Microsoft disrupted!

After massive global outage, Microsoft restoring services

Microsoft has said that it was working to get back its services amid an outage that disrupted public services and businesses globally.

Elevated load caused it, says tech co

The outage, which hit several Microsoft products, disrupted health care services, delayed corporate earnings reports and left schools struggling to communicate. Microsoft attributed the disruption to "elevated load" on its technology infrastructure.

IndiGo, Akasa Air e-mail services hit

* In India, airline IndiGo said its email services were impacted, while Akasa Air said its email services         were experiencing delays. Air India said its flight operations remained unaffected.

* Microsoft said it did not have any indication that the global outage was caused by any kind of                     malicious activity or threat actors.

43 crore people globally use services of Microsoft on a daily basis.  

AI-era cybercrimes.

In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the concept of phishing and other cybersecurity threats has evolved by leaps and bounds. With threats posing risks to various elements like personal identity, security and finances - the misuse of AI agents, bots and services has now become an issue that we all have to deal with. Here are five major scams that are currently surging in India and how do we protect ourselves from them.

1. Digital Arrest Video Calls

Posing as or impersonating officials from law enforcement agencies - often using AI deepfakes - scammers design a call that often manipulates victims into getting lured onto a video call using fear, deceit and intimidation. Threats of arrest and freezing bank accounts are common ways to instil panic. Their modus operandi includes using fake documents, fake videos or doctored arrest warrants to make a false claim.

How to deal with it?

The best way to avoid getting scammed is to spread awareness among your circle that Digital Arrest does not exist in India. Should you encounter such a call, immediately hang up.

2. AI Audio Cloning

This scam leaves people perplexed when a mere seconds-long audio message or audio from an Instagram reel or YouTube video ends up getting cloned using AI. They use voices of relatives via an unknown phone number plunging them into a state of panic. 

How to deal with it?

A good way to combat this would be to have a safe word known only within the family to best determine the genuineness of the voice.

3. AI Agent Fraud

Advisories and notifications from bodies like CERT-In and India's Ministry of Home Affairs advised banks, NBFCs and payment aggregators to beware of a new scam that involves the deployment of AI agents by cyber criminals to carry out micro-testing of compromised bank accounts before draining them of large amounts.

How to deal with it?

A helpful way to stay ahead of this scam would be to enable instant push and SMS alerts for even Re.1 debit or credit transaction, as that is often the amount received during the micro-testing by these agents. The next step is to immediately halt your card or UPI services to report and deal with this issue.

4. Courier Scams

IVR and voice bots are increasingly being used by scammers to pose as delivery or executive professionals from big courier companies, claiming the victim's packages are on hold during transit. Intimidation with a 'call transfer' to a deepfaked narcotics and customs official in order to extort money.

How to deal with it?

* Must understand that courier companies do not 'connect' customers to such officials directly over the       telephone.

* Check tracking and order details from the official websites.

5. Fake Portals

Cyber criminals have begun using AI to build fake websites that clone or imitate official ticket bookings. The scammers employ AI bots that collect UPI payments and ID details, conduct transactions that cannot be traced later.

How to deal with it?

* Double-check these domains

* Booking tickets through authorised ticketing partners reduces the scope of such threats online.   

Back at The Quarterdeck!

Our day had begun at 5 AM, went through the chores, recited my prayers and was ready well before 7. Kicked off by a 10' past 7 to the Mridanga Saileswari temple at Iritty. Breakfast was off the Kannur airport around a quarter past 8.

Was fascinated by the story of this goddess that was narrated by former DGP (Prisons), Alexander Jacob. His first posting as a young, SP, in the area where he had gone about assessing various factors from the security angle. He'd come across the temple which was rich and was appalled by the total lack of security around the temple and its premises. He did express his concerns to the temple authorities but was surprised with the lukewarm responses.

A few months on his taking over, thieves had robbed the temple. 48 hours later, the stolen stuff was retrieved and the guys were apprehended. It was then that he was told of a peculiar phenomenon that happened there - anyone who robbed the temple's wealth went through the following :-

       * lost their sense of direction and

       * developed loose motions!

The harried guys dumped their loot and scooted! Probably, it was the Goddess's way of looking after herself!

We'd a good 'darshan' and resumed our return journey. Lunch was at 'Flavia', in Kottakkal' around 2.

We reached The Quarterdeck by a quarter past 3. Rema and Padmakumar set off for Thrippunithura soon after, as Achu-Karthika were there since yesterday, after their outing to Gavi. Monish, our 'sa'arthi' left for Kottarakkara a while later.

Rejith was called up to collect our clothes for drycleaning. Opened up the house, unpacked the luggage and the usual evening activities were gone through.

Tailpiece.

A nice, short trip!

At Thaliparamba!

Got up at a half past 3, went through our chores, recited my prayers and was ready by a half past 4. Earlier, had my morning cuppa from an outside shop and bought one for Lekha too.

We set off for the Mookambika temple by a half past 4, got into the queue and had a good ‘darshan’ of the Devi; were out of the temple by a quarter past 6. Kicked off from the Shwetha Hotel by 7.

Saw the following temples enroute:-

      * the Sri Krishna Math at Udupi

      * Kadri Manjunath temple at Mangalore 

      * Mangaladevi temple at Mangalore 

      * Sri Anandapadmanabha temple at Kasaragod

Breakfast was at Udupi and the “annaprashnam” at the Sri Anandapadmanabha temple at Kasaragod was our lunch.

Visited the PN Panicker Sauhrida Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Parkalai at Kasaragod. The Principal and the staff had arranged a rousing reception for us, at the shortest possible time. It was a nostalgic walk down memory lane!

Had a quick evening wash and change at the VA Tourist Residency. Darshan of the good Lord at the Raja Rajeswara temple at Thaliparamba with help from Rema’s friend, Valsala. Later, had dinner with Balan and Valsala at their residence!

Tucked into bed by a half past 11.

At the Mookambika temple.

Our day had begun at 4, with Lekha’s cellphone alarm. We went through the chores, had our morning cuppa with Rema and Padmakumar.

Went through the chores and was ready by a quarter to 7 and kicked off by 10’ to 7. Had breakfast at Ramanaattukara and Pradeep’s had served us cheerfully. We’d complimented her for her pleasant demeanour.

The day was fine and the weather was good. We saw the Maadaayi Kavi and the surroundings. Got to know the import of the saying, “Maadaayikku poyathu poley”. We talked about a number of things and had fun. 

Lunch was at Udupi Garden and it was nice and light

Tea and a snack were at Coondapoor. Reached the Mookambika temple premises by a half past 5. Rema-Padmakumar met Shri Adiga, a tantri and fixed our darshan at a half past 7.

A quick wash and change and we were at the temple by a quarter to 8. Waited for our turn and the Goddess came out at about a half past 8 for the three ceremonial chukkers around the temple 

We were the final devotees at the sanctum Santorum and had a good darshan of the Mookambika Devi. Had the Prasadam of “kasha Syam” too.

Dinner at the Sri Venkateswara Restaurant close by. Hit the sack by a half past 11.

Managing periods.

Menstrual health education has yet to find a consistent place in Indian schools. While some institutions organise awareness programs and workshops, others give the subject little attention. Students and experts say schools need to devote more classroom time to menstruation, menstrual hygiene and the support available to them. 

The real impact of a comprehensive menstrual health education is when a girl can manage her period safely, confidently and without shame; boys understand it without embarrassment; teachers respond without judgement and schools have systems to support everyone.

What schools should provide

Schools should provide sanitary  pad supply counters or vending machines, incinerators or other proper disposal facilities and clean functional toilets. Emergency kits should contain sanitary pads, spare underwear, soap and basic pain-relief medication for students who may need them.

Am proud to say that the PN Panicker Foundation has been contributing toward this end by providing free sanitary napkins, along with vending machines, to schools!

5 Pillars of Menstrual Health Education

* Knowledge. Explaining puberty, menstrual cycles and bodily changes

* Dignity. Challenging stigma, myths and discrimination surrounding menstruation

* Health. Teaching hygiene, nutrition and healthy pain-management practices

* Equity. Ensuring access to products, clean toilets and disposal facilities

* Agency. Developing body autonomy, consent and self-advocacy skills 

Missing nutrients?

16 silent signs you're missing a nutrient.

  1. Numb hands                         -        Vitamin B12

  2. No appetite                           -        Zinc

  3. Short of breath                      -         Iron

  4. Irritability                             -         Magnesium

  5. Dry eyes                               -         Vitamin A

  6. Cold hands                           -          Iron

  7. Dry mouth                            -         Vitamin A

  8. Forgetfulness                        -         Omega-3

  9. Leg cramps                           -         Magnesium

10. Foggy mind                          -         Vitamin B12

11. Dry/Itchy skin                      -          Vitamin E

12. Bleeding gums                     -          Vitamin C

13. Hair falling out                    -           Iron

14. Tired all day                         -          Vitamin D

15. Feeling low                          -          Vitamin B6

16. Sugar cravings                     -           Magnesium