Customs site hack: Pakistani attackers claim responsibility

Experts bemoaned the lack of security for government sites —Photo: Special Arrangement

The website of Chennai Customs was hacked, allegedly by a Pakistani national, two days ago. Customs officials shut down the site soon after they noticed it on Wednesday.

Visitors to the website - www.chennaicustoms.gov.in were shocked after they saw the following message “Struck By Faisal 1337. CHENNAI CUSTOMS HOUSE Hacked! Pakistan Zindabad. We Are Team Pak Cyber Attacker. Security is just an illusion.”

A senior Customs officer said the site provides only general information to the public and that there was no threat to any sensitive information. “Some years ago, the Delhi Airport Customs’ site was hacked and defaced,” he added.

The official added that an internal probe was currently on. “Senior officers will decide whether we have to approach the police for help,” the officer said. A senior officer with the Chennai City Police said that neither they nor the State police had received any complaint from the Customs. “We heard their site was hacked. But unless we receive a complaint, we cannot conduct an investigation,” said an officer.

A police source said that most investigations pertaining to hacking end up in Pakistan. “Many cases are left just like that. The case is pursued further with the help of the Interpol as we are sure the neighbouring country will not cooperate,” said the source.

Meanwhile, cyber crime experts said hacking was like “infiltrating into a house through a weak link in the compound wall. “Hacking is usually done through a mail. No steps have been taken by the government to ensure security for government websites. Experts have not been consulted so far,” said R. Thilagaraj, former director, centre for cyber forensic and information security, University Of Madras.

Senior police officers said that big firms employ ethical hackers to keep a check on hacking.

“They keep checking the servers for attacks and strengthen weak links. The government should employ such people and also have good security software and protocols to prevent hacking,” an officer added. The site was shut down following the attack. Senior police officer said that most investigations end up in Karachi.