Latest news with #NationalCyberEmergencyResponseTeam
United News of India
28-05-2025
- United News of India
Pakistan's cyber agency issues nationwide alert after 180 million netizens report data breach
Islamabad, May 27 (UNI) Pakistan's National Cyber Emergency Response Team (PKCERT) has issued a nationwide alert following one of the largest global data breaches in recent history, which exposed sensitive login credentials of over 180 million internet users — including Pakistanis — across major online platforms. The breach, uncovered in a publicly accessible, unencrypted file, contains usernames, passwords, emails, and associated URLs tied to global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, as well as government portals, banks, and healthcare services, reports Samma TV. The data was reportedly collected through infostealer malware that extracted information from infected systems and stored it without encryption or access controls. Issuing cautionary measures, the PKCERT, a federal agency tasked with safeguarding Pakistan's digital infrastructure, warned that reused passwords across services could make users particularly vulnerable to automated cyberattacks. The agency urged immediate password changes, activation of two-factor authentication (2FA), and the use of password managers. Users were also advised to monitor account activity for signs of suspicious logins and to avoid storing passwords in unsecured formats. Government institutions have been directed to assess their exposure and alert potentially affected users. Failure to act promptly, PKCERT warned, could endanger critical digital services and national infrastructure. This breach follows a 2024 investigation into a separate leak at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), which compromised data from 2.7 million citizens between 2019, and 2023. That incident also raised alarms about Pakistan's vulnerability to cyber threats. Cybersecurity experts in the country are urging heightened vigilance, warning that attacks linked to the exposed data are likely to increase in the coming days. PKCERT has urged government departments and private organisations to identify affected users and implement immediate mitigation strategies. UNI ANV SSP
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Data breach
Listen to article A chilling reminder of Pakistan's vulnerability in the digital age has emerged with the latest advisory from the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (PKCERT). Over 180 million login credentials and passwords of Pakistani internet users have been compromised in a massive global data breach, exposing sensitive personal and institutional data tied to global tech giants, government portals and critical services. This is no small breach. The data - exposed in an unencrypted, publicly accessible file - includes usernames, passwords, emails and URLs linked to services such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and even platforms related to banking, healthcare and government functions. That such a vast trove of information was not only stolen but left completely unprotected is a stark indictment of our collective failure to take cybersecurity seriously. The consequences of such a breach are not just limited to personal inconvenience or financial fraud. At scale, they pose serious threats to national security, institutional integrity and the trust that underpins Pakistan's digital governance and commerce landscape. Pakistan's digital footprint has grown exponentially in recent years. Yet, our cybersecurity infrastructure has failed to keep pace with this growth. PKCERT's advisory calls for immediate protective action, but one-off warnings are not enough. What Pakistan needs is a comprehensive, nationwide cybersecurity strategy that mandates rigorous standards for data protection and incident response. Regulatory bodies must compel companies, especially those handling sensitive data, to implement robust encryption and security measures. Government systems must be fortified with intrusion detection systems and a trained cybersecurity workforce. At the individual level, the public must be educated about the risks of weak passwords, the dangers of phishing attempts and the importance of installing antivirus and anti-malware protections. But again, this will requires heavy investment in digital technology.
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Global data breach affects 184m users, no damage reported in Pakistan
Listen to article A spokesperson for Pakistan's National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT) confirmed on Tuesday that no breaches had been reported by any government agency or private organisation following a significant global data exposure incident affecting 184 million internet users. NCERT issued an advisory regarding a massive data breach involving an unencrypted, publicly accessible file containing over 184 million unique account credentials, according to Arab News. The exposed data includes usernames, passwords, email addresses, and linked URLs to services such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, along with various government portals, banking institutions, and healthcare platforms worldwide. 'As of now, we have not received any reports of data breaches from any government or private organisation in Pakistan,' said Syed Imran Haider, NCERT spokesperson. He added that the team remained 'vigilant, in contact with all relevant departments, and working around the clock' to monitor the situation. 'We are actively engaged with global CERTs and international cybersecurity platforms,' he noted. The leaked database is believed to have been compiled using infostealer malware, a malicious software designed to extract sensitive data from compromised systems. The data was left unprotected, stored in plain text without encryption or password safeguards. In response, NCERT has advised all users to change their passwords, particularly those reused across multiple services, and to enable multi-factor authentication on sensitive accounts. 'Users should also consider using unique, complex passwords for each online service and avoid storing passwords in unprotected files,' Haider added. Cybersecurity experts have warned that Pakistani users are at risk of identity theft, account hijacking, and financial loss due to the exposure of sensitive login credentials. Dr Shahid Sultan, a cybersecurity expert, stated that banking and financial accounts could be particularly vulnerable to unauthorized transactions. 'Users and organizations are urged to remain vigilant, monitor login activities for irregularities, and act on the precautionary measures recommended by NCERT,' Dr. Sultan said.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India tells X to block over 8,000 accounts
By Anuj Chopra Washington: India has ordered X to block more than 8,000 accounts, the platform said Thursday, adding that it was reluctantly complying with what it described as government-imposed "censorship." The move appears to be part of India's sweeping crackdown targeting social media accounts of Pakistani politicians, celebrities and media organizations amid heightened tensions and deadly confrontations between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The order, which X said includes demands to block international news organizations and other prominent users, comes a day after Meta banned a prominent Muslim news page on Instagram in India at New Delhi's request. "X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company's local employees," the site's global government affairs team said in a statement. It added that in most cases, the government had not specified which posts from the accounts violated Indian laws, and in many others, it provided no evidence or justification for the blocks. The Elon Musk-owned platform said it disagreed with the demands but it had begun the process to withhold the specified accounts in India. "Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech," the statement said. "This is not an easy decision, however keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians' ability to access information." X said it could not make the Indian executive orders public due to legal restrictions, but it encouraged the impacted users to seek "appropriate relief from the courts." The move comes amid fierce exchanges of artillery between India and Pakistan that has killed more than 50 people, two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing a deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-run side of the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. Pakistan rejects the charge. Pakistan accounts hacked Pakistan's National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT) meanwhile warned of the risk of increased cyberattacks on emails, social media, QR codes and messaging apps. Both Pakistan's Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Karachi Port Trust said this week that their X accounts had been hacked and later restored. In the case of the Karachi Port Trust, the account was hacked to say that the port -- one of South Asia's busiest -- has been attacked by the Indian military. The X account was later restored and the port authority said that no attack had taken place. India has also banned more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading "provocative" content, including Pakistani news outlets. Pakistani Bollywood movie regulars Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam were also off limits in India, as well as a wide range of cricketers including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Rising hostilities between the South Asian neighbors have unleashed an avalanche of online misinformation, with social media users circulating everything from deepfake videos to outdated images from unrelated conflicts, falsely linking them to the ongoing fighting.
Iraqi News
09-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
India tells X to block over 8,000 accounts
Washington – India has ordered X to block more than 8,000 accounts, the platform said Thursday, adding that it was reluctantly complying with what it described as government-imposed 'censorship.' The move appears to be part of India's sweeping crackdown targeting social media accounts of Pakistani politicians, celebrities and media organizations amid heightened tensions and deadly confrontations between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The order, which X said includes demands to block international news organizations and other prominent users, comes a day after Meta banned a prominent Muslim news page on Instagram in India at New Delhi's request. 'X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company's local employees,' the site's global government affairs team said in a statement. It added that in most cases, the government had not specified which posts from the accounts violated Indian laws, and in many others, it provided no evidence or justification for the blocks. The Elon Musk-owned platform said it disagreed with the demands but it had begun the process to withhold the specified accounts in India. 'Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech,' the statement said. 'This is not an easy decision, however keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians' ability to access information.' X said it could not make the Indian executive orders public due to legal restrictions, but it encouraged the impacted users to seek 'appropriate relief from the courts.' The move comes amid fierce exchanges of artillery between India and Pakistan that has killed more than 50 people, two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing a deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-run side of the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. Pakistan rejects the charge. – Pakistan accounts hacked – Pakistan's National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT) meanwhile warned of the risk of increased cyberattacks on emails, social media, QR codes and messaging apps. Both Pakistan's Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Karachi Port Trust said this week that their X accounts had been hacked and later restored. In the case of the Karachi Port Trust, the account was hacked to say that the port — one of South Asia's busiest — has been attacked by the Indian military. The X account was later restored and the port authority said that no attack had taken place. India has also banned more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading 'provocative' content, including Pakistani news outlets. Pakistani Bollywood movie regulars Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam were also off limits in India, as well as a wide range of cricketers including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Rising hostilities between the South Asian neighbors have unleashed an avalanche of online misinformation, with social media users circulating everything from deepfake videos to outdated images from unrelated conflicts, falsely linking them to the ongoing fighting.
