Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 10: Fed up of snapped mobile internet service, the netizens have finally started hacking WiFi networks in Jammu and Kashmir to keep the show running by downloading various applications.
Mobile internet was snapped in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 to prevent rumour mongering.
The internet was restored with 2G speed on August 16 but again suspended on August 17 after some miscreants spread rumours on social media which triggered panic.
Later police arrested the rumour monger from Khour area of Akhnoor.
However, the netizens have started hacking WiFi connections with the help of applications to keep themselves busy on mobile internet.
The broadband service of BSNL with 2G speed was not suspended by the administration and it was available only in limited houses, offices and shops so that routine work does not get affected.
''The netizens especially the youth are more into hacking as their percentage of using social media is higher than any other age group,'' an IT expert Dinesh Nargotra said.
He further said that, ''with so many software around, many of them are being misused by people to hack internet networks, data and other programmes.''
''Presently when the mobile internet facility is suspended for a brief period in Jammu and Kashmir, the netizens have ultimately started adopting illegal ways of hacking the Wifi networks in the localities, nearby their schools, colleges, universities, with the help of software," he stated.
Mr Nargotra further stated that ''hacking networks'' is an offence because it can be misused by the operator, adding that ''it falls under cyber crime and is punishable''
''I am working in a restaurant at Bahu Plaza area, which is a corporate hub and many of them have WiFi networks, which are available on our phones once we go for WiFi options," Amit Sharma, a local said.
He added that he had downloaded some of the ''hacking applications'' and keeps trying to get access to internet.
SSP Special Operation Group and In-charge Cyber Cell of J&K Police Sandeep Mehta said, "those who are misusing the network by hacking or decoding the password are landing themselves into trouble because it is a cyber crime."
''The users are not only inviting trouble for themselves but also for the people having access to the WiFi network, in case they forward, download or share any malicious or objectionable content," Mr Mehta said.
However, he appealed to the people to not only keep their network password protected but also protect it internally with the help of an IT expert or the employee of the concerned service provider.
"The password should be shared only to known persons like family members to prevent any misuse," Mr Mehta added.
Pertinent to mention here that with snapped mobile internet services in Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of people have applied for landlines connections of BSNL to install broadband devices.
''There is a heavy rush of customers at BSNL offices to apply for landline connections,'' a BSNL official said.
He said that many applications seeking fresh connections and restoring disconnected have been deposited at various branch offices, adding, ''the BSNL is already facing crunch of staff due to which, the applications cannot be entertained in a set time frame,''
Mobile internet service was snapped on August 5, the day Government of India announced revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into two Union territories. |
