In a bid to create awareness and address the issues related to cyber space, which is being misused increasingly by terrorists and criminals to execute their evil designs, city police today announced the 'Cyber Safety Week 2010'.

"Terrorists and criminals are increasingly misusing cyber space to execute their terror plots. For instance, terror outfit Indian Mujahideen had hacked into unsafe WiFi and sent emails after the bomb blasts in 2008 in the country," Mumbai Police Commissioner, D Sivanandan said while announcing the 'Cyber Safety Week 2010'.

"Every day cyber space is expanding and actual world is shrinking. All the terrorists or criminals are using, misusing or abusing cyber world. Amount of growth of cyber crime has been phenomenal. Through this cyber week, we aim at creating awareness among people and various private and public organisations," he added.

Mumbai police has been organising cyber weeks every year since 2003 but this time, it would be, in association with Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and NAASCOM, organised on a large scale where various programmes will be held between May 24 and 28 at different venues with participation of public, police, cyber space experts, representatives various industries and government organisations, Sivanandan said.

Youngsters, children and parents would be advised as to what steps need to be taken to safeguard and control misuse of their cyber spaces, Sivanandan said adding that pamphlets will also be distributed at various places.

"Policemen of other departments will also be trained by Cyber Cell cops and Cyber experts. This would also help the police sharing of best practices in the industry fraternity," he said.

During the Cyber Safe Week, police, NASSCOM and DSCI are organising interactive sessions, round the table conferences with internet service providers and police, who would also visit to BPOs to understand their functioning.