consider a career in cyber security, he promised to train students who are interested in learning about the various tools that are involved in cyber security. “DSCI is interested in training students in the basics of cyber security” Mr. Raju said.

Those interested, can contact HR, AES Technologies India Private Limited, on 0422- 4229100.

There were 16 specialists from various fields who made presentations on topics related to computers, Tamil language and technology.