Security beef-up after threat by Anonymous Malaysia
BY NICHOLAS CHENG
THE STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Security at the information networks of 10 vital public sector agencies have been ordered to be tightened after hacktivist group Anonymous Malaysia threatened to launch an "all-out Internet war" against the Government.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Madius Tangau said security specialists CyberSecurity Malaysia and Mimos Bhd were taking proactive measures.
The measures include looking for and plugging system loopholes, providing technical support to the agencies and running drills that would help prepare for hacking attacks.
He said Mimos, as the national ICT (information and communications technology) research and development agency, would provide advanced security technologies.
The ministry had also told the agencies to upgrade their software and ensure that the security patches for their computer systems were up-to-date, he said in a statement.
Among the 10 are agencies for defence and security; banking and finance; information and communications; energy; water; transportation; health and emergency services; as well as food and agriculture.
"If they take control of the network at any one of these agencies, it can affect the running of the country," said a source at the ministry.
The source said the Government was prepared for any eventuality.
"We always plan for the worst and have regular crisis simulation drills," said the source.
Anonymous Malaysia posted an eight-minute video on its Facebook page on Aug 4, calling for the resignation of the Prime Minister over recent issues.
The group threatened to wage an "all-out Internet warfare" on the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and 150 websites that it has "strategically selected".
It said the day-long cyber attacks would begin on Aug 29 to coincide with the Bersih 4.0 demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur over alleged corruption.
Anonymous Threatens to Launch Internet Warfare against The Malaysian Government on August 29, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10, 2015:
An eight-minute video posted by hacktivist group Anonymous Malaysia, threatening the Malaysian government and the Prime Minister has been removed.
Apart from the government and Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the video which was posted on August 4, on the group’s official Facebook Page, showcased the group also declaring an “all-out Internet warfare” towards the Malaysian Anti-corruption Commission (MACC), police , along with another 150 web portals that the group “strategically” selected.
“Today we are confronting you, Datuk Seri Haji Mohammad Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak to declare a duel and challenge,” said the figure wearing the signature Guy Fawkes mask — which has become synonyms with the hacker movement — in a synthesised voice.
The group warned that the cyber attack would be carried out during the Bersih 4.0 demonstrations on August 29 till August 30 from 6PM to 5PM.
“These will be the invading base of our internet warfare.
“We are also calling for International Anonymous to join us, as to give a hand to all Malaysians to show our internet warfare,” the video stated.
Calling on the Prime Minister to resign, the group lashed out on the recent developments within the country.
The hackers claimed that the Najib’s administration has brought the country on a downward spiral and blamed him for the current downfall in economy as well as increased corruption.
The group stated the premier had failed to respond to allegations made against 1Malaysia Development Bhd , as well as perpetrating several other incidents that have occurred over the past few months including the riot in Plaza Low Yat and the fire at the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters.
Inviting all Malaysians to participate in the assault, the video signed off in the eerie and intimidating style of the internationally renowned hacktivist group, “Anonymous”.
The video was shared on Facebook by a group called Tabik Polis. It was shared 51 times.
