Pause before you pay: thousands join cyber safety march to promote safer online habits in Hyderabad

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Telangana Director General of Police C.V. Anand, Principal Secretary, Home, and Telangana Cyber Security Bureau Director, Shikha Goel and other senior officers launch the Cyber Security Awareness Month poster at People's Plaza, Necklace Road, in Hyderabad on Thursday. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Thousands of mobile phone flashlights and LED wristbands lit up Necklace Road on Thursday (October 1) evening as around 3,000 people walked with a simple message against cyber fraud: pause, think and verify before you click, share or pay.

The two-kilometre ‘Cyber Security Flash – Pause for Safety’ Light March, organised by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) at People’s Plaza, marked the beginning of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Telangana. The theme for this year is ‘Don’t Make It Easy for Them’.

The participants included police personnel, students, ex-servicemen, members of the industrial and factory community, Sahachari women volunteers from Malkajgiri, and families and other citizens from across Hyderabad. As the march moved along Necklace Road, participants switched on their mobile phone flashlights and LED wristbands in a display meant to symbolise vigilance against cyber fraud.

Citizens, students and volunteers participating in the  ‘Cyber Security Flash – Pause for Safety’ Light March organised by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) at People's Plaza, Necklace Road, in Hyderabad on Thursday. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

“Cyber fraud today reaches people through the phone in their pocket, and fraudsters depend on one thing: that we act in a hurry,” said Telangana Director General of Police C.V. Anand after flagging off the march.

Calling an alert citizen the “first line of defence”, the DGP said pausing for a few seconds before clicking a link, sharing information or making a payment could prevent a large share of frauds.

Actor Adivi Sesh, who attended the event as guest of honour, said online fraud could target anyone, from students and working professionals to parents at home. “Fraudsters count on us acting in a hurry, and the one thing that protects us is taking a moment to stop and check,” he said.

The event kicked off a month-long campaign that will take the cyber safety message across Telangana. Shikha Goel, Principal Secretary, Home Department, and Director, TGCSB, said police units across the State would conduct awareness programmes targeting students, women, senior citizens, working professionals and businesses.

“Our mantra for cyber safety is simple: ‘Pause. Think. Verify.’ Before clicking a link, before sharing information, before responding to an unexpected request or before making a payment,” she said.

The campaign will conclude on October 31 with similar Cyber Security Flash walks in every district, to be flagged off by the respective Superintendents and Commissioners of Police.

Before Thursday’s march, an awareness poster, an AI-based awareness video and a cyber awareness film were launched. Five stalls were also set up by TGCSB, Telangana Narcotics Enforcement Wing (EAGLE), Hyderabad SHE Teams, Cyberabad Traffic Wing and the Fire Department, covering cybercrime, narcotics, women’s safety, traffic and fire safety.

The four Commissioners of Police of Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Malkajgiri and Future City, along with other senior police officials, attended the event.

Police also reiterated that victims of financial cyber fraud should immediately call the 1930 helpline, stressing that reporting during the first hour could significantly improve the chances of recovering the money.

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