Teens behind cyberattacks on govt sites during Operation Sindoor failed Class 12
In a shocking revelation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested two teenagers, including a minor, for their involvement in cyberattacks on Indian government websites during Operation Sindoor. The surprising twist is that both Jaseem Shahnawaz Ansari and the minor, who is almost 18 years old, have failed their Class 12 exams.
The news has raised concerns about the growing threat of cyberattacks and the ease with which young individuals can become experts in these activities. According to the ATS, the duo had learned Python and other programming languages over a period of six to eight months, which enabled them to identify tools and applications to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
Operation Sindoor was a massive cyberattack operation launched by the Indian government in September 2022 to take down websites and servers of government agencies, banks, and other organizations. The operation was aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening cybersecurity measures. However, the Gujarat ATS has revealed that the cyberattacks were not limited to just government websites, but also targeted other organizations.
The ATS officials stated that the two teenagers, who hail from Gujarat, became experts in cyber activities over a short period of time. They acquired the necessary skills to launch DDoS attacks, which are designed to overwhelm websites and servers with a large amount of traffic, making it difficult for users to access them.
The minor, who is almost 18 years old, has been identified as a key player in the cyberattacks. According to the ATS, the minor was actively involved in the attacks and had even created a Twitter handle to spread propaganda and threaten the government.
The Gujarat ATS has been investigating a series of cyberattacks on government websites and other organizations since September 2022. During the investigation, the officials found that the attacks were being launched from different IP addresses, making it challenging to identify the perpetrators.
However, the ATS officials used their technical expertise to track down the IP addresses and trace the attacks to the two teenagers. The officials stated that the duo had used VPNs and proxy servers to conceal their identities and locations.
The Gujarat ATS has been working closely with other cybercrime agencies to identify and arrest individuals involved in cyberattacks. The agency has also been working on strengthening cybersecurity measures to prevent such attacks in the future.
The news of the teenagers’ involvement in cyberattacks has raised concerns about the growing threat of cybercrime. Cybersecurity experts have warned that the ease with which individuals can acquire skills to launch cyberattacks is a major concern. They have also emphasized the need for governments and organizations to strengthen their cybersecurity measures to prevent such attacks.
In recent years, India has faced several high-profile cyberattacks, including the notorious WannaCry attack in 2017. The attacks have not only caused financial losses but have also compromised sensitive information.
The Gujarat ATS has appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity or cyberattacks to the authorities. The agency has also warned individuals to be cautious while using the internet and to avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown software.
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on technology, the threat of cyberattacks is likely to continue to grow. It is essential for governments and organizations to work together to strengthen cybersecurity measures and prevent such attacks. The arrest of the two teenagers is a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for individuals to be aware of the risks involved in the digital world.
