What is 5G and What Does it Mean for

 What is 5G and What Does it Mean for Cybersecurity?

The buzz around 5G is reaching a fevered pitch – barely a day goes by where it isn’t in the news.  We have heard about the data capacity and speed increases, lower latency, and lower power consumption.

The Ericsson Mobility Report 2020 shows how the impact of Covid19 has led to network’s crucial role in society. The report expects the global number of 5G subscriptions to top 2.8 billion by the end of 2025. In India, 5G is expected to represent around 18 percent of mobile subscriptions at the end of 2025.

It also states that in India, the projected value of the 5G-enabled digitalization revenues will be approximately USD 17 billion by 2030. With 5G being a platform for innovation it will enable the development of new services for consumers, enterprises, and industry, including large-scale IoT use cases.

BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS 5G?

When we spoke with Dorothy Stanley, IEEE Member and Chair of the IEEE 802.11 Working Group, she pointed out that confusion stems from the term ‘5G’ being used to refer to several ideas interchangeably: “Is 5G a vision? A set of services and data rates that are a goal to be accomplished, requiring multiple technologies? Or something that’s tied only to cellular carriers and what they can deliver?”

Some experts are most focused on the mixed nature of the technology. Babak Beheshti, IEEE Member and Interim Dean, College of Engineering and Computing Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, for example: “The very design philosophy of 5G is based on network heterogeneity. This means that the network can be a combination of technologies such as Wi-Fi® and LTE.”

Therefore, what 5G means depends on the context of the discussion, but it’s likely to include a combination of technologies.

This heterogeneity makes security more complex. However, there are already some exciting developments in the pipeline for 5G and IoT device security.

“According to T-Mobile US, 4G information being carried across mobile networks was not always encrypted. In 5G, end-to-end encryption is intended to provide much stronger safeguards for data privacy,” Beheshti says.

That will be coupled with a globally unique subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI) for each user. Beheshti: “The SUPI is never broadcast over the air during connection establishment for a mobile device, which can help prevent the hijacking of a mobile’s identity. 3G and 4G networks are inferior in this respect.”

For Stanley, top of mind is “The latest security solution, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Easy Connect™. You scan the QR code, and that bootstraps a protocol exchange that gets you on the network securely, so your traffic over the wireless link will not be snipped.”

Since IoT devices don’t often have robust user interfaces, using a QR code lets manufacturers create security protocols that can be operated without the use of a keyboard, Stanley says. “The QR code is just a way to encode data. Basically, you’re encoding a public key that then can be used to establish and bootstrap trust. Only the peer device that has the private key can decode that.”

So upcoming security technologies are promising.

WHAT CAN CONSUMERS DO TO MAKE SURE THEIR CURRENT IoT SETUPS ARE SECURE?

For Kayne McGladrey, IEEE Member and Director of Security and Information Technology at Pensar Development, “Consumers should use the ‘guest’ network of their home Wi-Fi routers as a dedicated network for IoT devices, so if one of those devices were compromised, the threat actor can’t easily pivot to more valuable data.”

That’s the case for newer devices, he says. “For older, cheap, IP-based security cameras and digital video recorders (DVRs), the easiest way to secure them is to recycle them responsibly as there often are no security updates available.”

The ability to update devices over their lifetime is essential to security, and should factor into buying decisions, he says.

Han Guangjie, IEEE Senior Member and professor at Hohai University, seconds this point: “Check and update the IoT device firmware. If IoT devices have exploitable vulnerabilities, manufacturers often identify and fix problems before the hacker can access the device’s environment.” 

How to stay safer online

 How to stay safer online: Your online privacy and device security checklist for 2021

Whatever you do online – posting on Facebook, paying your credit card bill, or shopping for presents at your favorite online retailer – you are vulnerable to cyber threats. Scammers are always on the hunt for personal information, credit card and bank account details, and other such valuable information that they can use for fraudulent activities. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your online privacy. If you were to follow only just one rule, it should be this: Never give your personal or financial information to any person or company that emails, texts, or calls you. Let’s take a look at some of the other steps you can take.

1. Check your bank and credit card statements

If someone steals your Aadhaar number, or passwords, or banking information, they can cause a lot of damage quickly. For instance, they can siphon your bank account, run up charges on your credit card, or take loans in your name. It is, therefore, important to closely monitor your credit reports, bank account statements, and credit card statements for suspicious activity. Look for purchases that you didn’t make, payments you didn’t authorize, cards or loans you didn’t apply for, or withdrawals that look suspicious. If you notice something odd, contact your bank and credit card provider immediately.

2. Invest in a VPN

A virtual private network, or VPN, is one of the most important tools for boosting online privacy. It’s a way to surf the web while preventing prying eyes of businesses, governments, and hackers from seeing what you browse. When you log onto the internet with a VPN, it looks like your IP address is the same as the one attached to the remote server operated by your VPN provider. This keeps your identity and location secret from snoops. There are free VPN services available, but the ones that you pay for may provide more comprehensive protection.

3. Don’t use public Wi-Fi to access personal or financial information

Avoid logging into your online bank account or credit card portal using free Wi-Fi in public places or coffee shops or hotel lobbies. Such Wi-Fi connections often have lax security measures. Cyber snoops can easily intercept your online activity and steal your login credentials. It is okay to use public Wi-Fi for only those tasks that don’t expose your personal information. If you want to protect your privacy even better while using public Wi-Fi, log into your VPN provider before accessing the web.

4. Install device security software and update it frequently

In today’s world where we are using multiple devices to connect, engage and interact personally and professionally, having only an anti-virus on devices is not enough. Hackers are constantly unleashing new viruses. There are cyber threats that exist within the network we are connected to as well as through various applications that are connected to our PC or mobile phones.  It is important, therefore, to install and run trusted device security software on all devices to prevent viruses and malware from infecting it. Once you install the software, make sure to allow the updates requested by its makers. These updates are often developed to fight new viruses, trojans, and malware. Investing in a comprehensive security software that protects our devices, networks and ultimately our data, is the need of the hour.

5. Watch out for phishing scams

Phishing is a favorite trick of scammers who use fake emails and texts to try to trick you into giving them your personal and financial information, or even the log-in credentials of your online bank accounts or credit card portals. Here’s how it works: you will receive an unsolicited email, seemingly from one of your banks or service providers, saying that your account or your card needs to be verified to prevent it from being suspended. It will have a link that directs you to a web page that asks you to fill out your personal and financial information. Do not ever provide such information. Please know that your banks or service providers will never ask for such information online.

6. Change your passwords

Changing your passwords regularly can go a long way in keeping scammers from accessing your online accounts. When you set new passwords, make them complicated, using a hard-to-guess combination of symbols, numbers, letters or passphrases.

7. Use two-factor authentication for as many sites as possible

Please use two-factor authentication for all sites that offer it, especially for banks, healthcare, and financial services. It generally requires you to enter your username and password, followed by a prompt to enter a code number that’s texted or emailed to you. The extra login step greatly reduces the chances of hackers breaking into the sites you visit.

8. Protect your privacy on social media

The private information that you post on social media sites can be used by scammers to steal your identity. You can improve your social media privacy, though, by making the necessary adjustments to your settings on these accounts. The simplest and most important way to boost your online privacy is to be careful about what you post on social media. Avoid giving away personal information such as the city you live in, or your date of birth, or your residential address, or your phone number. Be careful, too, about even using your full first and last names.

9. Never accept offers for “free” in-game currency, cheat codes, or upgrades

Many popular video games offer gamers the chance to buy in-game currency, cheat codes, weapons upgrades, and other stuff. Such purchases are in high demand. Please, however, do not accept such offers from fellow gamers; they are often scams that could expose your device to malware or spyware that enable crooks to break into your online bank accounts or credit card portals. Also, do not ever share your gaming username and password with anyone – least of all, with other online gamers.

10. File your tax returns early

Filing your tax returns early can help protect your privacy by preventing scammers from filing a fraudulent tax return in your name. This can happen if cyber criminals have gained access to your personal details. By doing so, they can take away whatever tax refund the fake return filing might yield.

 

SpiceScreen – Spicy Entertainment at

SpiceScreen – Spicy Entertainment at 35,000 Feet!

SpiceJet introduces complimentary in-flight entertainment on all its flights

Made in India: Collaborates with an Indian start-up to develop innovative technology

·         Top-notch technology developed using Android phones to work as Wi-Fi servers & content hub

·         Amazing entertainment delivered directly to your personal device via on board Wi-Fi

·         Compelling content for all ages – blockbuster movies, popular TV shows, cartoons and stand-up comedies

·         Remember to carry your earphones with you!

SpiceJet, India's favourite airline, today launched ‘SpiceScreen’ – the all-new complimentary in-flight entertainment system offering passengers seamless access to a wide range of indulging content on the go.

An enhanced version of the airline’s existing in-flight entertainment, SpiceScreen, is a first-of-its-kind, light-in-weight, wireless entertainment system that enables seamless delivery of content on to the personal devices of the passengers through the Wi-Fi network.

Unlike traditional in-flight entertainment systems, flyers can easily access SpiceScreen on any of their hand-held devices – a smartphone, tablet or a laptop by simply connecting to the on-board wireless network by following a few easy steps. SpiceScreen is now available across all SpiceJet flights.

Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “Innovation and SpiceJet go hand-in-hand. While we are extremely happy to launch our revamped in-flight entertainment system offering our passengers the latest and the best blockbuster content, what makes me specially happy and proud is that most of the technology used in SpiceScreen is ‘Made in India’ – developed indigenously by our team along with a local startup. Using Android  phones, weighing around 200 grams each, to perform the dual role of Wi-Fi servers and content hub is a remarkable achievement and costs us barely 1% of the cost that we were paying previously to foreign service providers!”

“Going forward, we will use the local Wi-Fi for providing additional on-board services to our customers. This is yet another step in our journey towards a stronger and a more Aatma Nirbhar airline.”

Made in India

SpiceJet’s collaboration with a local startup is backed by the strong belief in the idea of ‘Make in India’. This belief encouraged us to develop our own higher quality, low cost indigenous solution for in-flight entertainment at 35,000 feet. The technology enables us to use off the shelf, cost effective android mobile phones as the Wi-Fi server and router as well as the content hub and server.

The mobile phones are loaded with our specialized software and do not require SIM cards and each mobile phone can serve about 40 simultaneous connections. With two such mobile phones on-board, we are ready to offer every passenger the seamless high-quality movie watching experience. The entire system underwent rigorous safety checks including extensive safety and radio interference tests before being certified by the regulators to go live.

Our unique Wi-Fi server on-board allows us to quickly innovate in other areas too by developing software for other customer needs without having to depend on a foreign provider. In coming months, the food and beverage menu and duty free sale items will be available on the passenger’s mobile devices and can be ordered on-board through the device. All this and much more awaiting on-board for every SpiceJet flyer with our ’never before’ innovations aimed to give the best of flying experience.

SpiceScreen’s multimedia library

SpiceScreen’s multimedia library will host an abundance of indulging content catering to audiences across all age groups. Ranging from the latest critically acclaimed, blockbuster movies such as Gully Boy, Uri, Raazi, Parmanu and Petta, to popular TV shows like The Kapil Sharma show, Koffee with Karan and hilarious stand-up comedy specials from Kenny Sebastian, Filtercopy and What the Folks, the platform will have something for everyone.

SpiceScreen will also feature compelling regional content for users in 8 major languages – Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, Kannada, Punjabi & Gujarati – with popular regional movies like Petta, Agni Devi (Tamil), Wass..Up Zindagi (Gujarati), Mayurakshi (Bengali). Besides, fun-filled content for kids such as Super Bheem, Suppandi & Friends will keep the tiny tots pleasantly engaged on-board. 

To connect to SpiceScreen, flyers need to follow three easy steps – 1. Put your device in airplane mode. 2. Enable Wi-Fi and connect to ‘SPICESCREEN’ Wi-Fi. 3. Open your favourite browser and visit spicescreen.com