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Seqrite and DSCI launch the India Cyber threat Report 2023
Mumbai: Seqrite, the enterprise arm of global cybersecurity solutions provider, Quick Heal Technologies Limited, in collaboration with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) has released a much-anticipated India Cyber Threat Report 2023 at the Nasscom-DSCI Annual Information Security Summit 2023. The report was launched by Vishal Salvi, CEO of Quick Heal, Pramod Bhasin Chairman Data Security Council of India and Vinayak Godse, CEO of DSCI in presence of Shri S. Krishnan, secretary, and ministry of electronics & information technology. The joint report is a first-of-its-kind initiative specifically tailored for the Indian cybersecurity ecosystem.
The comprehensive threat report is the result of a collaborative effort between Seqrite and DSCI, leveraging the invaluable insights gleaned from Seqrite Labs, the country’s malware analysis lab. It aims to empower businesses with India-centric knowledge and actionable recommendations to fortify their cybersecurity posture. The report stands as a testament to the diligence and dedication of Seqrite’s researchers and experts. Their efforts had enabled the compilation of a thorough analysis of cyber threats in the Indian landscape, drawing on a wealth of data, statistics, and telemetry from approximately 8.5 million endpoints.
The report includes a detailed exploration of the geographic and sectoral impact of cyber threats, unveiling the top states, cities, and industries targeted throughout the year. On the Android front, it sheds light on a significant increase in Adware and Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). Shockingly, fake and malicious applications hosted on the Google Play Store have been downloaded by millions of users, including SpyLoan apps, fake apps, HidAdd apps, and more.
Commenting on the release of the report Quick Heal Technologies Limited, chief executive officer Vishal Salvi said, “Today’s cyber landscape demands collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. Drawing upon extensive research from India’s largest malware analysis lab, Seqrite Labs, and our domain expertise spanning three decades, this first-ever in-depth India-centric threat report not only deep dives into the threat landscape but also provides actionable insights to stay a step ahead of cyberattacks. At Seqrite, we deeply understand the challenges faced by Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) for businesses across. Therefore, as India’s only full-stack enterprise cybersecurity solutions provider, we offer integrated, modular, scalable, sentient, and easy-to-deploy & operate solutions. As guardians of the critical infrastructure of our nation, safeguarding its digital backbone is not just a responsibility for us; it’s a commitment to ensuring its resilience in the face of evolving threats.
I extend heartfelt thanks to DSCI and our experts at the Labs for their unwavering commitment to creating excellence in cybersecurity and all their efforts to transform the ecosystem. Together, we stand united to create a secure digital world for all”.
Data Security Council of India chief executive officer Vinayak Godse commented, “Cybersecurity has ascended as a strategic concern at the board level owing to the multifaceted nature of cyber threats and the escalating monetary implications stemming from data breaches. Malware stands as a significant threat with cybercrime engineering becoming increasingly intricate with diverse attack methodologies. Additionally, ransomware authors continually evolve their methodologies and employ sophisticated techniques to evade traditional signature-based detection which is evident in the Malware vs. Ransomware incident ratio findings. The report provides broad understanding of the current threat landscape in the Indian context with predictions for the upcoming year. I hope it serves as a strategic guide for organizations and cybersecurity leaders to navigate the digital landscape with resilience. I would like to extend my thanks to the entire Seqrite team for collaborating with us to bring out the threat landscape in a comprehensive manner.”
Report Link: https://www.dsci.in/resource/content/india-cyber-threat-report-2023
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
