 Whiz kid Ankit Fadia in Chennai
 The Computer Security guru. The Ethical Hacker. The Author. The Intelligence Consultant. The Entrepreneur. Ankit Fadia, the computer whiz kid, says that in two or three years, hacking mobile phones could become the major crime of the world.
Ankit was in Chennai recently to launch Kuoni Academy of Travel's (KAT's) Travel BPO Course.
Naturally, there was considerable curiosity about his plans as also about his recently launched book -
Title: The Ethical Hacking Guide to Hacking Mobile Phones
Publishers: Macmillan India Ltd (India), Thomson Learning (International)
Pages: 400 pages
Languages: English
The mobile phone is the most popular digital device on the planet (1.7 billion users - about one quarter of the world’s population - and counting). Mobile phones have revolutionised the way we lead our lives, allowing us to constantly stay connected with our loved ones, our work and the world alike. The device that can easily fit in the palm of your hand, now packs so much punch that it is commonly being used to run entire businesses, sign million dollar deals, get the latest sports updates, exchange photographs with loved ones, buy or sell stocks or even get driving directions.
The growth of mobile phone connections worldwide has not only outgrown that of fixed line phone connections but even that of Internet connections - with some regions of the world even boasting of more mobile phone connections than people!
However, there is a contradiction here: mobile phones are ubiquitous and indispensable, yet they have also given rise to a curious bundle of safety, security and privacy fears.
Laptops are becoming smaller, while mobile phones are getting more powerful. At this logical convergence lies the serious danger of privacy invasion and security fears for mobile phones users. Hacking SIM cards, stealing sensitive data, copying the address book, intercepting data, virus infections, mobile trojans, password attacks, automatic locking and anonymous text messages are only some of the many concerns that have started affecting mobile phone users worldwide. Mobile phones are also commonly being exploited by computer criminals to execute privacy and identity attacks on unsuspecting victims.
'Hacking Mobile Phones', probably the first book ever written on this novel topic, aims to educate and prepare mobile phone users against a whole new generation of mobile phone-related security loopholes, vulnerabilities and attacks.
What would you do if somebody broke into your mobile phone and stole all your sensitive E-mail? What would you do if somebody cloned your phone and made unlimited long distance phone calls? What would you do if your address book got stolen and your loved ones started receiving malicious phone calls? What would you do if someone broke into your mobile phone and used it to transfer funds out of your bank account? Your mobile phone has become more dangerous than what anyone ever imagined! Deriving data from actual research experiments, code analysis, case studies and consumer study, this book will open the reader’s eyes to security threats, secrets and loopholes that until now were unnoticed.
Ankit Fadia is an independent computer security based out of the Silicon Valley in California, USA. He has authored several internationally best-selling books on numerous topics related to computer security that have been widely appreciated by both professionals and industry leaders the world over. Fadia provides customised cyber security training and consulting solutions to clients across North America, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
For his outstanding global contributions in the field of computer security, Fadia has been honoured with numerous awards, including the IT Leader Award 2005, Person of the Year and the Outstanding Young Achiever’s Award. Fadia has been celebrated in international media and is invited regularly by BBC Radio World News to share the latest updates on virus outbreaks, loopholes, and cyber-crime trends.
Fadia said in Chennai, "I am happy to launch India's first Travel BPO Course. I am sure that this technology enabler will benefit aspirants in offering their services and making their mark globally in the highly competitive field of travel and tourism. It is one of the hottest career destinations; the Travel BPO Course will open umpteen avenues in for them".
The highlight of the course includes introduction to BPO and travel BPO, travel geography, travel and tourism inter-relationship, online computer reservation system (CRS) Training Galileo and voice and accent training, life skills and corporate communications and current affairs.
Kamal Hingorani, VP & Head, KAT, said, "Our new Travel BPO course aims to train candidates as travel counsellors for employment in the booming number of both domestic and international call centres. It will benefit students who are interested in joining the booming travel & BPO industry."
"In 2004-05 India's travel and tourism industry is expected to have generated around one million new jobs to the existing 10.4 million - representing around 2.6 per cent of total employment. The real impact is, however, greater in terms of both direct and indirect jobs which is 24.4 million or 1 in every 17 jobs in the country. In 2004, travel and tourism is expected to have generated a total economic activity valued at $ 38.8 billion (Rs 1, 84,630 crore) or 4.9 per cent of the GDP," he added.
KAT is a part of Kuoni Travel (India) Pvt Ltd, a market leader in all segments of travel & tourism with well-known brands such as SOTC, SIT A & BTI in its portfolio. KAT, established in India in 2003 with its first centre in Delhi, has attained a commendable position and respect among the fraternity of travel and tourism aspirants.
KAT has centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. More than 1,000 travel aspirants have been trained by the academy, since its inception. Additionally, KAT conducts customised trainings for staff of airlines like Jet Airways and Air Sahara.
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