The Cabinet Division in Islamabad has recently issued a warning to all federal ministries and departments in response to a series of reported cyber-attacks. These cyber-attacks have been concerning, as they involve the use of fake emails and WhatsApp messages that appear to come from government departments, raising significant worries about the security of sensitive government information.
One noteworthy aspect highlighted in the warning pertains to the impersonation of government departments. The fraudulent emails originated from an email ID falsely claiming to be “JS (COORD)” and also from fake IDs associated with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and PM Secretariat. Such impersonation tactics are clearly aimed at deceiving government officials and have raised red flags in the eyes of experts, as reported in The News.
Moreover, these deceptive emails contain malicious attachments designed to entice recipients into downloading files onto their computers. This is a common technique employed in cyber-attacks to introduce malware or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The seriousness of the situation is underscored in the letter, which advises all federal ministries to exercise caution while the matter is being investigated “at the highest level.” This emphasizes the gravity of the situation and stresses the need for immediate action to address this cyber threat effectively.
In conclusion, the warning letter from the Cabinet Division underscores the severity of the cyber threats faced by federal ministries and departments. It emphasizes the necessity for immediate actions to bolster cybersecurity measures and prevent further attacks. Government officials and departments are strongly urged to exercise extreme caution when dealing with emails and messages from unfamiliar or suspicious sources.