Ministry concludes probe into hack attack on HPA website, forwards case to police

Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal has revealed that the ministry has completed the investigation into the hackers' attack on the Health Protection Agency (HPA)’s website and forwarded their findings to the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

Speaking during Sunday’s online sitting of the People’s Majlis, the minister noted that the action was carried out through an IP address in the Maldives.

After investigating the matter, the ministry has forwarded the case at the police, said the minister.

Maleeh noted that a thorough investigation must be carried out and culprits must be punished as the act is unacceptable. He noted that the ministry’s security team had identified that the hacker did not acquire confidential information through the HPA site.

Stressing that the ministry’s security team is rather small, Maleeh added that the Finance Ministry has since given them permission to acquire a monitoring stack to strengthen their security team. The communications ministry is currently working to procure the monitoring stack.

Further, he noted that several state institutions have been informed of their vulnerabilities related to internet usage. The ministry is currently working to control and monitor these issues.

Earlier, condemning the attack, Maleeh had stated that hacking into the HPA website is an act of cowardice during this challenging time.

On May 3, hackers claiming to be part hacktivist group "Anonymous", hacked into the HPA website and left a warning to the government.

The hackers left a video clip on the website, criticizing the government’s precautionary measures implemented against the Covid-19 pandemic and accused the incumbent administration of no longer being “free to make decisions based on what is right for its people”.

A threatening message for President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, warning to “attack your networks intrude your privacy, leak your confidential documents, these attacks will continue as long as we see no change to your plans”, was also left in the video.

The hackers demanded “real change” and stated that they will resist to the point government networks and financial infrastructure will be “crippled and your staff turned to pen and paper”.

Simple demands such as standing up for what is right, provide relief for the people as well as free internet and end the suffering of the people by lowering rents and utility bills were mentioned. The government has been warned to end oppressive foreign policies as well.

Police are investigating the incident.

The authenticity of the video is yet to be determined.