The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police has urged young people, particularly women, to remain vigilant against cybercrime and practise responsible digital behaviour.

The CID’s Cyber Police Centre (CPC) made the call at a cyber awareness programme held at Rokeya Hall of Dhaka University on Monday under the theme “Think Twice Before You Click; Cyber Knowledge is Your Best Firewall”.

According to a CID press release, the programme was organised in collaboration with Rokeya Hall and sponsored by bKash Limited, with undergraduate and postgraduate students participating.

Rokeya Hall Provost Prof Dr Hosne Ara Begum chaired the programme, while DIG (Acting) Md Saifuddin Shaheen of CPC, CID, attended as chief guest. Additional DIG Md Zahidul Islam of Cyber Investigation and Operations, CPC, CID, presented the keynote paper.

A. K. M. Monirul Karim, Executive Vice President and Head of External Affairs at bKash Limited, attended as special guest.

The programme discussed common forms of cybercrime, including cyber harassment, online blackmail, identity fraud, misuse of personal information, fake links and online scams.

Speaking at the programme, Saifuddin Shaheen said the younger generation now lives in both physical and digital worlds.

“Technology has created new opportunities for people, but it has also created new forms of risks and crime,” he said, stressing that safe technology use should receive equal importance alongside technological advancement.

He said awareness was a key tool in preventing cybercrime and noted that the CID’s Cyber Police Centre was working round the clock to combat cybercrime.

He advised students to use strong passwords, keep OTPs and PINs confidential, avoid unfamiliar links, limit sharing personal information on social media and verify information before sharing it.

He also urged victims of online bullying, cyber harassment, blackmail and fraud to seek assistance from law enforcement agencies without delay.

Presenting the keynote paper, Zahidul Islam said cybersecurity had become an essential life skill as education, communication, entertainment and daily activities increasingly move online.

“Cyber security is no longer a subject only for technology professionals. It has become an essential life skill for every student, parent and citizen,” he said.

He warned that cybercriminals often exploit human carelessness, with sensitive information and suspicious links potentially exposing individuals to financial and social harm.

Zahidul also urged social media users to verify information before sharing it, citing the rapid spread of misinformation and rumours online.

“A responsible digital citizen does not spread unverified information,” he said, adding that cyber-aware students could help protect their families, friends and communities from digital risks.

Monirul Karim highlighted the need for greater awareness in digital financial transactions, saying the expansion of digital financial services had also created new methods of fraud.

He said greater awareness and access to accurate information could help reduce the risks of digital financial fraud.

Prof Dr Hosne Ara Begum said the hall administration would support students in navigating the digital world safely and encouraged them to report any form of harassment without hesitation.

She also urged students to share their knowledge of cyber safety with their families and friends.

The programme ended with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students raised issues related to cybersecurity, online harassment, digital fraud and protection of personal information.