In a concerning development preceding the G-20 India Summit 2023, multiple hacker groups have declared their intent to launch cyber attacks on India, uniting under the banner of #OPIndia. This coordinated call for collective G20 cyber attacks, driven by anti-India sentiments, raises alarms as India prepares to host global leaders at the upcoming G-20 summit.
The G-20 India Summit, scheduled to take place on September 9th and 10th, 2023, is focused on digital transformation and will bring together representatives from G20 member countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. The summit aims to discuss urgent global matters related to peace and technological advancements. However, the recent declaration of a cyber war against India by hackers threatens to disrupt these discussions.
Hacktivists have been utilizing cybercrime forums to rally hackers worldwide, urging them to target India’s digital infrastructure as part of their campaign against the nation. Various hacker collectives have designated Indian websites as their specific targets for cyber attacks. Reports have indicated that these attacks have already begun impacting several Indian websites, which are linked to the G20 cyber attack claims.
One of the hacker groups, known as Jambi Cyber Team, has openly declared its intention to launch campaign OpIndia, targeting Indian websites on September 9th and 10th, coinciding with the G-20 India Summit. The group has been actively promoting its cyber attack initiative on social media platforms, with Twitter accounts such as @RedNotice_id, @ganosecteam01, @Team_Herox, @Hacktivist_indo, and @Dan4Indonesia being involved in spreading the message.
While the authenticity of the Indian websites’ cyber attacks has not been confirmed yet, hackers have shared samples of data they claim to have exfiltrated from multiple Indian websites as part of their OpIndia and G20 cyber attacks. The data includes registration details of individuals, along with their photos, which have been posted on the hackers’ social media channels. This raises serious concerns about the protection of personal information and the potential consequences of such data breaches.
Indonesian hackers have also joined the G20 cyber attack initiative and have been actively encouraging other hackers to target Indian websites. A Telegram message posted by Jambi Cyber Team mentioned that the timing of Operation India was not specified, leading to speculations about when the cyber attacks may occur.
Furthermore, a search on Google reveals that several Indian websites have already been targeted and defaced by hackers before the commencement of the G-20 Summit in 2023. This raises questions about the adequacy of G20 cybersecurity measures and the need for tighter security protocols to prevent such incidents.
The ongoing cyber war between nations emphasizes the importance of taking cybersecurity seriously, not only for governments and organizations but also for individuals. Exposing individuals’ personal data online can have significant implications, including financial vulnerabilities, identity theft, and unauthorized use of government-issued documents.
As the G20 India Summit approaches, it is crucial for India to enhance its cybersecurity infrastructure and implement robust measures to protect its digital assets. Additionally, international cooperation and collaboration among G20 member countries are essential to combat cyber threats and ensure the success of the summit.
Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.