The official former website of the Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (MPSACS) has been hijacked by unauthorized parties and is now being used to promote fraudulent job opportunities, creating confusion and posing significant cybersecurity risks to citizens.
Domain Lapse Leads to Digital Hijacking
According to an MPSACS official, the previous domain mpsacsb.org lapsed after the developer contract was terminated. While a new domain mpsacs.in has been registered under the GOV.IN framework, the old domain was not renewed and subsequently fell into the hands of cyber squatters.
The compromised website now displays advertisements for government positions such as Staff Nurse and Lab Technician, complete with instructions that "MPSACSB Application Form 2025 shall be submitted through the website mpsacsb.org." These fake postings closely mimic legitimate government recruitment notices, potentially misleading job seekers into sharing sensitive personal information.
Official Communication Channels Compromised
Adding to the security concerns, the official MPSACS contact email info@mpsacs.org, which remains listed on the Madhya Pradesh government's health department portal, has also been compromised. This creates a serious risk of citizens unknowingly sharing confidential data with unauthorized third parties.
When contacted about the security breach, MPSACS Project Director Suchismita Saxena confirmed that "the matter would be investigated" while emphasizing that "our priority is to roll out a new website MPSACS.in."
Oversight Highlights Broader Cybersecurity Concerns
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the digital vulnerabilities facing government portals, particularly coming to light around World AIDS Day. Had the domain been properly retained or transitioned to a secure .gov.in address, this security risk could have been entirely avoided.
The situation underscores the critical importance of maintaining robust digital infrastructure and proper domain management protocols within government organizations, especially those handling sensitive public health information and citizen data.
