The official website of Gangadhar Meher University (GMU) in Sambalpur fell victim to a major cyber attack on Wednesday evening. Hackers defaced the portal, displaying pro-Pakistan slogans and imagery, raising serious concerns about data security.
Details of the Cyber Attack on University Portal
On Wednesday evening, visitors to the GMU website were greeted with a disturbing sight. The homepage was taken over by a large, flashing image of the Pakistani flag. Across various pages of the site, messages like 'ISI Zindabad' and 'Pakistan Zindabad' were prominently posted by the hackers.
The attackers, identifying themselves as 'overthrash1337', left clear marks of their intrusion. They posted declarations such as 'GM University got owned', 'hacked by overthrash1337', 'Pak Airforce Zindabad', and 'Pak Cyber Force'. Importantly, the hack did not redirect users to any external malicious sites but effectively disabled crucial functional links on the portal.
Immediate Fallout and Security Response
The breach had an immediate and practical impact on the university's academic functions. Students found themselves unable to access essential services, including downloading admit cards and certificates. This disruption highlighted the vulnerability of critical academic data stored on the portal.
University authorities acted swiftly in response. Deputy registrar U C Pati confirmed that the incident has been formally reported to the cyber police for investigation. As a security measure, the compromised website has been temporarily shut down. Officials stated that the external agency responsible for maintaining the university's website has been instructed to work on restoring it securely.
Broader Concerns and Ongoing Investigation
This incident has sparked a significant conversation about the cybersecurity preparedness of educational institutions in India. The defacement with politically charged messages from a rival nation points to a targeted attack rather than random vandalism.
The primary focus now is on restoring the website safely and conducting a thorough forensic analysis. Key questions remain about whether any sensitive student or administrative data was accessed or stolen during the breach. The cyber police's investigation will be crucial in identifying the perpetrators and understanding the full scope of the attack.
For now, the university community awaits the secure restoration of its online presence while authorities work to bolster digital defenses against future threats.
