Indian govt offering free tool to remove malware from your phone: how to download and use

With the increasing number of malware attacks and scams, the security of people's devices is becoming a major concern. To address this issue and assist individuals in safeguarding their smartphones, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced several free bot removal tools. The government is also actively reaching out to users via SMS notifications to spread awareness about it.

Recently, you may have received a text message from the government that reads: "Stay Cyber Safe! To protect your device from botnet infections and malware, the Government of India, through CERT-In, recommends downloading the 'Free Bot Removal Tool' at csk.gov.in."

This SMS serves as a reminder to users to stay safe online and take precautions to safeguard their devices against botnet infections and malware threats.

But what exactly is botnet detection and where can individuals access these government-provided free tools?

What is Cyber Swachhta Kendra portal

According to the government's announcement, individuals can now access free malware detection tools through the Cyber Swachhta Kendra portal. This portal, also known as the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre, operates in collaboration with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and antivirus companies, under the management of the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). The website provides information and tools to users to secure their systems/devices.

The primary objective of this initiative is to establish a secure cyberspace by actively identifying and detecting botnet infections within India.

What is botnet infection

A botnet is a network of devices like smartphones or computers that have been infected with malware called 'bot'. Once a device is infected and becomes part of the botnet, the malware gives hackers control over the infected computers. This control enables them to carry out various malicious activities, including sending spam, blocking outgoing and incoming texts and calls, and even accessing sensitive information such as net banking details, usernames, and passwords.

Your device can get infected by a Bot if you:

1. Open an infected attachment in an email
2. Click on a malicious link in an email or on a website
3. Download a file from an untrusted source
4. Use a public Wi-Fi network that is not secure

How to remove malware and botnet

To check if your device is infected with a botnet or remove the bots and malware,

• Go to the CSK website: www.csk.gov.in/
• Click on the "Security Tools" tab.
• Select the antivirus company whose bot removal tool you want to use.
• Click on the "Download" button to download the tool.
• For Windows users: Download one of the free bot removal tools listed, such as eScan Antivirus, K7 Security, or Quick Heal.
• For Android users: Go to the Google Play Store and search for and download the 'eScan CERT-IN Bot Removal' tool or 'M-Kavach 2' developed by C-DAC Hyderabad.
• Once the app has been downloaded, run it on your device.
• The app will scan your device for malware and remove any infections that are found.

Apart from the bot removal tools, the CSK portal also offers other security applications such as 'USB Pratirodh' and 'AppSamvid'. Users have the option to download these apps to enhance their security.

'USB Pratirodh' is a desktop tool designed to regulate the usage of removable storage media, including phones and pen drives. Whenever a new USB device is connected, users are required to provide a username and password for authentication purposes. Additionally, this tool also scans USB devices for malware, encrypts data, and allows changes to read/write permissions.

For Windows users, there's 'AppSamvid', an application that only runs approved files on the operating system. It lets users create lists of trusted executables and Java files. Users can also secure the app with a password. 'AppSamvid' protects the system from viruses, trojans, and other malware.