Business

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) has recorded over 12,650 reports concerning social media misuse and cybersecurity issues in 2025. This figure shows a notable increase in online fraud, digital scams, and cyber harassment compared to previous years. Charuka Damunupola, who is the Lead Information Security Engineer at Sri Lanka CERT, noted that many of these complaints are about fake accounts, hacked accounts, and financial scams happening on social media platforms. The reports also include hateful or abusive content, as well as cases of sexual harassment involving adults. He pointed out that there is a rising trend in general scams and the spread of false information, impacting both individuals and the wider community. Cybercriminals are using more advanced and deceitful tactics to exploit the growing dependence on digital channels for communication, shopping, and financial transactions. Vulnerable groups, including young people who may not be aware of online safety practices, older adults, and first-time internet users, often fall victim to these crimes. Damunupola encourages the public to stay alert, refrain from sharing personal or financial details online, verify any suspicious messages and links, and set up strong security measures like two-factor authentication and secure passwords. He also urged people to quickly report cybersecurity incidents to Sri Lanka CERT for a faster response and resolution. To enhance cyber resilience and raise awareness about digital safety across the country, Sri Lanka CERT, the main authority for responding to cybersecurity incidents, continues to work closely with law enforcement and service providers, according to Damunupola.