Digital Payments, Social Media and Cyber Safety: UPI, Phishing, Strong Passwords, Cyber Crime Helpline and IT Act for SSC
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
In this note
- 1.Modes of Digital Payment
- 2.Common Cyber Frauds
- 3.Safety Rules for Digital Payments
- 4.Strong Passwords and Authentication
- 5.Cyber Safety on Social Media
- 6.Cyber Crime Reporting in India
- 7.Solved Examples
- 8.Quick Tips
- 9.Quick Revision Points
- 10.Practice Questions With Answers
- 11.How to Practise This Chapter
- 12.Frequently Asked Questions
PDF Notes: Digital Payments, Social Media and Cyber Safety: UPI, Phishing, Strong Passwords, Cyber Crime Helpline and IT Act for SSC
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Digital payments and online safety are growing topics in the SSC computer awareness section and are also useful in daily life. This guide on digital payments, social media and cyber safety for SSC covers the modes of digital payment, the common frauds, the safety rules, the cyber crime helpline and the Information Technology Act, with practice questions and FAQs.
Modes of Digital Payment
| Mode | Features |
|---|---|
| UPI (Unified Payments Interface) | Instant payment from the bank account through a mobile app using a virtual payment address (VPA) or a QR code; developed by the NPCI (2016); works 24 × 7 |
| Net banking | Transfers using the bank’s website: NEFT (in batches), RTGS (large amounts, real-time, minimum 2 lakh rupees), IMPS (instant, 24 × 7) |
| Debit and credit cards | Payment through a POS machine or online; RuPay, Visa and Mastercard |
| Mobile wallets | Prepaid wallets such as Paytm and PhonePe wallet |
| USSD (*99#) | Banking through the basic phones without the internet |
| AePS (Aadhaar enabled Payment System) | Banking with Aadhaar and fingerprint |
| Digital rupee (e₹) | The central bank digital currency of the RBI |
Common Cyber Frauds
| Fraud | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Fake emails or websites that look real to steal passwords and card details | An email from a fake bank asks you to update your KYC by clicking a link |
| Vishing | Voice phishing: a fraud by a phone call | A caller pretending to be a bank officer asks for your OTP |
| Smishing | Phishing through SMS | An SMS about a prize or a pending parcel with a link |
| Identity theft | Using someone’s personal details | Taking a loan with another person’s documents |
| Malware, ransomware | Harmful software; ransomware locks the files and demands money | A downloaded fake app |
| Skimming | Copying the card data with a device on an ATM | A hidden device on a card reader |
| QR code scam | Asking you to scan a QR code to receive money | A buyer sends a QR code and asks you to scan to get the payment |
| Sim swap | The fraudster gets a duplicate SIM to receive your OTP | – |
| Fake customer care | Fake numbers shown in search results | – |
Safety Rules for Digital Payments
- Never share your OTP, PIN, CVV, password or UPI PIN with anyone, including a person claiming to be from the bank.
- You enter the UPI PIN only to send money; you do not need to enter the PIN to receive money.
- Do not click on the unknown links; check the website address (the lock sign and https are important but not a proof of safety).
- Install apps only from the official stores; check the app developer and reviews.
- Use the official numbers of the bank printed on the card or website.
- Check the SMS alerts and the bank statements regularly.
- Do not use the public Wi-Fi for banking.
- Block the card and report immediately if it is lost.
Strong Passwords and Authentication
- A strong password has at least 8 to 12 characters with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols, and is not a name or a birth date.
- Use different passwords for different accounts; use a password manager if needed.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second step, such as an OTP or a fingerprint, after the password.
- Biometrics: fingerprint, face and iris recognition.
- Change passwords regularly and log out of shared computers.
Cyber Safety on Social Media
- Keep the privacy settings strict; do not share the personal information, address, phone number or the travel plan.
- Do not accept the friend requests from strangers; beware of fake profiles.
- Do not share or forward the unverified messages (fake news).
- Cyberbullying and harassment must be reported to the platform and the police.
- Think before posting; the data online stays for long (digital footprint).
Cyber Crime Reporting in India
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| National Cyber Crime Helpline | 1930 (for financial frauds; report quickly to freeze the money) |
| Online portal | cybercrime.gov.in (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal) |
| CERT-In | Indian Computer Emergency Response Team; the national agency for cyber security incidents |
| Information Technology Act, 2000 | The main law on cyber crimes and e-commerce in India; amended in 2008 |
| IT Act Section | Offence |
|---|---|
| 66 | Computer-related offences (hacking) |
| 66C | Identity theft |
| 66D | Cheating by personation using a computer |
| 66E | Violation of privacy |
| 66F | Cyber terrorism |
| 67 | Publishing or transmitting obscene material |
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 protects the personal data of the people and sets the duties of the organisations that process it.
Solved Examples
Example 1. Do you need to enter the UPI PIN to receive money?
No. Only to send money.
Example 2. What is a fraud by an SMS called?
Smishing.
Example 3. What is the national cyber crime helpline number?
1930.
Example 4. What does 2FA stand for?
Two-factor authentication.
Quick Tips
- Never share your OTP, PIN or CVV.
- Remember that you do not need a PIN to receive money.
- Call 1930 immediately in case of a financial fraud.
- Use strong, different passwords and enable 2FA.
Quick Revision Points
- UPI was developed by the NPCI.
- Phishing is by email, vishing by call, smishing by SMS.
- The cyber crime helpline is 1930.
- The IT Act was passed in 2000.
- 2FA gives extra security.
Practice Questions With Answers
- Which body developed UPI?
Answer: NPCI - What is a fraud by a phone call called?
Answer: Vishing - What is the helpline number for the reporting of cyber financial fraud?
Answer: 1930 - In which year was the IT Act passed?
Answer: 2000 - What is a fraud email that steals your details called?
Answer: Phishing - What does OTP stand for?
Answer: One-time password - Which section of the IT Act deals with identity theft?
Answer: Section 66C - What is RTGS?
Answer: Real-time gross settlement for large payments - What is the safe way to receive money by UPI?
Answer: Do not enter the PIN or scan any code for receiving - What is malware?
Answer: Harmful software
How to Practise This Chapter
Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Computer Awareness notes page, read the previous topic MS Excel and PowerPoint Basics and the next topic Important Computer Abbreviations Quick List.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UPI?
A system for instant bank-to-bank money transfer through a mobile app.
What is phishing?
A trick to steal sensitive information using fake emails or websites.
What is vishing?
A fraud done through a phone call.
What is an OTP?
A one-time password that is valid for a short time.
Should I share my OTP with the bank?
No. The bank never asks for your OTP or PIN.
What is 2FA?
Two-factor authentication, which needs a second proof of identity after the password.
What is the number of the cyber crime helpline?
1930.
What is CERT-In?
The national agency for the response to cyber security incidents.
What is the IT Act?
The Information Technology Act, 2000, the main cyber law of India.
Is this topic asked in SSC?
Yes. Digital payments and cyber safety are regularly asked.
What is a strong password?
A long password with letters, numbers and symbols that is hard to guess.
What is ransomware?
Malware that locks the files and asks for money.
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Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.