Latest news with #AnshumanDas
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
Fake CAPTCHA scams: How 'I'm not a robot' could infect your device
It usually starts with a harmless web search. You are attempting to locate a website for a product that you really liked, and as you click on the link, a familiar box pops up, asking you to prove you are not a robot. You see 'I'm not a robot' written, and the checkbox. You have seen it so many times, so you don't really give it much thought. Sometimes, this could be a trap. One wrong click, and instead of proving you're human, you could be opening the door to malware, and behind this, is a fake CATCHA scam. CAPTCHA stands for 'Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.' It's a security tool to confirm a user is human, not a bot. CAPTCHAs may involve distorted text, image selection, audio cues, simple puzzles, or just ticking a checkbox (called reCAPTCHA). These may also be time-based. Cybercriminals now mimic these tests to trick users into downloading malware. 'Fake CAPTCHAs are often distributed through compromised websites, malicious ads, or phishing emails,' said Zakir Hussain Rangwala, CEO of BD Software Distribution Pvt Ltd. 'They may also appear on lookalike domains of popular sites, persuading users to enable browser notifications or download files under the guise of verification.' According to CloudSEK's Threat Research and Information Analytics Division (TRIAD), 'A sophisticated tactic is being used to spread the Lumma Stealer malware, targeting Windows users through fake human verification pages.' CloudSEK found that in this campaign, threat actors create phishing sites hosted on various providers, often leveraging Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for faster distribution and added legitimacy. These sites display a counterfeit Google CAPTCHA page, designed to mimic the real verification process. These phishing sites instruct users to: * Open the Run dialog (Win+R) * Press Ctrl+V * Hit Enter This action executes a hidden JavaScript function that copies a base64-encoded PowerShell command to the clipboard, and this, when executed, downloads the Lumma Stealer malware from a remote server. 'Clicking a fake CAPTCHA itself isn't the real danger; the problem begins when you follow the instructions it provides. For example, pasting commands into your terminal and executing them, or downloading a file to 'prove' you're not a robot, can put you at serious risk. Always avoid carrying out such instructions,' said Anshuman Das, cybersecurity researcher at CloudSEK. Deependra Singh, cyber expert, Betul Police (MP), and Rangwala outlined key differences between genuine and fake CAPTCHAs. Legitimate CAPTCHAs appear on trusted websites and involve straightforward tasks such as selecting images, entering distorted text, or ticking a checkbox. Fake ones, on the other hand, often demand unrelated actions like clicking 'Allow' for notifications, downloading files, or providing personal or financial information. A quick way to spot a fake is to check the site's address for misspellings, unusual characters, or unfamiliar domains. Another red flag is if the CAPTCHA appears as a random pop-up rather than being embedded directly within the webpage. What to do if you suspect you have encountered a fake CAPTCHA 📌Exit the site immediately. 📌Disconnect from the internet. 📌Run a full antivirus scan. 📌Clear browser cache and cookies, and remove suspicious extensions. 📌Change passwords for critical accounts using a secure device. 📌Delete any downloaded files without opening them. 'Industries like e-commerce and online gaming face higher risks,' Rangwala warned. 'These attacks can steal credentials, install spyware, or allow remote access.' Singh's advice is simple: 'Avoid clicking unknown links and always check the URL. One wrong click can cost you both your money and your privacy.'
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Startups fire up hiring engine in hunt for senior executives
Senior-level hiring is picking up across Startup Inc after a lull, led by companies including early-stage startups that have raised funding in the last few months. Snabbit , Battery Smart, Nawgati, Better Nutrition, Snitch, Univest, Ekincare, Fleetx and Vetic are among those hiring for leadership positions, said founders and executive search firms . Mature players like Flipkart, PhonePe, Lenskart among others are also in the market for senior professionals, mostly for replacement hiring or to fill critical roles in the run-up to an IPO, said recruiters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo ETtech 'The overall uptick is driven by three factors: funding, IPOs and AI-first hiring,' said Anshuman Das, CEO of executive search firm Longhouse Consulting. Live Events While back-to-back geopolitical developments like Trump's tariff storm; the India-Pakistan conflict, and now the Israel-Iran tensions, implies lower visibility on the hiring situation in a medium-term scenario, for now, things are looking up. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories 'There are a lot more conversations happening… mandates for us are likely to go up by 30-40% over the last quarter,' said Ashish Sanganeria, senior partner at executive search firm Transearch, which has landed several senior leadership mandates in the last month. According to Anuj Roy, managing partner at search firm Fidius Advisory, after a slowdown for many months, early-stage startups in India are finally increasing the pace of hiring. 'Many companies that have recently raised funding are focusing on strengthening their leadership teams as they prepare for the next phase of growth.' India's tech startups raised $2.96 billion in Jan-March 2025, a 24% jump over the previous quarter and a 21% rise from the corresponding period last year, according to data from market intelligence platform Tracxn. Scaling up With funding in place, startup founders and HR executives are betting big on leadership talent to steer the road ahead. 'There's a lot of excitement in the sector and leadership hires play a very important role as we look to scale up the business,' says Aayush Agarwal, founder of quick-service app Snabbit, which offers on-demand home services. Snabbit raised $19 million in a Series B funding round led by Lightspeed in May and is planning to hire at least 5-6 senior professionals at the VP/SVP level across operations, technology, growth, product and ancillary functions. For this, it is looking at talent across sectors and actively tapping into investor networks. Battery swapping operator Battery Smart, which raised $29 million in its Series B round in May, has seen senior hiring picking up significantly compared to last year. With the recent fundraise and aggressive expansion plans, the company says it's imperative to have experienced leaders who can scale teams, drive innovation, and build high-reliability systems. 'We are currently hiring for leadership roles across technology, growth, and supply chain. While the startup ecosystem remains a key source of talent, we're also tapping into sectors like manufacturing, FMCG, consulting, and tech services to infuse fresh perspectives and operational depth,' said Nitasha Sharma, associate director, talent acquisition, Battery Smart.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Careernet Group expands to the Middle Eastern market
Holistic talent solutions provider Careernet has announced its official foray into the Middle East, following its recent expansion into the United States through Longhouse, its executive search arm, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. The Middle East expansion is part of a broader strategic push by the Careernet Group to deepen its presence in key global markets. Careernet's Middle East operations will be based in Dubai, UAE. Backed by 25 years of experience, including scaling teams for fast-growing enterprises, global capability centres (GCCs), and multinationals, this expansion will strengthen the Group's ability to serve both existing clients with operations in the region as well as Middle East-based enterprises seeking strategic talent support across tech, digital, and emerging sectors. As the geography emerges as a global innovation hub, the demand for specialised talent is intensifying across sectors like startups, AI, fintech, and Web3. Careernet's entry into the Middle Eastern market will see it offering enterprises access to talent solutions through its integrated ecosystem of specialist brands: HirePro ( AI-enabled recruitment automation); Longhouse (executive search and talent advisory); and MyCareernet (employer branding and candidate engagement through digital platforms). 'The Middle Eastern region is a rapidly evolving talent hub, and we see it not just as a market but as a strategic focus in our long-term growth vision. We have supported UAE-headquartered companies with their India hiring for many years and are now strengthening that relationship with an on-ground presence in the region,' said Anshuman Das, CEO and Co-founder, Careernet Group. To lead this new phase of growth, Asif Khan has been appointed as Associate Vice President for the Middle East office. Based in Dubai, Asif brings over a decade of experience in sales and client management across IT, FMCG, retail, and energy sectors, along with a deep understanding of the region's talent dynamics. He will spearhead strategic partnerships, client acquisition, and growth initiatives in the region.
