ISLAMABAD – The risk of a possible cyberattack has increased due to ongoing regional tensions. In response, Pakistan’s National Computer Emergency Response Team has issued a fresh security advisory.
The national cyber emergency body warned that sensitive institutions could be targeted. Government departments, defence organisations, and financial institutions are considered high-risk targets. Officials said the threat of a major cyberattack cannot be ignored in the current situation.
According to the advisory, attackers may use different digital tactics. These include deepfake campaigns, spear-phishing emails, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Such methods can disrupt systems and spread false information.
The advisory also warned that official social media accounts could be compromised. Banking and financial systems may face ransomware threats. These attacks could block access to data until a ransom is paid.
Government employees and the general public have been urged to remain alert. They have been advised not to click on suspicious links. Users should avoid downloading unverified mobile applications.
The advisory has made multi-factor authentication mandatory for sensitive systems. Immediate software updates and security patches are also required. Officials said these steps can reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack.
Public sector staff have been instructed to follow strict cybersecurity guidelines. They must report unusual activity without delay. Authorities also warned about psychological operations carried out through fake videos and fabricated news.
IT teams across institutions have been directed to conduct threat hunting exercises. Comprehensive security audits have also been ordered. These steps aim to detect vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Earlier, sources reported that two private television channels and one mobile application experienced breaches. Technical teams acted quickly to restore the affected platforms. All services are now functioning normally.
At the same time, sources claimed that a counter-response was launched. Some Indian television channels and a few Israeli websites reportedly faced hacking attempts. However, officials have not released detailed information about these claims.
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Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. They have stressed that preparedness and awareness are key to preventing any large-scale cyberattack in Pakistan.
