7 Biggest Ransomware Attacks in India

Ransomware in india has emerged as a pressing concern for businesses, institutions, and individuals. Over the years, there has been a surge in ransomware attacks in india that have targeted a broad spectrum of entities, leading to substantial financial losses and reputational damage.

In this blog, we shall delve into the 7 most significant ransomware attack in india illuminating the magnitude of their impact and the lessons that have been learned from each incident.

India has been plagued by several recent ransomware attacks, disrupting critical services and causing widespread panic. Let's take a closer look at some of the recent ransomware attacks that have hit India:

AIIMS Attack: In 2023, hackers attacked AIIMS Delhi, causing server shutdowns and disrupting health services. Patient data was potentially compromised, highlighting the dangers of cyberattacks on health care. This malicious attack emphasized the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information. This is by far the most recent ransomware attacks in india that shook up the entire healthcare industry.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh power utility systems attack: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, two southern states in India, got hit by a ransomware attack on their power utility systems last year. The malicious virus took down all the servers until the glitch was resolved. Since the computer systems of the two states were interlinked, the virus spread quickly, leading to a complete shutdown of all systems.

UHBVN Ransomware Attack: Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, a power company in Haryana, was attacked by hackers who gained access to the company's computer systems and stole the billing data of customers. The attackers in return demanded a hefty ransom amount of Rs.1 crore or $10 million in exchange for returning the stolen data.

WannaCry: The WannaCry ransomware attack affected more than 2 lakh computer systems. This ransomware attack hit banks in India and a few enterprises in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Mirai Botnet Malware Attack: Another shocking ransomware attack in India was the Mirai botnet malware attack. This botnet malware targeted home routers and IoT devices specifically, affecting 2.5 million IoT devices, which included a bountiful number of computer systems in India. The malware exploited unpatched vulnerabilities to access networks and systems.

Petya: This recent ransomware attack made India the top 10th country which was hit by the Petya ransomware attack. This ransomware attack in India caused a computer lockdown and interrupted work at one of the terminals of India's largest seaport.

BSNL Malware Attack: The state-owned telecom operator BSNL was hit by a significant malware attack, impacting nearly 2,000 broadband modems. Sixty thousand modems became dysfunctional after the malware attack hit the Telecom Circle.

These recent ransomware attacks in india have highlighted the need for organizations to adopt robust cybersecurity measures to protect themselves against such attacks. It is crucial to invest in security infrastructure, conduct regular vulnerability assessments, and educate employees on safe online practices. Organizations must also keep their software up-to-date, install the latest security patches, and back up their data regularly to prevent data loss due to ransomware attacks.

In conclusion, these recent ransomware attacks in India are a growing concern. The attacks on critical infrastructure like power utilities and seaports highlight the need for better cybersecurity measures to protect against such attacks. As India continues to digitalize its economy, it is vital to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure to safeguard the country's critical assets and prevent significant economic and societal consequences.

The Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE) is a dynamic tech ecosystem of startups, companies, and innovators based in Hyderabad, India. Our primary mission is to develop effective cybersecurity solutions, foster a safe cyberspace and make India the global cybersecurity hub. CCoE is a joint effort between the Government of Telangana and DSCI, created to boost India's IT ecosystem. We achieve our goals by incubating startups, organizing workshops, providing training programs, participating in local and international initiatives, and much more.

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