tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post8426723037465871341..comments2024-02-08T22:01:40.101+05:30Comments on Indian Military : Service Benefits and Issues: Social media and the Armed Forces : Need to refrain from knee-jerk reactionsNavdeep / Maj Navdeep Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11481215977936848477noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-10016920327902997392012-04-10T22:59:03.264+05:302012-04-10T22:59:03.264+05:30Security cannot be ensured by methods of denial. I...Security cannot be ensured by methods of denial. It has be ensured through education and creating concern amongst personnel.<br />Senior Officers have fixed ideas. How many are on Social sites? Very few. They are also apprehensive of being butt of comments and criticism. However social media interaction is going to increase. However you may create barriers people will find way out. In fact army should use it as a tool of force multiplier. May be they have yet not given any thought to that.PS Randhawanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-58277033840079641782012-03-20T19:25:14.717+05:302012-03-20T19:25:14.717+05:30an additional info i just came accross. see the de...an additional info i just came accross. see the details of <br />how amazon.com handles online shopping for APO customers in the US<br /><br />https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=ox_shipaddress_apo_help?ie=UTF8&nodeId=773768&pop-up=1Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-46317715656647709382012-03-20T19:14:08.544+05:302012-03-20T19:14:08.544+05:30yes, the threat of hacking and info leakage does e...yes, the threat of hacking and info leakage does exist. Officers and their family members have to be sensitized about the same, but steps like dont reveal you are a fauji, dont do thisetc etc are illogical.<br /><br />But has the organisation done anything????? other than choking the throat..????<br />1. what has the organisation done to ensure that all officers / units get secure internet connections?<br /><br />2. has the organisation entered into any agreement with mobile companies who will offer mobile connections in military stations with limited info, the details of which are available only within the organisation HQ? <br /><br />3. Has the organisation done anything to evolve itself to the "net world", other than creation of pathetically and childishly designed webpages which still have poor quality gifs jumping around? <br /><br />4. Has the organisation tried to ensure that websites have a coloumn of C/o 56 APO or 99 APO in their address info to help the 'Net savvy' faujis to buy stuff online? <br /><br />5. has it tied up with atleast major net shopping websites, mobile companies, banks etc so that the send thier packages/mail with APO address through post and not through courier?? <br /><br />there are a million things an organisation with a positive outlook to technology can do, which we definitely are not. Some of the things that can be done:<br /><br />1. Provide secure internet connections (by means of additional firewalls or whatever means) to the cantt areas through the local signal units or another entirely seperate organisation. tby this method the extent of hacking can be drastically reduced if such attcaks are blocked at the level of the service provider. Also the issue of poor internet connectivity in cantt ares can be resolved.<br /><br />2. enter into agreement with mobile operators to provide mobile connections ( with random numbers)through an agency at formation/ station levels, who will act as middle men in providing connections to service personnel. the identity of the individuals can be with held at this level and can be shared with mobile company as on required basis. Billing maybe handled by this agency if security of identity is such a big issue ( which in my personal opinion is not).<br /><br />2. Ensure(atlesat within India) that C/o *^ APO is mandatory in the address coloumns of web pages and application form for banks accounts/mobile connections, passports etc etc. Most of the offrs are in a fix as to what address to give on the net or in applications, as city, state etc are mandatory fields in almost every type of info. C/o *& APO address must be waived off these.<br />most of us end up getting phone bills, bank statements on address such as <br />" !@# regiment" ,C/0 *& APO, <br /> abcdef city, xyz state,<br />Pin 9*&^&$ "<br />now this is what you call info security, but what can the poor guy do? the city and state is a mandatory field. Got the point? the organisation should do something to sort this out, instead of sending letters saying do not disclose location blah blah.. <br /><br />we are trying to ape the military techniques and doctrines of the western world but not the technology part of it. <br /><br />example of WHAT TO DO with internet is :<br /><br />http://www.ts2.pl/en/Internet-in-Iraq-and-Afghanistan<br /><br />http://www.ts2.pl/en/Order-form-for-soldiers-in-Iraq<br /><br />(*** look at the address details they ask for, just APO etc etc and not the conventional zip, city, state etc***)<br /><br /><br />and not :<br /><br />http://www.rediff.com/news/report/indian-army-draws-loc-on-internet-use-for-officers/20120127.htm<br /><br />so.... together we can go ahead with time, or go back to the stone age.. YOU DECIDE.<br /><br />PS : sorry for being anonymous, you never know "they" might find something leaked even on this reply !!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-78185873164308618612012-03-09T08:18:10.794+05:302012-03-09T08:18:10.794+05:30Hi Navdeep! Lets have an update from you on acti...Hi Navdeep! Lets have an update from you on action taken by Navy if any. It will be interestingMadan G Singhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13018042399396099592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-1001978937271199222012-02-26T18:21:09.786+05:302012-02-26T18:21:09.786+05:30All those who are from old school of thought and ...All those who are from old school of thought and feel that locations of our formation are highly confidential,are sadly mistaken 'cos this info is readily avail online. Pls check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Military_units_and_formations_of_the_Indian_Army<br /><br />moreover if these locations were so confidential, we would not have seen various news reports of change of command with the name of general officer of such formations which clearly give out the name of formation with location. It has become our tendency now to glorify all large scale events in the media, and we even attempt to glorify small events by spending huge amount of money on media coverage. Where does the sense of the General Officers go, when the media persons come to know about the entire ORBAT of that particular formation??? We need to be deliberate in our thinking as to classify what info is classified and what is not...viveknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-75824177239754340962012-02-15T16:54:11.112+05:302012-02-15T16:54:11.112+05:30it seems that instead of becoming more advanced we...it seems that instead of becoming more advanced we are rocketing back to medieval times why doesn't fauj gives faujis CDMA mobiles (high encryption Tech) to be used for official purpose with CUG limitations no problem in hacking or closed ended OEM ie no one else could use this kind of software or programme unless cleared by an administrator or a multiple layeredadministrator then all faujis could yell out everything but in a closed cuircitfaransqihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11457921894397068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-83782599878549698692012-02-04T18:11:33.726+05:302012-02-04T18:11:33.726+05:30well said. Bravo!well said. Bravo!Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03039054931532406402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-28730947183270826232012-02-03T11:25:07.606+05:302012-02-03T11:25:07.606+05:30@ Reason,
Janaab, Pachis saalon se aap logon ki...@ Reason,<br /> Janaab, Pachis saalon se aap logon ki baat sunte sunte pak gaya hoon. Fauj ka haal din-pe-din kharab hota gaya hai. Same simple commands - Do not apply your mind. Follow orders blindly. Do not fight the "system". Now every Tom Dick and Harry who has a Computer and reasonable hold in English tries to make a rule whether he has the maloom or not. Chamde ke sikke chal rahein hain. Now, who was the person who made this rule? (No Facebook allowed). I can get anyone's location to his nearest Civil Exchange* by hacking him or getting his IP address. So can anybody with simple tools. Why was this particular rule made then? Because somebody thought that the location of Army men could be found. Maybe the person who made the rule is in Army Intelligence and is quite unaware of the fact that as it is your location is known. I doubt it. Maybe the rule was made for no reason or because the person making the rule<br />a) Thought he has some superior knowledge.<br />b) Wants Fauj to earn MSP? <br />c) Realised that there is no way you can educate Fauj. <br />d) They realised that making an example out of 2 officers of Navy will fall flat on the face. <br />e) No such order has been passed and this info was posted on the web just to Gauge the reaction of the Army. <br /><br /> Remember, one inch given now will result in a foot being taken tomorrow. The Army will not be able to recover the Ground Lost for all eternity. Even if the Web becomes a safe vault, a right once relinquished will remain till eternity. Blind Faith & Reasonable response ka time nikal gaya dost. Ab bhi Jaag Jayo ya seekh lo.<br />Today it is Facebook, tommorow it will be e-mail. Day after it will be net banking ...Rajaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06387298882184078882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-58242783944752998892012-02-02T20:45:41.661+05:302012-02-02T20:45:41.661+05:30rajx
i know u will not listen to any reasoned voi...rajx <br />i know u will not listen to any reasoned voice . this is youth . keep it up . are bhai jawani me khoon nahi garam hoga to kab hoga .reasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-28429019123784803182012-02-02T19:32:04.078+05:302012-02-02T19:32:04.078+05:30@ Air Marshal Savur,
Sir. Going ahead with th...@ Air Marshal Savur,<br /><br /> Sir. Going ahead with the times and ways youngsters (including Hackers like Anonymous) operate, we need to generate so much of data that it is impossible to separate the Wheat from the Chaff. Operate like the Chindits, Guerrillas or Marxists. Mingle with the Public and adopt the Internet. In fact Army personnel should inundate the Net with duff info so that the en cannot glean actionable intelligence. <br />Regards,Rajaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06387298882184078882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-85433981279954341092012-02-02T17:18:18.810+05:302012-02-02T17:18:18.810+05:30Internet is a new medium to many in the Armed Forc...Internet is a new medium to many in the Armed Forces. And as happens with a new toy, there will be instances of playing with it too much to ascertain the limits. It also caters to the "media starvation" that many of us older timers were deprived of - the thrill of seeing our names in the paper or electronic media. <br /><br />Instead to bringing the sledgehammer down on junior officers and other cadre, it would and should be the duty of the Defence and Services PROs to advise them on the implications of not being prudent and why TMI (Too Much Information) is not a good idea. <br /><br />But we must encourage healthy interaction and express and discuss views for improvement of the MoD and the respective Services.<br /><br />Air Mshl (retd) S Y SavurAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-39368339141308709372012-01-31T10:00:46.965+05:302012-01-31T10:00:46.965+05:30I am reproducing below a letter that I happened to...I am reproducing below a letter that I happened to read. Hope he can be guided.<br />"Sir<br />I am Ex-Sgt from Air Force and joined SBI in clerical cader. I am not given the benifit of pay protection which i read on your blog at http://www.indianmilitary.info/2010/04/changes-in-pay-fixation-rules-on-re.html <br /> <br />here SBI is taking only our Basic Pay and DA only and not considering Grade Pay, MSP etc for pay protection.<br /> <br />I have been trying hard to get any letter or Govt orders, but could not achieve it.<br /> <br />May i request you, to please forward me details on pay protection for Ex-seviceman with reference to letter no etc or any soft copy of Govt orders etc you have with you."<br /><br />His email address is<br />dineshjakhmola@yahoo.com<br /><br />Gp Capt A B MehtaA B Mehtahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537334521463089993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-84371256207424154582012-01-30T21:35:08.431+05:302012-01-30T21:35:08.431+05:30It is very difficult and unreasonable to totaly ba...It is very difficult and unreasonable to totaly ban the use of social media by the Defence Personnel. A defence average family consists of siblings not totaly dedicated or employed in Defence Services. The following safeguards are suggested please :-<br />(a) Donot use Rank just the name or nickname.(b) No information of Armyactivities,location,photograph postings, promotions,grievances only general information etc.(c) Avoid character assessinations, unparliamentary language or offensive photos or things like it.PLAIN AND SIMPLE PARTICIPATE AS A AN AVERAGE DECENT CIVILIAN AND ALSO EDUCATE YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TO DO THE SAME Best of luck and CHEERSLT.COL.HS DHAM( MAHARS )https://www.blogger.com/profile/00031691373892889347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-57279453085407170122012-01-29T21:23:10.866+05:302012-01-29T21:23:10.866+05:30@Anonymous January 29, 2012:"..banning mobile...@Anonymous January 29, 2012:<i>"..banning mobile phones seems like a good idea to a few of the bloggers.."</i><br />That's not what anyone has been advocating here. There's certainly a need over such devices in secure areas, during sensitive situations or when ops are on.<br />What is all this talk of Tianneman square? That happened in the middle of Beijing. I am sure the Red Army does not permit it's personnel to be texting sms's to their families when they patrol their borders :-)Dhoophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461434428038701574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-26925254522655046912012-01-29T21:21:49.452+05:302012-01-29T21:21:49.452+05:30Internet as a system is here to stay, atleast it l...Internet as a system is here to stay, atleast it looks like that after PIPA/SOPA were withheld. Every system has its pros and cons and so is it with Internet. Just like we would not like our kids to be exposed to the dark side of internet, similarly the dark side needs to be explained to members of AF. <br /><br />Not every one is tech savvy when it comes to Internet. One might be a great user of mobile services, but Internet is another being. Rather than banning or making things inaccessible, best is to educate people and of course make an example of people who err on the wrong side.<br /><br />There is no doubt there is plethora of information available on Internet regarding everything about AF. But people do take information available on internet with a pinch of salt. Thus one doesn't have to be a willing partner in bed with someone looking out to "piece together the jigsaw".Kapsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-60911427251469170762012-01-29T11:54:39.606+05:302012-01-29T11:54:39.606+05:30remember when google showed all the sattelite imag...remember when google showed all the sattelite images on the net for every mortal being... people in power threw tantrums in name of national security.<br /><br />banning mobile phones seems like a good idea to a few of the bloggers but look a bit into the future. no mobile phones, your officers won't understand the functioning of a smart phone. so when they see someone using it they won't be able to differentiate wehether he is spying or reading ebook of his course.<br /><br />the security conceps that the armed servcices follow needs a relook with changing times. in 1962, 1965, 1971, 1984, indian govt banned news paper reports. 20 yrs later chinese govt couldn't hide tiamin square, with latest being, wikileaks.<br /><br />somebody in security dept needs to have a relook at concept of security.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-33002989601953687092012-01-29T11:29:34.320+05:302012-01-29T11:29:34.320+05:30@Anonymous January 29, 2012: You are citing existi...@Anonymous January 29, 2012: You are citing existing potential sources through which security of information can be compromised. But, that does not mean we have to create an environment where such threats can multiply.<br />Indeed, the new communications paradigm poses challenges, and everyone needs to upgrade awareness levels all round to live and deal with this new reality.<br />There's no room for an ostrich like head in the sand orientation and to insist going back to ways of old is the only solution.<br />But to have another kind of head in the sand orientation with this attitude of <i>"security be damned, my own convenience and networking aspirations come first"</i> is hardly going to meet security requirements of the services.Dhoophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461434428038701574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-80645337732631412642012-01-29T10:11:39.874+05:302012-01-29T10:11:39.874+05:30Dear Maj Navdeep, I would like it if corona8, tika...Dear Maj Navdeep, I would like it if corona8, tikamchand, cherian etc can direct their opinions to my blog which I created yesterday (I have never blogged previously) so that I can counter their arguments there instead of spamming your Blog. <br />We in fauj learn 2 things - (a) Follow Orders (b) Do not apply your mind. Besides this some of us get better at unnecessary and specious argumentation and quoting rules. Pls direct them to :- http://hackmeifucann.blogspot.com/<br />They can also reach the blog by rightclicking my name.Rajaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06387298882184078882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-7091048634641355712012-01-29T10:05:45.744+05:302012-01-29T10:05:45.744+05:30Forces need to keep in tune with time.I agree with...Forces need to keep in tune with time.I agree with Navdeep in that ArmedForces need to strike a balance.Study how US Navy or Navies of western world are facing upto Social Media challenge. And many spouses of Army men are active and they may be unknowingly giving out info. So Armed Forces can set up a social networking and allow verified civilians to join that. Denying Social network would be a huge dampner for youth!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-31905050968802519522012-01-29T00:37:53.342+05:302012-01-29T00:37:53.342+05:30@ Col Kurup
And you please search through your fi...@ Col Kurup<br /><br />And you please search through your file for how many official letters are there which want the mobile number of the OIC of the event or QRT or Project. On one hand we want 24/7 availability of officers and then we want this primitve c/o 56 APO. Do you have any idea how many calls to officers right upto the Naval Chief may have been put through on his cellphone? And you think all of them were only for UNCLAS gossip?!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-6803968304314084182012-01-29T00:30:18.788+05:302012-01-29T00:30:18.788+05:30@Col Kurup
You certainly are one of the very prec...@Col Kurup<br /><br />You certainly are one of the very precise examples of the proverbial frog in the well.<br /><br />Do you have any idea of how many civilian vendors visit every unit of the Indian Army? How many Supply Orders and RFPs are floated in a Corps Zone? How many Baniya shops, casual labours, porters exist even in units occupying Siachen? <br /><br />I won't challenge your technical solitude by highlighting larger issues but suffice to say that this stupid concept of C/O 56 APO and Tac Numbers is obsolete and downright stupid. 99% of the Infantry and Armoured units you'll find a board containing their Tac number on the road and on their entrance gate - a huge display of their entire history. <br /><br />So who are we trying to fool here?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-63371539427960193472012-01-29T00:09:57.436+05:302012-01-29T00:09:57.436+05:30An excellent and very topical post Maj Navdeep. Th...An excellent and very topical post Maj Navdeep. The Navy action was outright shocking, its a case of ignorant seniors feeding on their own people. <br /><br />On one hand we have policy letters stating Army Officers should be educated about social networking, including practicals, and then we have this total disconnect. There is also a huge chatter about Net Centric Warfare & automation but then we also have some illiterate seniors of WW2 vintage who want to isolate the organisation into a well. <br /><br />Almost the entire ORBAT including locations and names of Commanders is freely available on the Internet not just for India but most large nations. <br /><br />It is the senior who ordered this action who needs to be court martialled for causing harm to the organisation instead of these convenient middle rung scapegoats. We didn't stop fighting in the night once NVDs were invented but some folks don't understand that the battlefield and the world is increasingly becoming transparent and information is there to be searched.<br /><br />Thanks a lot for raising the issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-43114760859024731882012-01-28T22:44:01.401+05:302012-01-28T22:44:01.401+05:30rajax yes no body can force u to believe what is t...rajax yes no body can force u to believe what is told , but as long as u are in fauz or in any service private or civil or fauz , u can be forced to obey what is told to u , even if u dont believe it . believe it or not this is the prevailing practice and u also follow this .cheriannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-27986030152237637412012-01-28T22:38:51.121+05:302012-01-28T22:38:51.121+05:30rajx cool down . u may not be under surveillance ....rajx cool down . u may not be under surveillance . but greater discretion is necessary while online . i know one of my friend got cheated of rs 9 lakhs tfd out of his account to an account in remote villege . there are numereous incidence of breach of radio security in units . in my view careless and defiant attitude is not required . in my view there is no need of a gag order . but certainly greater training and awareness about internet security is required . yes there are living proof . recently web site of a defence organisation in india was hacked and posted with malacious trojans trojans . even i have experienced numereous phising attacks on website of many big banks to steal pass word and txn password . my fried was cheated for 9 lakhs . though the amount was recovered with the help of police but it was was possible only by online fraud . so there is nothing wrong to follow established procedures . i am sure we can all be online communicating and putting our point forward , and same time adrees security related concerns . care and an toward security is must . here we need to change old notions of security . if we installed a big board out side our unit prominently displaying name , then any passer by can tell this unit is here . similarly by satellites in the sky a lot of info about us about enemy is available to enemy . the need here is to be cautious .tikamchandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503293844377013031.post-49469836517307312482012-01-28T21:53:01.548+05:302012-01-28T21:53:01.548+05:30@Rajax said,"I am yet to see proof or actual ...@Rajax said,"I am yet to see proof or actual news except claims.": Sorry to butt in, but people don't really hack into blogs and email accounts at random without a clear cut aim.<br />I don't think the threat of hacking is something we can be complacent about. Just because we haven't noticed anything amiss doesn't mean others have not had a look see into our so called 'confidential' or 'private' details online.<br />Also, any radio signal can give away the position of the source. Under operational situations, its best there are no individual signal sources which are not under control of an authority figure in a formation or on board an aircraft or ship. That's a very basic requirement.<br />But, restricting peace time use of a networking website for purely private and personal matters, or maintaining a blog are different issues.<br />The authorities may need to devise ways and means to keep the official and personal interactions separate on peace locations.corona8https://www.blogger.com/profile/14443791458911191943noreply@blogger.com