Three Pakistani Airport Websites Hacked By Indian Hackers

Indian hackers allegedly have infected three Pakistan airport websites with ransom ware for avenging the hacking of the official website of the elite National Security Guard (NSG) by hackers in Pakistan.

“We have hacked Islamabad, Peshawar, Multan International and Karachi airport website,” Indian hackers were quoted as saying by mail online India Monday.

Apart from hacking and bringing the website down, they have also injected it with ransomware malware which restricts the use of website by its owner.

Indian hackers locked the access to the websites and are demanding bitcoins (virtual money) in exchange for unlocking it. “Last time the money we got from Pakistan to unlock their computer was donated to needy kids but this time, they will not share the key to unlock the sites,” an Indian hacker said.

The move came just a day after Pakistani hackers, identifying themselves as 'Alone Injector', posted the offensive content on NSG's official homepage. The website belonged to the 'black cat' commandos and is maintained from the NSG headquarters. It provides basic information about the force, its origin and operations. Remedial action has been processed by National Informatics Centre.

Indian hackers retaliated immediately, launching a massive attack on crucial Pakistan establishment and warned both Pakistan hackers and the government against attacking India further.

“We have many other important Pakistan websites under our control, but they will be compromised only if Pakistan tries to open an attack against India.” one of the Indian hackers involved in the 'counter-strike' said.

“We have been closely monitoring attacks coming from Pakistan. They have been engulfed in spreading hatred and abusing India and government.” the hacker said.

“We have control of many Pakistani websites and each attack will get a stricter reply from our side,” the hacker added.

This hacking group in past had infected the Pakistan government systems, taken control over hundreds of computers and locked its complete data, making it inaccessible - using a malicious programme. The hacking group also leaked details of Pakistan army officers and banking details.

This fighting started last week after Pakistan cyber attackers hacked Thiruvananthapuram airport's website. Again a group of cyber experts from Kerala, 'Mallu Cyber Soldiers' decided to respond by hacking the website of a Pakistani airport. The hacker obtained the login information for the website of the Sialkot International Airport in Pakistan's Punjab province. They changed the password and shared the new login details with the public.

The hacking of airport websites can be used to get out crucial information about flights, which can have serious consequences, experts said. Moreover, leaking of details about the individual airports - from logistics to facilities is also dangerous, they added.

Experts also said that intelligence-gathering process has increased as hackers are not only defacing the sites but are silently spying on critical networks.

Such fights are common but now the intensity of attacks have increased many fold as hackers from both the countries are targeting crucial websites, said Kislay Choudhary, a cyber crime expert.