IT APPEARS that cyber attackers have found a new way to take advantage of an old Microsoft Office hole. Symantec researchers were the first to notice a specially crafted Trojan that exploits the previously patched vulnerability. The attack occurs when a user opens up an e-mail that contains a Microsoft Word file with a malicious DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file."The exploit makes use of an ActiveX control embedded in a Word document file. The Microsoft Store India is currently unavailable.

The hacked sites include the www.paisacontrol.com, a site that dealt with stock related news and tips and Border Security Force (BSF). Microsoft is working to restore access as quickly as possible. But other hacked sites are mostly beyond recovery. The worst affected one belonged to the BSF. The hacking of the BSF site followed the killings that took place at the Indo-Bangla border by the BSF personnel. The site was completely damaged. They had also posted videos of alleged brutality BSF personnel indulged in.

Whatever it is, Black Hat Hackers, a hacker group based in Bangladesh have been responsible for hacking as many as 20,000 websites. After their hacking spree, the group went on a virtual celebration too. The hackers in a statement said that they had protested against the brutality of BSF as well as Indian government: “India supported us in 1971, now they are killing us!!!! An open enemy is better than a false friend.” Thus hacking is done not on any personal issues. It is a kind of terrorism.

Cyber crime is not at all new. Nortel Networks was the victim of a series of cyber attacks, likely originating from China for almost 10 years, but the company ultimately failed to defend itself. This is also true about Indian websites.  Ashell India left the Cyber World because of fear. All these show that India is not yet prepared to counter cyber crimes. There should be more vigilance and technical expertise to combat the menace.