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Showing posts with label Indian Government website. Show all posts

CoWIN App Data Leak Claims: Minister Denies Direct Breach

 

Amidst concerns over a potential data breach in India's CoWIN app, the Union Minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has stated that the app or its database does not appear to have been directly breached. The CoWIN app has been widely used in India for scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations and managing vaccination certificates.

The clarification comes in response to recent claims of a data leak, where personal information of individuals registered on the CoWIN platform was allegedly being sold on the dark web. The Union Minister assured the public that the government is taking the matter seriously and investigating the claims.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, preliminary investigations suggest that the data leak may not have originated from a direct breach of the CoWIN app or its database. However, the government has initiated a thorough inquiry to determine the source and nature of the alleged data leak.

Data security and privacy have been significant concerns in the digital era, particularly in the healthcare sector where sensitive personal information is involved. As the COVID-19 vaccination drive continues, ensuring the protection of citizens' data becomes paramount. Any breach or compromise in the CoWIN system could erode public trust and confidence in the vaccination process.

The CoWIN platform has been subject to rigorous security measures, including data encryption and other safeguards to protect personal information. Additionally, the government has urged citizens to remain cautious and avoid sharing personal details or vaccine-related information on unauthorized platforms or with unknown individuals.

It is important for individuals to stay vigilant and follow official channels for vaccine registration and information. The government has emphasized the importance of using the official CoWIN app or website, which are secure platform for vaccine-related activities.

As investigations into the alleged data leak continue, the government is working to enhance the security measures of the CoWIN platform. Strengthening cybersecurity protocols and regularly auditing the system can help prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining data security in the digital age. It highlights the need for constant vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard sensitive information. The government's response to these claims underscores its commitment to addressing data security concerns and ensuring the privacy of citizens.

As the vaccination drive plays a crucial role in controlling the spread of COVID-19, maintaining public trust in the CoWIN platform is imperative. By addressing any potential vulnerabilities and reinforcing data protection measures, the government aims to assure citizens that their personal information is safe and secure during the vaccination process.

Despite worries about a data leak in the CoWIN app, the Union Minister's statement suggests that neither the app nor its database appears to have been directly compromised. The government's examination of the situation serves to underline its dedication to data security and privacy. Maintaining the integrity and security of systems associated with vaccines continues to be a high priority while efforts to battle the epidemic continue.

SC website hacked, Brazil “HackTeam” suspected

Screenshot of Supreme Court website Thursday morning

At around noon on Thursday, it was found that the website of the Supreme Court of India was hacked, reportedly occurring soon after or while the court announced its dismissal of the plea for an independent probe into the death of Judge Loya.

The incident was discovered when screenshots were shared by users on Twitter, showing an image resembling a cannabis leaf, along with text reading “Hackeado por HighTech Brazil HackTeam” and “te amo linda pequena ...melhor amiga que já tive,” which roughly translate respectively to “Hacked by HighTech Brazil HackTeam” and “I love you, beautiful little girl ...best friend I've ever had.”


No one has yet come out to claim responsibility of the attack but based on the text, it is believed that Brazilian hackers, specifically the hacker group HighTech Brazil HackTeam, are involved in the hacking of the website.

While the messages had been removed once the hack got reported, the website remained inaccessible for quite a while.

The SC officials reportedly admitted that the website had been “non-functional” since 11:35 in the morning, but did not comment on whether the website was hacked or not, saying that they were “not authorised” to speak on the issue.

This attack comes after, earlier this month, several government websites were believed to be hacked, but were later reported to be the results of a glitch according to the government. The websites that were affected include Ministry of Defence, Election Commission, Department of Public Enterprises, etc.

Defense Ministry website hit by glitch, not hacked, says Govt

Several government websites, including the Indian Defence Ministry’s website, were on Friday believed to be hacked after they showed a chinese character and an error message. The government said that the error was not caused by a hack, but by a technical glitch.

On Friday, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted that “action is initiated after hacking” of the Ministry of Defense website and that it will be restored shortly.


Later on the same day, the Ministry of Electronics and IT issued a statement saying that the websites had in fact not been hacked but were affected by a “technical issue in storage.”

“The site showed what appeared to be a Chinese character and it was understandable that the site was perceived to be hacked,” the government said in the statement. “However, it has since been identified that the sites have not been hacked.”

The websites affected by the glitch were hosted in the NIC data centre (National Informatics Centre) and about 10 government websites became inaccessible to the public.

The websites that were affected include Ministry of Defence, MHA, Department of Public Enterprises, Election Commission, EPFO, Ministry of Labor, and Department of Science & Technology.