Enterprises Need to Build a Ransomware Strategy to Combat the Recent Locky Ransomware Attack

Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cyber security solutions, has stated that there are no incidence being reported in India at present. As per Trend Micro, the ransomware is not likely to be on the scale of Wannacry and Petya ransomware, which relies on Microsoft vulnerability in Windows XP. Trend Micro has also provided precautionary measures on how to stop the Lukitus variant of Locky ransomware from spreading.

In the wake of Locky Ransomware attack and the Government of India issuing alert across the country,

Sharda Tickoo, Technical Head, Trend Micro India said, “So far, there haven’t been any cases of Locky ransomware reported in India or across geographies, but we are getting enquiries from customers and Trend Micro’s support team is helping out in resolving them. For addressing this malware, Trend Micro has its protection in place with suspicious and bad URLs being blocked. There are technologies wherein such embedded macros and file scripts can be detected and deleted.”

Pointing out the differences between other ransomware, she added, “Wannacry and Petya ransomware looks for Microsoft vulnerability to exploit and spread. There were only few machines with Microsoft vulnerability in Windows XP and hence the damage was huge. In this case, it is not exploiting any vulnerability, but what it uses is a Visual Basic (VB) / JavaScript encrypts in a document and the chances of this malware getting evaded are high.”

On the dos and don’ts, she further added, “Since this particular malware arrives through email compressed attachment and through hidden Visual Basic (VB) / JavaScript, we have to ensure that email as a channel is widely protected. We are trying to build a ransomware strategy with two best practices - first is to start with fortifying email defense mechanisms and second is to delete the VB or Java Script if it is not used in machines. There are certain secure configurations which are unnecessary and not running, should be blocked. This particular malware has a tendency of self deletion. It deletes itself with no traces left, once the payload is executed. It encrypts local drives and network shares. The basic hygiene is to try and avoid open network share and to make sure it is password protected.”

Home Healthcare is the Way Forward to Improve Elderly Care in India

By Dr. Gaurav Thukral, Executive Vice -President and COO, HealthCare atHome

A report released by UN Population Fund India titled ‘Caring for our elders: Early response India Ageing Report 2017’, highlights a perturbing issue. By 2050, the global population of the elderly who are above 60-years of age is set to reach 2 billion, outnumbering those under 15-years of age for the first time in history. India is going to be a major contributor to this phenomenon, with this set of population in the country predicted to grow three-fold from around 100 million at present to 300 million by 2050. The report suggests that ageing does not only affect the elderly but has consequences for the entire society. One of the major challenges such circumstances can pose is on the healthcare sector. Home based healthcare, with its reach and resources, can play a pivotal role in addressing this challenge by providing professional geriatric care to improve the quality of life for the elderly and maintain their independence for as long as possible.

In India, family is responsible for the care of elderly relatives. However, there is a marked dissolution of the traditional family set-up as we know it with changing scenarios where children are increasingly moving out for employment, both spouses are working for a living, competitive and busy lifestyles taking over sedentary regimes and even the elderly looking to be independent for as long as possible. Nuclear families are growing in numbers gradually taking over the joint family structure. These factors affect how the elderly receive their care. Additionally, it is important to note that the requirements for health-care of the elderly are different from regular patients.

Dr. Gaurav Thukral, Executive Vice -President and COO, HealthCare atHome said, “An important area where home based healthcare proves to be invaluable for the seniors is in the management of chronic or non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Regardless of socio-economic status, NCDs are extremely common in old age. Common chronic conditions include cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and mental conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, depression and hypertension. Chronic diseases, are not only the biggest reasons for hospital visits but also a leading cause of death among elderly in India. Disabilities resulting from chronic diseases are occurring more often, which makes it difficult for the senior patients to conduct their day-to-day lives in a normal manner. When that happens, there is also an escalating burden on the care giver”.

Home based healthcare services provide both effective and economic resources to manage such chronic diseases. For instance, HealthCare atHOME provides the LifeCare atHOME services that includes management of lifestyle changes, chronic diseases and wellness segment requisite for elderly care. Other services offered by HealthCare atHOME include DIABEE specifically for the management of diabetes. Keeping in mind that elderlies with chronic conditions require consultation of multiple physicians and continuous assistance with daily tracking of health parameters, DIABEE service provides patients with a multi-disciplinary care team who creates personalised diabetes management and support for the patients. Technology is vital to every homecare service and HealthCare atHOME has developed a DIABEE app which monitors a patients vitals like fitness levels, diet charts, up-to-date medical reports and hospital visits for comprehensive management of the disease.

Thus, more and more families are opting for homecare when it comes to administering long term care for their elderly relatives. The fact that patients can be monitored and treated within their homes, the environment they are most comfortable in, is the biggest benefit of home based healthcare. However another major plus point is the cost-effectiveness resulting from reduction in doctor visits and hospitalisation. Families end up saving anywhere between 10-50 per cent of the total healthcare costs as compared to regular hospital treatment. Therefore, homecare offers a preventive and effective approach to overseeing chronic diseases in the elderly.

As mentioned earlier, geriatric care is very different from general nursing. From being technically well-equipped to handle medical situations, caregivers to the elderly also have to have a certain type of disposition. Patience and compassion are two significant qualities required while attending the elderly. Home healthcare provides its staff with essential training specifically for geriatric care, that allows them to provide professional care that even family members may not endowed to. As a person ages, their vulnerability to declining functional abilities also increases. The ability to perform staple tasks on a daily basis like feeding, bathing, dressing, maintaining physical hygiene and basic mobility become difficult for the elderly. In most cases, it is not possible for one of the family members to stay home and take care of the patient everyday. Nursing services provided by homecare are not only limited to medical duties like monitoring vitals and administering medications but healthcare attendants are available round the clock for assisting patients with daily activities.

Debilitating health can harm both the physical and psychological state of the elderly. Therefore, in the case of geriatric care, the healthcare giver must be extremely sensitive to the needs of the patient. While improving the quality of life for the older patients through physical wellbeing it is also necessary to provide them with emotional support. This is why, they are best cared for at home where they feel secure among their loved ones. But with the demands of geriatric care being much greater and vastly different, it is also important that they receive professional care. Home based healthcare ensures that diseases in the elderly patients are treated with successful clinical outcomes while making sure they do it with compassion.

Audi Drives in the Audi Q7 40 TFSI Quattro on Bangalore Roads

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today announced the launch of the Audi Q7 40 TFSI quattro in India. The powerful 2.0 TFSI engine churns out 185kW (252hp) and 370 Nm of torque effectively accelerating 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. The Audi Q7 also packs in a lightning-fast power redistribution through quattro permanent all-wheel drive, segment first Audi Virtual Cockpit and a smart Audi Smartphone Interface, and is priced  at  Rs 67,76,000  onwards.

“Our flagship SUV Audi Q7 had been the only product in its segment in India when it was launched. A popular choice of bollywood celebrities and big industrialists, the Audi Q7 lead the way for the luxury SUV segment in India. With the introduction of the Audi Q7 40 TFSI quattro, we are now offering customers an exciting line up of their preferred SUV to choose from and own their favorite Audi. This marks the debut of the first-ever luxury SUV in its segment in India and reigning segment leader with a petrol engine,” said Rahil Ansari, Head, Audi India.

“This is the year of ‘Audi Reloaded’ for us. ‘Audi Reloaded’ just doesn’t mean new products or new touch points but it signifies a nimbleness to tweak the strategy as per the market demand. We have taken a strategic decision to increase our petrol mix and started off the process with the launch of the Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI in March this year. We do have some other surprises planned for this year,” added Mr. Ansari. 

The Audi Q7 40 TFSI joins an exciting line up which already has a powerful 3.0 TDI engine. The adaptive suspension and the lightweight body make the new Audi Q7 a dynamic car among the large SUVs. The car is available in Premium Plus edition and the fully loaded Technology edition.

Key Highlights:

Engine and Transmission

·  Powerful 2.0 TFSI quattro engine

·  Superior new Eight-speed tiptronic transmission

·  Power output of 185kW (252hp) @5000 to 6000 rpm

·  370 Nm of torque @1600-34500 rpm

·  Accelerates 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds with top speed of 233 kmph

·  Fuel efficiency of 11.68 Kmpl (ARAI certified)

Exterior

·  Sharp striking lines, continuous shoulder line accentuates athletic lines

·  Matrix LED Headlamps with signature DRLs

·  Wide sculptured 3D single frame grille

·  Prominent muscular bumpers & air inlets

·  Inlay strips at the bottom of the doors with quattro embossing

·  Bold R19 5 Spoke Alloy Wheels

·  Full Paint Finish

·  Panoramic Sunroof

·  Available in Carrara white, Floret silver, Graphite gray, Orca black and Ink blue

Interior

·  Wrap around cockpit for improved driver bias, elegance and operation

·  Horizontal design architecture - slim low profile dash with continuous broad band of air vents

·  Slim, high resolution retractable MMI display

·  Benchmark in aeroacoustics, ‘Library Quiet’ Cabin

·  Floating dashboard effect from plunging centre console

·  Ambient Lighting with 30 Combinations

·  Interior Upholstery in genuine Cricket Leather in black and beige

·  Full size Seven Seater configuration

Comfort

·  Audi Drive Select - Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual and Off-road as standard. In conjunction with adaptive air suspension, the All-road mode is added, while the Off-road mode becomes Lift/Off-road

·  Electromechanical power steering

·  4 Spoke Leather Steering Wheel with Shift Paddles

·  Four Zone Deluxe Automatic Climate Control

·  Electric Steering Wheel Adjustment

·  Electrically Adj. Front Seats with Driver Side Memory

·  Electrically foldable 3^rd row seats

·  Lowering of load floor for easy luggage loading

·  Cruise Control

·  Auto Park Assist

·  360 degree Surround Camera

Infotainment

·  MMI Navigation Plus

·  MMI Touch with 8 Favourite buttons for Music, Contacts, Navigation, Place of Interest (POI)  and Radio Channels

·  Audi Smartphone Interface for Apple Carplay & Android Auto

·  Audi Phone Box with Wireless Qi-charging

·  BOSE 3D Surround Sound System – 558 watts

Safety and Assistance systems

·  Tilt Angle Sensor for Off-road & All-road modes

·  8 Airbags incl. Rear Side Airbags

·  Auto Park Assist with 360⁰ Surround View Cameras

·  Audi Pre Sense

·  Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Toyota’s Unique Approach to Curb Open Defecation Recognized Under “Swachh Bharat” Award Category

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) was recently felicitated with the distinguished Bureaucracy Today - CSR Excellence Award 2017 recognizing its outstanding contributions in the area of Health and Hygiene. The company received the award in the ‘Swachh Bharat Initiatives’ category for their admirable efforts towards eradication of Open Defecation (OD) from the country through its unique CSR campaign – Project ABCD (A Behavioral Change Demonstration).

Initiated as a part of Toyota’s active efforts towards the “Swachh Bharat campaign”, Project ABCD was rolled out in the year 2015 aiming to provide sanitation facilities for girl children in schools in the local neighborhood community and to drive a positive behavioral change among the students and the community on healthy sanitation practices. Strongly driven with a mission to achieve 100% sanitation in Government schools, the project strives to instill good hygiene habits among the individuals, providing infrastructure support through building of new sanitation units (situated near Toyota plant) in Karnataka. 

Under this project, we have touched the lives of people through a sustainable difference at large:

·         Nearly 724 sanitation units for girl child at schools have been constructed till date and 27,370 school children have been benefitted through such sanitation infra support

·         Through school children, awareness reached out to 119,737 members creating a healthier local community

·         As a resultant, this project witnessed the community initiating independent self-construction of the sanitation units with 1366 nos. in 2015-16 & 2755 nos. in 2016-17 (individual household units), successfully leading to 74 villages being declared 100% sanitation

The project employs a unique “Child to Community” approach, where children motivate their parents to possess individual household sanitation unit thereby becoming the change agents to bring desirable transformation in the community.

Handing over the award to Toyota, Bhaskar Chatterjee, IAS - Chairman, BT-CSR Excellence Awards Committee, said “My heartiest congratulations to Toyota Kirloskar Motor for their commendable efforts undertaken under the purview of ‘Swachh Bharat’.  It is commendable to see Corporates voluntarily reaching out to citizens in far flung areas to bring about necessary transformation at local level towards healthy and clean living. Toyota, as a responsible corporate citizen, have given great significance to CSR, in line with social philosophy which indeed shows the company’s commitment to bring the real difference in the lives of the community.”

Expressing his delight on receiving the award, Naveen Soni, Vice President - Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “It is indeed an honor to receive this prestigious award, and encouraging to see our initiative that we started two years ago with a vision to curb one of the grave concerns faced by our country – Open Defecation recognized. According to studies, of the 1.1 billion people in the world who defecate in the open, 59% live in India, and 67% of rural Indian households still do not have access to proper sanitation facilities.

At Toyota, all our CSR efforts are designed & channelized to improve the overall quality of life of the community at large. We want to ensure that the initiatives we are undertaking will have far reaching and deep impact to ensure good health of the citizens. While implementing the Project ABCD,our primary objective was not only to build the sanitation infrastructure, but inculcate the right attitude, raising awareness motivating the societal members to discontinue age old unhygienic practices. The success of the project was when the community members developed a sense of ownership and responsibility leading to a positive social movement. Under ABCD project, we are aiming to support 100% household sanitation in Ramanagara district to achieve an Open Defecation Free community”, he added.

As a socially committed corporate, Toyota has actively contributed towards the “Swacch Bharat Abhiyan”. The company has constructed 724 units of sanitation facilities in 193 government schools across India [Ramnagara in Karnataka, Varanasi in UP, Vaishali in Bihar].

Through an all-embracing CSR campaign, Toyota in India has constantly worked towards harmonious, scalable and sustainable development by emphasizing on Education, Health & Hygiene, Road Safety, Environment and Skill Development.

The award organized by Bureaucracy Today witnessed participation from over 300 corporates across 36 categories that included the Swachh Bharat, Skill India, Women Empowerment, Eradicating Poverty and Promotion of Healthcare. The prestigious award recognizes corporates’ efforts to build positive and bring in sustainable changes in the society at large.

HDFC ERGO Partners with ITZCash to Offer General Insurance Product Offering

HDFC ERGO, country’s third largest non-life insurance provider in the private sector, announced that it has entered in into a strategic agreement with ItzCash (also known as ITIPL i.e. Interactive Tradex India Pvt. Ltd.), India’s leading Financial Exchange, to offer general insurance product on its ‘PHYGITAL’ platform.

The partnership inked will offer a wide range of general insurance policies including health, motor, fire and auto. All these products will be easily available and accessible to customers through ItzCash’s extensive distribution network across the country. Under the arrangement, the entire process right from filing an application to making the payment will be executed digitally through ItzCash’s network thus eradicating the possibilities of human error and other delays to offer customer service on a real-time basis. The partnership will also provide the customers with the convenience to pay premium at the nearest ItzCash outlet.

Speaking on the occasion, Anuj Tyagi, Executive Director, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company said, “We are happy to associate with a growing organisation like ItzCash, who offer unique solutions to customers. Their proven business operations allow us to collaborate and expand our reach by offering health, home and fire insurance to a wider audience across the country through the Company’s digital platform.”

He further added, “We see immense opportunity in this association and firmly believe that ItzCash clients will gain a great deal from the bouquet of our products.”

Ravi Singh – Chief Business Officer, ItzCash on the occasion said, “Being the pioneer and the country’s leading financial exchange, ItzCash enjoys the trust of millions of its customers. With the onus of brand trust and an unbeatable retail reach through the country, we are well geared to redefine the insurance experience. We are proud to partner with HDFC ERGO wherein besides leveraging technology our association very aptly serves our honourable PM’s national agenda of ‘financial inclusion’ while on-boarding our customers digitally.”

The initiative serves the national agenda of ‘financial inclusion’ and will also enhance HDFC ERGO’s reach in tier II and III towns and cities through ItzCash’s nationwide franchise network.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Records 40-50% Rise in Customers; Sells 13,081 Units During August 2017

Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold a total of 12017 units in the domestic market. The company exported 1064 units of the Etios series this month thus clocking a total of 13,081 units.  TKM had sold 12,801 units in the domestic market and exported 1244 units of the Etios series in August 2016.

TKM has witnessed 40-50% jump in customer orders this month post the announcement on potential cess hike.  Enquiries continue to be significantly high, however, due to production constraints the company has not been able to cater to the enhanced demand.

Commenting on the monthly sales, N. Raja, Director & Sr. Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Our sales numbers this month are not truly reflective of the existing customer orders.   Post the announcement on potential cess hike, there was a considerable rise in customer enquiries and orders.  Yet we had production limitations which held us back from catching up with the high demand.   Due to holidays in August, we further had the constraint of lesser number of production days. With the demand on the rise, the current waiting period for Innova has gone up to around 6-8 weeks and Fortuner is around 10-12 weeks respectively.  We sincerely express our regret to the customers for the waiting period. We would like to thank our customers for their patience, we assure them that we are trying our best to bring down the waiting period and meet their needs at the earliest possible.

Catering to customer demands, inventory at our plant and dealership have considerably reduced as of August end.

New Fortuner and Innova Crysta continue to stand strong as segment leaders after a year of its launch. We are thankful to our loyal customers who have highly appreciated the products and continue to come back to us.

We look forward to the festive season with cautious optimism because though the festivities may bring cheer to the market however the looming threat of cess hike may lead to increased prices of our products which definitely would have an impact on the demand.

The customer demand for our strong hybrid product Camry Hybrid has fallen significantly owing to the price hike as per applicable tax under GST framework. We hope the Government would reinstate the preferential (lower) tax rate in favor of clean and green technologies such as strong hybrids similar to pre GST era. This will greatly help improve the economic viability and hence aid the consumer in choosing this advance technology over petrol/diesel vehicles.” adds Raja.

Hero Motocorp Sells 678,797 Units of Two-Wheelers its All-Time High Sales in a Month this Festive Season

Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported a significant performance milestone by clocking its highest-ever sales for any single month.

Riding on popular demand for its exciting range of two-wheelers, Hero MotoCorp sold 678,797 units of two-wheelers in August 2017, thereby registering a growth of 10% over the corresponding month last year when the company had sold 616,424 units.

Hero’s previous highest in monthly sales was recorded in September 2016 when the company had sold 674,961 units.

Maintaining a consistent trend of six-lakh-plus sales for the fourth consecutive month, Hero MotoCorp sold 661,490 units in the domestic market in India, while its Global Business – spanning 35 countries across Asia, Africa and South and Central America - contributed 17,307 units.

The high sales in August have ensued owing to the early arrival of the festival season this year. Hero MotoCorp is poised to further consolidate its market leadership by meeting customer expectations with adequate inventory of its range of popular motorcycles and scooters at dealerships across the country.