The website of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (www.bsnl.co.in) was hacked on 4^th December, 2011 by the ‘H4tr!ck’ hacker group. In addition, during the period December, 2011 to February, 2012 a total no. of 112 Government websites were hacked. These hacked websites belonged to the agencies in the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur:  Agencies of Ministry of Finance, Health, Planning Commission and Human Resource Development.

According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) the numbers of internet frauds involving Rs 1 lakh and above have declined over the last three years from 269 cases in the calendar year 2009 to 125 cases in the calendar year 2011. However, after taking into account the internet frauds wherein the amount involved in individual cases is less than Rs. 1.00 lakh, the total number of internet frauds were 864 numbers involving Rs. 824.05 lakh, 2232 cases involving Rs 1234.94 lakh and 1798 cases involving Rs.787.39 lakh for the calendar year 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. The state wise and year wise data is available only in respect of those internet fraud cases where amount involved in individual case is Rs. 1.00 lakh or more. 

Central Bureau of Investigation has also registered cases pertaining to Financial frauds under the provisions of Information Technology Act, 2000 along with other acts.  These are:

The Government has taken several steps for prevention of Cyber attacks and financial frauds through internet and mobile phones in the country.  These are:

       i.     Legal Framework in the form of Information Technology Act, 2000. The Act provides legal framework to address the issues connected with phishing, hacking and security breaches of information technology infrastructure.

     ii.     Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a circular to all commercial banks on phishing attacks and minimum set of preventive /detective measures to tackle phishing attacks.

    iii.     Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised banks to leverage technology to support business processes and implement all stipulations outlined by RBI from time to time.  Banks are also advised to ensure implementation of basic organizational frame work and put in place, policy and procedure to prevent financial frauds through Internet. These guidelines are expected to enhance safety, security, efficiency in banking processes leading to benefits for the bank and the customers. 

   iv.     Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had issued circular dated 1^st July, 2011 on credit card operations by banks.  The banks have been advised to set up internal control system to combat frauds and to take pro-active fraud control and enforcement measures.  The banks are required to fulfill ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’ requirements.

     v.     The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issues alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber threats and countermeasures on regular basis.

   vi.     CERT-In is providing incident response service for handling of phishing attacks affecting the banks in the country.

This information was given in Lok Sabha today by Shri Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State,                Communication and Information Technology in response to a question.

******

BK/AT