Amidst rising tensions between Pakistan and India, the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT) has issued a high-priority advisory, warning of a surge in cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns aimed at exploiting the current situation.
According to the advisory, malicious actors are capitalizing on the climate of uncertainty to conduct sophisticated cyber operations, targeting critical national networks through phishing schemes, fake news, deceptive messages, and harmful links disseminated across social media and messaging platforms.
These cyberattacks are designed to sow confusion, steal sensitive information, and destabilize key systems.
“The adversaries are spreading disinformation using fraudulent messages, phishing attacks, and fabricated stories to mislead the public,” the advisory stated.
It cautions that hostile elements are attempting to create uncertainty and panic by disseminating false narratives disguised as urgent alerts or official communication.
The advisory emphasizes that these threats are not confined to government systems but extend to corporate networks and individual users.
Attackers are employing advanced techniques such as homograph attacks — URLs that mimic trusted domains using similar-looking characters — and QR codes that redirect users to malicious websites.
Compromised web pages and unauthorized advertisements are also being utilized to inject malware and gain unauthorized access.
To counter these threats, NCERT recommends that users avoid clicking on unsolicited or suspicious links, refrain from sharing unverified information on platforms like WhatsApp, and rely solely on official sources for updates.
“Do not open unverified emails, messages, or social media links. Always verify before acting,” it advises.
The advisory also recommends bolstering endpoint security with updated antivirus tools, enabling multi-factor authentication, and monitoring networks for unusual activity. It urges the public to play a proactive role by remaining vigilant and not amplifying rumors or unauthenticated content.
NCERT assures that rapid response mechanisms are in place and implores citizens to rely exclusively on trusted government or emergency sources for accurate information.
“Together, we can prevent the spread of misinformation and defend our digital frontlines,” the advisory concludes.
