• Chinese Hackers Break into MEA Servers

    Chinese Hackers Break into MEA Servers

    Techtree News Staff, Apr 14, 2008 1234 hrs IST

    The incident is believed to have set alarm bells ringing through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) though no sensitive information was stolen.

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Late last week, there were reports doing the rounds that hackers based out of neighboring China had managed to break into the servers of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

While the reports quoted unnamed MEA sources as confirming that no sensitive information had indeed been touched by the hackers, the incident has clearly set alarm bells ringing through the ministry that is believed to be in the process of dispatching teams to ensure future security of their computer systems.

What is even more alarming is that while the latest incident involves hackers who're suspected to be from China because their IP addresses are traceable back to that country, sources also revealed that this isn't the first time MEA servers have been hacked neither are the Chinese the only people trying to hack into sensitive information. Apparently, hackers from across the globe, including those from the US and Europe have been actively trying to penetrate the ministry's computer systems for the past five years or so.

Luckily this time around, no sensitive information has been stolen but MEA servers typically store all kinds of strategic information including exchanges between headquarters and missions on sensitive issues and policy matters. The reports quoted sources saying that despite regular checks and revision of security measures, the problem of hacking continues, looking nowhere near being solved.

As for China, just last year, the Chinese government itself was accused of hacking into the systems of the US Pentagon. Although China denied involvement saying Beijing was against cyber crime.

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Discussion Board
(29) Comments
Xander
,Kolkata, on May 06, 2008 11:28 PM
Hahah! U mean hackers in india....forget it man...most of our country's computers are already affected..zombies...they are just mapping our networks and making a blueprint of our computer system..our system is too vulnerable...as most of us dont even now the true meaning of security..still running that windows..and call us a secured nation....But u shuld know 1 thing that There are some Eggheads in India who are really capable of bringing a whole Chinese Defence Down..if the goverment permints of retailating....
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Jay
,Bangalore, on Apr 17, 2008 10:39 AM
If we cant stop this snoopin by the english illiterate chinese.. then maybe there's no reason why we should be called the IT capital of the world. Assuming the no of programmers and comp nerds that we have., it will be a pity if we cant secure our systems.. Maybe we should show the rest of the world about how gud indian hackers are!! lolz.. :0
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hack
,bangalore, on Apr 18, 2008 03:49 PM
Who said India is IT capital, China is almost in the verge of taking over this status.
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freedom is...
,yourmom, on Apr 18, 2008 02:16 AM
We need to hack them back, before vital information is taken from us. "Death to the infidels". lolz copter d[-_-]b
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Death among the
,dallas, on Apr 18, 2008 02:11 AM
Bollocks this is wicked. I do say, "They are no match for me and my ability. Silly Asians!!!!!!!
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vik-singh--vikr
,lucknow, on Apr 17, 2008 05:08 AM
mindblowing -
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Manju
,Bangalore, on Apr 16, 2008 02:18 AM
Chinese are buffaloes
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dustin
,dayton, on Apr 15, 2008 10:24 PM
meet me with a link
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S.KSenapati
,Srikakulam (A.P.), on Apr 15, 2008 08:59 PM
It is high time the govt has to to be more vigilant and stringent measures in maintaining the servers and upgrade firewalls as deem fit. If possible they should sack the person who was in charge of server security for not take adequate steps in advance. This is tragic.
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hhhhhhhh
,hhhhhhhhhhhh, on Apr 15, 2008 06:44 PM
hhhhhhhhhh
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User
,Earth Planet of Gloom, on Apr 15, 2008 06:14 PM
Its a reality that the chinese have been doing hack against other countries to get defense and commercial secrets out, just in the US many corporations/govt agencies have been the target of the chinese dragon on the net. They woke up long back and today they have started to go on the offensive, lets hope the indians running win 98 on many govt pc's still!!!!! will start 'thinking' about some security and take counter measures. Let this be a wake up call to the babus of the govt. P.S.-No, Compared to the russians/germans/americans/israelis or even the chinese i dont think Indians have any dedicated hackers otherthan some script kiddies ...so please dont go around thumping around about how gr8 the 'indian hackers' are,compared to the chinese who come to you with dedicated units numbering in the thousands in their military engaged in hacking sites around the world. Wake up guys...dont confuse blindness to patriotism!
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Flamboyz
,Hyderabad, on Apr 14, 2008 01:14 PM
I seriously suggest, to all our Indians who are a part of the Hacking Community to start proving the world that "We are the Leaders" and provide a counter-attack to Countries like China...Tell them "MESS WITH ME AND WE'LL MAKE YOUR LIFE HELL"
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Anonymous
,A, on Apr 14, 2008 02:06 PM
ok.
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Sandeep
,Chennai, on Apr 14, 2008 02:36 PM
i've got a much better solution: Use Linux rather than insecure OS like Windows.End of story.
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non
,abc, on Apr 14, 2008 06:04 PM
don't use the bullshit windows use linux
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Kevin
,Delhi, on Apr 14, 2008 06:34 PM
using linux is not a solution. there is low hacks doesnot mean that linux is not venerable. it is only because windows have more users and therefore hackers concentrate on it. linux as well as other OS are equally venerable.
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Jack
,Bangalore, on Apr 15, 2008 09:41 AM
Yes dude...ur rt !!! we need start it from today onwords...
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asdf
,Hyderabad, on Apr 15, 2008 04:37 PM
now that's the spirit.Hackers in our country should show them what we are made of.
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Godwin
,Bangalore, on Apr 15, 2008 01:12 PM
Last week even one of our client's website got hacked from Chinese....an SQL injection..."HIGH TIME WE STRIKE BACK"
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ykcul
,Kula Lumpur, on Apr 15, 2008 11:34 AM
any damn server can be ripped apart in a weeks time, no big deal. High time India hires a bunch of super nuts and form a Cyber Defence/Attack force to moniter attack attempts and take necessary action.
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Alok
,Somewhere, on Apr 15, 2008 10:55 AM
what we gotta realise, is that these creeps (>95% chinese) are not just after MEA servers, they try to attack each and every machine on internet. Just take a look at your router logs, every 2-3 minute you will see an attempted attack or somebody sniffing.
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S K G RAO
,BANGALORE - INDIA, on Apr 15, 2008 05:29 AM
Don't we have a system which is hack proof in our MEA and aren't there hackers to dectect hackers.
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Mathew Abraham
,Milton keynes, UK, on Apr 14, 2008 02:08 PM
As India sleeps, dreaming of world political recognition as a super power and peaceful co-existence, there is a growing menace evolving and gaining strength all around her. However, her leaders continue to look the other way, impervious to all advices, attempting to play the fiddle and court China for a seat in the Security Council, etc., while the fire gains strength. Yesterday was Tibet and tomorrow will be a greater part of India ? China will never allow a strong India as a next door neighbor. She will continue to humiliate India in the political stage as well as on the borders and with our neighbours. It may take another humiliation at the boarder for India to wake and take stock of the danger ? by then she may find herself fully encircled.
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Anonymous
,Seattle, on Apr 15, 2008 03:23 AM
Lets use Mainframe systems, they are secure ... lol... See, frankly speaking, i dont understand whats the deal here. Its a natural phenomena. Its a simple Intelligence gathering. We can secure our gates plus initiate the counter intelligence. But, no matter how much we improve, they will find a way. And this applies other way round too when we talk about our counter intelligence. So its a game, keep playing!
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Shard
,Bangalore, on Apr 14, 2008 06:09 PM
India should give login and passwords to China...After all, China is stepping on India's feet in Arunachal, Nepal and in Kashmir. Now even MEA servers should become a storage facility for China
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Don Maisnam
,Los Angeles, CA, on Apr 14, 2008 10:33 PM
Kashmir, Nepal nor Arunachal are Indian territory. Why are u indians worrying so much. Its a matter of years when Kashmir and the North East will breakway from India.
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A@B.COM
,China, on Apr 14, 2008 10:39 PM
Do you know how many states has BEEN grabbed from other countries by UNCLE SAM ???
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ratan
,vizag, on Apr 14, 2008 09:08 PM
latest news
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Bulldog
,delhi, on Apr 14, 2008 07:38 PM
lemme try my hand with china :)))....
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