#cybersecuritymeasures

[phonemantra-blog]

In a troubling discovery, security researchers have unearthed a scheme where scammers embedded advertisements for online betting platforms on various Indian government websites. This incident, reported by TechCrunch, raises serious questions about the security vulnerabilities plaguing government online infrastructure and the potential consequences for unsuspecting citizens. Breach of Trust: Targeting Official Domains TechCrunch’s investigation revealed that nearly 50 links across “.gov.in” domains in several Indian states, including Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, and Telangana, were compromised. These compromised links redirected users to online betting websites. Shockingly, even websites belonging to state police departments and property tax authorities were not spared. […]

In a troubling discovery, security researchers have unearthed a scheme where scammers embedded advertisements for online betting platforms on various Indian government websites. This incident, reported by TechCrunch, raises serious questions about the security vulnerabilities plaguing government online infrastructure and the potential consequences for unsuspecting citizens. Online Betting Ads Infiltrate Indian Government Breach of Trust: Targeting Official Domains TechCrunch's investigation revealed that nearly 50 links across ".gov.in" domains in several Indian states, including Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, and Telangana, were compromised. These compromised links redirected users to online betting websites. Shockingly, even websites belonging to state police departments and property tax authorities were not spared. The malicious ads, promoting themselves as "Asia's most popular betting site" and "the number one online cricket betting app in India," actively targeted users searching for government services. These ads, indexed by search engines like Google, could have easily misled citizens seeking legitimate information. The Unclear Picture: How Did This Happen? The exact method used by scammers to infiltrate these government websites remains a mystery. Furthermore, the duration these redirects were active is unknown, raising concerns about the potential scale of exposure to unsuspecting users. However, this isn't the first time a vulnerability in a web content management system (WCMS) has been exploited for malicious purposes. In a similar incident exposed by TechCrunch last year, U.S. government websites were compromised with advertisements for hacking services. While the swift response from India's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) in acknowledging the issue and escalating it for further action is commendable, it underscores the urgent need to address the security vulnerabilities in government websites. A Wake-Up Call: The Importance of Robust Cybersecurity The infiltration of Indian government websites with online betting ads serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. This incident highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive government data and protect citizens from online scams. Here are some key areas that require immediate attention: Strengthening Web Security: Government websites should undergo regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in WCMS software and underlying infrastructure. Multi-Factor Authentication: Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all government web portals can significantly enhance security by adding an extra layer of verification during login attempts. User Awareness Programs: Educating citizens about online scams and phishing attempts can empower them to identify and avoid malicious activities. Transparency and Communication: Government agencies should be transparent about security breaches and take proactive steps to communicate the risks involved and inform citizens about necessary precautions. Beyond the Headlines: Potential Long-Term Impacts The immediate impact of these online betting advertisements may seem limited to redirecting users to gambling websites. However, the long-term consequences could be far-reaching: Erosion of Public Trust: Security breaches in government websites can severely damage public trust in the ability of the government to protect sensitive information. Increased Vulnerability to Cyberattacks: Unpatched vulnerabilities make government websites prime targets for more sophisticated cyberattacks that could compromise critical data infrastructure. Financial Losses and Identity Theft: Users who unknowingly visit these fraudulent betting platforms could suffer financial losses or even have their personal information stolen. Looking Ahead: Building a Secure Digital Infrastructure The infiltration of Indian government websites with online betting ads underscores the critical need for a multi-pronged approach to cybersecurity. By implementing robust security measures, educating citizens, and fostering transparency, authorities can create a safer digital environment for all. This incident serves as an opportunity to re-evaluate existing cybersecurity protocols and invest in advanced security solutions to safeguard government websites from future attacks. It is vital to prioritize the protection of sensitive data and ensure citizen safety in the ever-evolving online landscape. FAQs: Q: How did scammers manage to place these ads on government websites? A: The exact method used remains unclear, but it highlights vulnerabilities in the websites' WCMS software. Q: What types of government websites were affected? A: Websites from various Indian states, including those belonging to state police departments and property tax authorities, were compromised. Q: How can we prevent similar incidents from happening in the future? A: By: Implementing regular security audits of government websites. Strengthening web security measures to address vulnerabilities in WCMS software. Enforcing stricter protocols for managing website content. Educating citizens about online scams and phishing attempts. Promoting transparency and open communication about security breaches.

[usnewsper-business]

‎

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has taken swift action in response to a recent hacking incident. Executives from the bank have traveled to the United States to address the situation and contain any potential fallout. The breach occurred when a group of hackers, known as “Black Kingdom,” successfully infiltrated ICBC’s systems through […]

ICBC Hacking Incident: How Financial Institutions Fight Cyber Attacks to Keep Your Money Safe #cyberattacks #cybersecuritymeasures #databreaches #financialinstitutions #ICBChackingincident

[basechop]

Binance Users Targeted in SMS Scam, Exchange Warns Against Spoofing Attacks

Last week, users of Binance fell victim to scammers who sent fake SMS messages claiming they had won prizes in the Binance Mystery Box lottery, with rewards valued at around 100 euros in cryptocurrency. The victims were informed that the offer expired the same day and were urgently advised to claim their winnings by clicking on a link in the SMS. Upon clicking the malicious link, victims were prompted to log in to their Binance accounts and provide the necessary passwords. Binance acknowledged that this scheme represents a typical attempt at a spoofing attack through SMS, where attackers manipulate the message sender to appear as if it is coming from a trusted source. The goal is to deceive victims into following instructions, ultimately leading to the theft of confidential data. Binance stated its inability to combat such fraud since the technologies of the GSM communication system, under which SMS messages operate, allow the sender to arbitrarily fill in the "sender name" field. Mobile operators do not verify whether the sender sending the SMS has the legitimate right to use a specific name. "To close this security loophole in SMS, the whole world would have to modify GSM technology, which seems unrealistic to us," concluded Binance. Earlier, the National Agency of Project Management in Uzbekistan (NAPM) announced that the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, would be required to pay a fine for operating in the country without a license. Read the full article

[usnewsper-business]

‎

A man has been accused of scamming Airbnb in a scheme that allegedly netted him over $7 million. According to court documents, the man was able to manipulate the booking system on the popular vacation rental platform to reserve multiple properties at once. He would then cancel the reservations and pocket the refunds, resulting in […]

Beware of Airbnb Scam! How Cybersecurity Measures Protect You from Online Booking Fraud #Airbnbscam #cybersecuritymeasures #fraudulentclaims #onlinebookingfraud #vacationrentalplatform

[usnewsper-business]

‎

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has taken swift action in response to a recent hacking incident. Executives from the bank have traveled to the United States to address the situation and contain any potential fallout. The breach occurred when a group of hackers, known as “Black Kingdom,” successfully infiltrated ICBC’s systems through […]

ICBC Hacking Incident: How Financial Institutions Fight Cyber Attacks to Keep Your Money Safe #cyberattacks #cybersecuritymeasures #databreaches #financialinstitutions #ICBChackingincident

[usnewsper-politics]

‎

The state of Maine recently announced that a Russian hacking operation has compromised the personal information of thousands of residents. The breach occurred in October 2020 but was only discovered during a routine security audit. Officials have revealed that the hackers were able to access sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, birthdates, and driver’s […]

Russian Hackers Breach Maine's Online Services: Protecting Your Personal Info #cybersecuritymeasures #Mainehackingoperation #MoveITsystem #personalinformationbreach #Russianhackers

[inmovidutech]

Cyber Security: New problems need new solutions!

Cybersecurity means protecting data, networks, programs and other information from unauthorized or unattended access, destruction or change. In today’s world, cybersecurity is very important because COVID 19 has changed the world - everyone and everything is going digital and with that security threats and cyber-attacks have increased. After USA and China, India has the highest number of internet users, and in the recent times - remote work, work from home has become a new normal and everything is now going online. So it is very important for us to know about cyber threats and how to be safe online.

CYBER THREATS Cyber threats can be classified into 2 types. Cyber crime – against individuals, corporations, etc.and Cyber warfare – against a state.

Cyber Crime Use of cyber space, i.e. computer, internet, cellphone, other technical devices, etc., to commit a crime by an individual or organized group is called cyber crime. Cyber attackers use numerous software and codes in cyberspace to commit cybercrime. They exploit the weaknesses in the software and hardware design through the use of malware. Hacking is a common way of piercing the defenses of protected computer systems and interfering with their functioning. Identity theft is also common.

Cybercrimes may occur directly i.e, targeting the computers directly by spreading computer viruses. Other forms include DoS attack. It is an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users. It suspends services of a host connected to the internet which may be temporary or permanent.

Malware is a software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. It usually appears in the form of code, scripts, active content, and other software. ‘Malware’ refers to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software, for example, Trojan Horses, rootkits, worms, adware, etc.

Another way of committing cybercrime is independent of the Computer Network or Device. It includes Economic frauds. It is done to destabilize the economy of a country, attack on banking security and transaction system, extract money through fraud, acquisition of credit/debit card data, financial theft, etc.

Cyber Warfare

Snowden revelations have shown that Cyberspace could become the theater of warfare in the 21st century. Future wars will not be like traditional wars which are fought on land, water or air. When any state initiates the use of internet based invisible force as an instrument of state policy to fight against another nation, it is called cyberwar’.

Cyber Warfare includes hacking of vital information, important web pages, strategic controls, and intelligence. In December 2014, there was a a six-month-long cyberattack on the German parliament - for which the Sofacy Group is suspected. Another example, is the Facebook account called Anonymous, they hack into government files and promise to expose the intricate secrets to the world.

Cyber Security Measures to protect yourself against cyber crime

● The easiest thing to do is to increase your cyber security and rest easy at night knowing your data is safe and to change your passwords. ● One can use a password manager tools to keep track of their data. There are applications that can help you to use unique, secure passwords for every site you need while also keeping track of all of them for you. ● An easy way for an attacker to gain access to your network is to use old credentials that have fallen by the wayside. Hence, delete unused accounts. ● Enabling two-factor authentication to add some extra security to your logins. An extra layer of security that makes it harder for an attacker to get into your accounts. ● Keep your Software up to date.

Conclusion Today, due to COVID 19 the entire world has come online and remote work is on rise and so is high internet penetration, cyber security is one of the biggest needs of the world as of now.

Cyber security threats are very dangerous to not only individual security but also a nation’s security. And we need to spread awareness among the people to always update their software system and network security settings and to use proper anti-virus - thus ensuring that their systems and network security settings stay virus and malware-free. So that everyone can enjoy the world online.