Warning issued as hackers at work to steal data

ISLAMABAD: The accounts and login passwords of users of Microsoft are at risk, as they have been warned of cyber attacks to steal sensitive data.

According to the advisory issued by National Cyber Emergency Response Team under Cabinet Division, there is a risk of cyber attacks to access the network through Microsoft Windows systems. Hackers can access networks and sensitive information, it says. Hackers do not even need to open any file to gain access, while Microsoft has not yet released an official solution for the problem. The advisory says access to login passwords and networks can lead to control of entire system. It can affect all Windows versions—Windows 7 to 11—and Windows Server 2022, it adds. The advisory recommends a dual security system and network strengthening, saying specific information can be protected with a firewall and virtual local area network. The advisory asks users not to open suspicious files via USB, email attachments and shared folders.