India most targeted country by religiously-motivated hacktivists

India most targeted country by religiously-motivated hacktivists

Security firms tracking hacktivist groups have reported an intensification of online attacks on India, driven by the perception that the country has offended their religious sentiments. These hacktivist groups, motivated by the belief that their religious beliefs have been disrespected, are seeking to retaliate through cyberattacks.

The term “hacktivist” refers to hackers who engage in cyber activities to promote their ideological or political agendas. In this case, the groups are targeting India due to their perceived grievances related to religious issues. The attacks are likely aimed at causing disruption and making their grievances heard.

Such cyberattacks can take various forms, including website defacements, data breaches, distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and other malicious activities carried out online.

For India, this trend poses a significant cybersecurity challenge, as the country’s online infrastructure and digital presence are vulnerable to such attacks. Security experts and authorities in India will be closely monitoring the situation and taking appropriate measures to counter these cyber threats.

As the situation unfolds, security firms will continue to track and analyze the activities of these hacktivist groups to assess the scale and impact of the cyberattacks. Timely and robust cybersecurity measures will be crucial to protect India’s digital assets and maintain the integrity of its online platforms.

The cybersecurity landscape in India has been witnessing a concerning trend with hacktivist groups intensifying their online attacks. According to reports from security firms, hacktivists claimed a significant number of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, totaling 480, specifically targeting Indian websites during the first three months of this year. This surge in DDoS attacks has made India the most targeted country for such cyber threats.

A recent report by CloudSek Information Security has corroborated this trend, indicating that hacktivist groups have been consistently targeting Indian websites for the past two years, not just in the recent past. This sustained and prolonged focus on cyberattacks raises concerns about the potential impact on India’s digital infrastructure and online services.

DDoS attacks involve overwhelming a website or online service with a massive volume of traffic, causing it to become inaccessible to legitimate users. These attacks can disrupt services, damage reputation, and lead to financial losses for businesses and organizations.

The motivation behind these attacks is rooted in the perception that India has hurt the religious sentiments of these hacktivist groups. As a result, they seek to retaliate through cyber means, aiming to express their grievances and draw attention to their beliefs.

Given the severity and ongoing nature of these attacks, bolstering India’s cybersecurity defenses is of paramount importance. Collaborative efforts between the government, businesses, and security experts will be crucial in combating and mitigating these cyber threats. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, including DDoS protection, threat monitoring, and incident response protocols, will be essential to safeguard India’s digital assets and ensure the uninterrupted functioning of online services.

According to the findings by CloudSek, hacktivists have varying reasons for targeting different countries. While they have both political and religious motives for targeting countries like Israel, Poland, Australia, and Pakistan, India is primarily targeted for religious reasons. CloudSek tracked the communication channels of these hacktivists from 2021 to 2023 and found that certain countries were prime targets for hacktivist groups based in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Among these countries, India was the most targeted, accounting for 30.31% of the attacks by hacktivist groups. Israel followed as the second most targeted country with 14.51% of the attacks, and Sweden accounted for 2.67% of the attacks.

These findings highlight the specific focus of hacktivists from the mentioned regions on targeting countries like India, Israel, and Sweden. While hacktivist attacks are motivated by a mix of political and religious reasons, the data indicates that religious sentiments have been a significant factor in the cyberattacks against India.

Understanding the motivations and patterns of these attacks is crucial in devising effective cybersecurity strategies to protect digital assets and online services in the targeted countries. As cyber threats continue to evolve, proactive measures and collaborative efforts will be essential to counter the activities of hacktivist groups and safeguard the integrity and availability of online platforms and services.

According to the findings by CloudSek, cyberattacks on countries like Poland (5.14%), Ukraine (2.91%), and Lithuania (2.97%) were primarily motivated by political factors. The attackers behind these cyberattacks were predominantly from Middle Eastern and Russian hacktivist groups. Notably, the groups involved in these attacks included Anonymous Sudan and the Russian hacktivist group NoName057, suspected to operate from Sudan and Russia, respectively.

In the case of these countries, the cyberattacks were likely driven by geopolitical tensions and political motivations, rather than religious reasons. These hacktivist groups may have targeted these nations to express their grievances, advocate for particular political causes, or engage in cyber activism.

The distinct motivations behind cyberattacks on different countries underscore the diverse nature of hacktivist activities. While religious sentiments may be a significant driving force in attacks on countries like India, political factors play a more prominent role in attacks on nations like Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania.

As hacktivist groups continue to carry out cyberattacks across various regions, monitoring and understanding their activities will be crucial for enhancing cybersecurity measures. Developing targeted defense strategies to counter the specific motivations behind these attacks can help mitigate the impact of hacktivist activities and protect the digital assets and services of targeted countries. Collaborative efforts between governments, cybersecurity experts, and businesses will be essential in this regard to strengthen cybersecurity defenses and respond effectively to cyber threats.

Hacktivism, as a trend, initially emerged with groups using cyber attacks to support social causes, such as the Worm Against Nuclear Killers (WANK) campaign in 1989, and more recent movements like the farmers’ struggle in India and the Black Lives Matter movement. However, over time, the landscape of hacktivism has evolved, and these attacks are now being utilized as a cover for various motives, including religious and political ideologies, as well as state-sponsored cyber warfare.

Political hacktivists typically target government institutions, political parties, or organizations they perceive as oppressive to advance their political agendas or ideologies. On the other hand, religious hacktivists focus on individuals, websites, or platforms that they see as a threat to their faith or use digital activism to promote their religious causes.

In recent years, the lines between cyber warfare and digital dissent have blurred, with hacktivists using cyber attacks to further their goals, which may range from political activism to religious expression. Additionally, some hacktivists seek fame and popularity, leading them to carry out high-profile cyber attacks that attract media attention and public scrutiny.

This evolution in hacktivist motives poses complex challenges for cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement agencies. The blending of political, religious, and ideological motivations in cyber attacks makes it essential to analyze and understand the underlying motives of such activities to develop effective defense strategies.

As the cyber landscape continues to evolve, ongoing monitoring and analysis of hacktivist activities will be crucial to combat the potential threats posed by these actors. Proactive cybersecurity measures and collaborative efforts between various stakeholders are necessary to protect against cyber attacks and ensure the safety and security of digital assets and services.

The Indian farmer’s protest in 2020 gave rise to hacktivist groups like Anonymous India and the Red Rabbit Team. On June 10, 2022, another hacktivist group called ‘DragonForce Malaysia’ launched a series of retaliatory cyberattacks known as OpsPatuk against the government of India and various organizations in response to controversial remarks made by the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, that were seen as condemning Prophet Muhammad.

The group, identified by Radware Advisory, is a pro-Palestinian hacktivist group based in Malaysia. It collaborates with other hacker groups, such as T3 dimension Team, Reliks Crew, and AnonGhost, to carry out its cyber operations. This group’s recent OpsPetir campaign targeted Israel, marking the third consecutive year of such operations against the country.

These hacktivist groups use cyber attacks as a means to express their grievances and advocate for political and religious causes. Their actions demonstrate the growing prominence of hacktivism as a form of digital dissent and the ability of cyber attacks to affect governments and organizations.

As hacktivist groups become more organized and coordinated, their activities continue to pose cybersecurity challenges for the targeted countries and organizations. Vigilance and proactive defense measures are crucial in protecting against these cyber threats and maintaining the integrity and security of digital infrastructure.

It is essential for governments, businesses, and security experts to closely monitor hacktivist activities and understand their motivations to develop appropriate responses and countermeasures to safeguard against potential cyber attacks. Collaborative efforts in the cybersecurity realm are vital in addressing the dynamic landscape of hacktivism and ensuring the resilience of online systems and services.

On February 5, this year, a hacktivist group named Team Insane PK revived the OpIndia campaign on Kashmir Solidarity Day. In March, another group called Mysterious Team Bangladesh launched a cyber campaign called ‘Operation Payback’, targeting Indian websites and publicizing their actions on social media and internet messaging channels. These hacktivist groups were responding to Indian hacktivists targeting websites in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia, according to Radware, a cybersecurity firm.

In April, an additional campaign known as OpIndia2.0 was initiated by Indonesian hacktivist groups VulzSec and Hacktivist of Garuda. These groups carried out cyber attacks as part of their protest against India’s actions in the cyberspace, leading to an escalation in hacktivist activities between the involved countries.

These hacktivist campaigns are driven by political and nationalistic motives, with each group seeking to retaliate and express their grievances against the perceived cyber actions of the other. The cyber domain has become a battleground for these hacktivist groups, leading to an ongoing cycle of attacks and counterattacks.

The increased activity of hacktivist groups poses significant cybersecurity challenges for countries in the region. It highlights the importance of developing robust defense strategies to safeguard digital assets and infrastructure from cyber threats originating from hacktivists.

As the situation evolves, monitoring and understanding the motivations behind these cyber campaigns will be crucial in devising effective responses and mitigating potential cyber risks. Additionally, cooperation and dialogue between countries in the region may play a role in deescalating tensions and reducing the frequency and impact of hacktivist attacks.

India has its share of sympathizer hacktivist groups that engage in cyber activities as a form of digital dissent or to express their support for certain causes. For example, the group known as the ‘Indian Cyber Mafia’ allegedly launched online attacks on Indonesian universities in April as a retaliatory action in response to attacks by Indonesian hacktivist groups on Indian entities.

Other hacktivist groups in India with sympathies or affiliations include:

1. Anonymous India: Known for its global hacktivist activities, this group operates under the broader Anonymous collective and advocates for various social and political causes.
2. Mariana’s Web: This group is named after an internet urban legend and is involved in hacktivist activities, sometimes targeting entities perceived to be in opposition to India’s interests.
3. Team UCC Operation: A hacktivist group with various agendas, including promoting nationalism and advocating for specific political and social causes.
4. Indian Cyber Force: A hacktivist group that claims to work for the welfare of India and its people through cyber activities.
5. Team 1-4-1: Another hacktivist group based in India, known for its involvement in cyber operations for various causes.
6. Kerala Cyber Xtractors: A group that has been associated with hacktivist activities in the state of Kerala, India.

These sympathizer hacktivist groups in India and other countries are part of a larger global trend, where hacktivists use cyber means to further their ideological or nationalistic goals. The activities of these groups can pose cybersecurity risks and challenges for targeted entities and countries.

As hacktivism continues to evolve, cybersecurity experts and authorities must closely monitor and analyze the activities of these groups to devise effective defense strategies. Collaborative efforts between countries can also play a role in mitigating cyber tensions and promoting responsible cyber behavior. Maintaining robust cybersecurity measures is essential to safeguard against cyber attacks and protect the digital infrastructure of nations and organizations.

The Middle Eastern and Asian regions, followed by Europe, have witnessed a significant increase in hacktivist incidents, particularly after the Russia-Ukraine war. According to Radware, political and religious hacktivists claimed over 1,800 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks across 80 Telegram channels between February 18 and April 18.

Among the politically driven, pro-Russian hacktivists, NoName057(16) emerged as the most active DDoS hacktivist, accounting for almost 30% of the claimed attacks. Following closely behind were hacktivist groups like Anonymous Sudan (18%) and Mysterious Team (13%), which are known for their religiously-motivated DDoS activities. Team Insane PK ranked fourth in terms of the most claimed attacks among religiously motivated hacktivist groups.

Additionally, Radware notes that Passion, a pro-Russian hacktivist group, has transformed into a for-profit criminal entity, providing DDoS-for-hire services. This group has targeted large US-based tech companies, posing a cybersecurity threat to these organizations.

The surge in hacktivist activities highlights the increasing use of cyber attacks as a means of expressing political and religious grievances. The motivation behind these attacks varies, ranging from geopolitical conflicts to religious sensitivities. As a result, organizations and governments in these regions need to be vigilant about cyber threats and bolster their cybersecurity defenses to protect against DDoS attacks and other cyber incidents.

Understanding the tactics and activities of hacktivist groups can aid in developing effective defense strategies and fostering international cooperation to combat cyber threats. Collaborative efforts between countries and cybersecurity experts are essential in mitigating the impact of hacktivist activities and ensuring the stability and security of digital infrastructure.

According to Panda Security, hacktivists employ various techniques to further their causes. These techniques include:

1. Doxing: Exposing personal and identifiable information about individuals or groups to the public.
2. Anonymous Blogging: Publishing content anonymously to disseminate information or advocate for specific causes.
3. DoS and DDoS Attacks: Utilizing Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to overwhelm websites or online services, making them inaccessible to legitimate users.
4. Informational Leaks: Using insider sources to publicize sensitive or incriminating information.
5. Geo-bombing: Revealing hidden locations of images to expose sensitive or confidential data.
6. Website Mirroring: Creating replicas of legitimate websites with slightly different URLs to circumvent censorship laws.
7. Code Changing: Modifying website code to personalize content and deface the site’s appearance to align with the hacktivists’ message.

In the past two years, hacktivists have predominantly targeted the government sector, followed by non-profit organizations, education, automobile, finance and banking, and energy, oil, and gas sectors. The automobile and education sectors have experienced defacement, DDoS attacks, and occasional instances of alleged data leaks through the exploitation of openly available data using techniques like Google Dorking.

Hacktivists have also launched DDoS attacks on internet banking services and the energy sector.

These findings underscore the diversity of tactics employed by hacktivists and the broad range of industries and sectors that can be targeted. As hacktivist activities continue to evolve, organizations across various domains need to be vigilant and adopt robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard their digital assets and protect against potential cyber threats. Collaborative efforts between sectors and countries can also play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of hacktivist attacks and enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience.

According to Radware, hacktivist attacks are evolving and becoming more sophisticated, with the emergence of new types of HTTPS Flood attacks, also known as Web DDoS Tsunami attacks. These attacks gained prominence when Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.

HTTPS Flood attacks are characterized by their encrypted and high-volume nature, originating from multiple entry points. They use the secure communication protocol, HTTPS, to evade detection and bypass standard web application firewalls (WAF) and network-based DDoS mitigation tools, making them ineffective in countering these attacks.

The use of encrypted traffic and multiple entry points makes it challenging for traditional security measures to differentiate between legitimate user traffic and malicious requests, enabling the attackers to overwhelm websites and online services effectively. The scale and complexity of these attacks pose significant challenges for organizations trying to defend against them.

As hacktivist groups continue to advance their tactics and techniques, cybersecurity professionals need to adapt their defense strategies to counter these evolving threats effectively. Advanced DDoS protection solutions that can handle encrypted traffic and leverage machine learning algorithms to identify and mitigate anomalous activities may be necessary to safeguard against Web DDoS Tsunami attacks.

Furthermore, fostering information sharing and collaboration between cybersecurity experts and organizations can help in better understanding and responding to emerging cyber threats. As the landscape of hacktivism continues to evolve, a proactive and collective approach to cybersecurity will be vital to protect against the increasing sophistication of these attacks.

Indeed, security firms are increasingly leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data from multiple sources, including network traffic, endpoints, and applications, to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities and combat cyber threats, including hacktivist attacks.

However, it’s important to recognize that the same tools that security firms use to strengthen defenses can also be adopted by hacktivist groups to refine their attack techniques. Prominent hacktivist groups such as Anonymous, LulzSec, Masters of Deception (MOD), and Chaos Computer Club have demonstrated their ability to adapt and use advanced technologies to carry out cyber attacks.

Hacktivist groups may exploit machine learning and AI to automate and optimize their attacks, identify vulnerabilities, and evade traditional security measures more effectively. The application of these technologies in cyber attacks can potentially increase the scale, complexity, and stealth of hacktivist operations.

To counter this challenge, cybersecurity professionals must stay ahead of evolving threats and continuously update their defense strategies. This includes integrating machine learning and AI technologies into cybersecurity tools to detect and mitigate emerging attack patterns. Additionally, collaboration and information sharing within the cybersecurity community can play a critical role in staying abreast of the latest threats and effectively countering hacktivist activities.

As both security firms and hacktivist groups leverage cutting-edge technologies, the cybersecurity landscape remains dynamic and requires constant vigilance and innovation to protect against cyber threats effectively. By embracing advanced technologies and fostering collaboration, the cybersecurity industry can better prepare to face the challenges posed by hacktivist groups and other malicious actors in the digital realm.