Cyberattack Hits Maldives Government: Websites Recover Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Over the weekend, the Maldives faced a cyberattack, resulting in the temporary unavailability of the official websites of the President’s office, Foreign Ministry, and Tourism Ministry. Users attempting to access these sites encountered disruptions for several hours on Saturday night.

The cyberattack on Maldives government websites has been rumored to be related to a recent event where three Maldives ministers- Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha, and Hassan Zihan made derogatory remarks about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Acknowledging the cyberattack on Maldives websites, the President’s office released a statement on social media, attributing the downtime to “technical issues.”

The National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) and other relevant entities worked diligently to restore the functionality of the government websites. Following their efforts, the websites are now back online and functioning as usual.

The tweet from the President’s office read, “Please note that the President’s Office website is currently facing an unexpected technical disruption. NCIT and other relevant entities are actively working on resolving this promptly. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

The Maldives cyberattack incident occurred amidst a broader context of diplomatic tensions, as three Maldivian ministers were reportedly suspended for their remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Maldives government, in response, issued a strong statement emphasizing the need for a democratic and responsible exercise of freedom of expression.

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed condemned the derogatory remarks and urged the government to distance itself from such comments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining positive relations with international partners, reported Deccan Herald.

Speculations of Cyberattack on Maldives Government Websites

While the cyberattack on Maldives government websites took place, speculation arose on various online platforms regarding its motives. Some users speculated that Chinese hackers may have targeted the Maldives websites to discredit India, suggesting a connection to the diplomatic tensions. However, it’s crucial to note that such claims lack concrete evidence.

This is an ongoing story and The Cyber Express is closely monitoring the situation. We’ll update this post once we have more information on these cyberattacks on Maldives Government websites and the group/individuals responsible for them.

As investigations into the attack continue, the Maldives government is expected to take steps to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent future incidents.

Media Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.

Source: https://bit.ly/3SafTFr