CERT Issues High Alert Over Rising Cybersecurity Threats in Pakistan
The National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) has issued a high-priority cybersecurity alert after detecting a surge in malicious online activities targeting individuals, businesses, and government systems.
According to the advisory, cybercriminals are exploiting busy online periods and upcoming events to launch phishing scams, create fake websites, spread malware, and attempt unauthorized access to networks. This rise in threats is linked to increased online engagement combined with more advanced hacking tactics, significantly raising the overall risk level.
Potential Risks for Users and Organizations
CERT has warned that successful cyberattacks can cause serious damage, including:
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Financial losses from fake e-commerce stores and fraudulent donation campaigns.
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Theft of sensitive data from both individuals and companies.
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Malware infections leading to disrupted services.
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Reputation damage through website defacement or data leaks.
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Widespread compromise of connected systems if outdated software and weak network segmentation are exploited.
Common Cyberattack Methods
The alert highlights the most common attack vectors being used:
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Phishing emails designed to trick users into revealing personal information.
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Fake websites imitating legitimate portals.
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Malicious downloads disguised as apps, wallpapers, or event-related content.
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Unsafe public Wi-Fi networks used for stealing credentials.
Cybercriminals often lure victims with fake offers, charity appeals, or event invitations, requiring minimal interaction—just clicking a link or entering a password—to cause major breaches.
CERT’s Recommended Safety Measures
For Individual Users:
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Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts.
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Regularly update devices and software.
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Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive work without a VPN.
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Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
For Organizations:
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Patch and secure content management systems (CMS).
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Deploy web application firewalls (WAF).
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Segment networks to limit potential breaches.
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Restrict remote access to essential users only.
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Monitor systems continuously for unusual activity.
Stay Alert and Report Incidents
CERT is urging immediate action to patch systems, activate MFA, maintain offline backups, and strengthen detection capabilities. The agency emphasizes that awareness and quick response remain the best defense against cyber threats.
Citizens and organizations are encouraged to report suspicious activities promptly via the official CERT portal to help safeguard Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.
