Instagram account of higher edu dept, Ravenshaw website hacked; later restored

Time of India

3 days ago

Bhubaneswar: The Instagram account of the higher education department and the website of Ravenshaw University were hacked on Monday, resulting in the posting of content unrelated to academic activities.
While the department ensured its social media account was quickly retrieved and the unauthorised posts were removed, the university website was compromised till afternoon.
An official statement from the department stated, "Immediate steps were taken to regain control of the Instagram account. The department successfully restored the account and removed the unrelated content."
In response to the breach, the department decided to take the matter seriously and filed an FIR at Saheed Nagar police station here to initiate a formal investigation.
Similarly, visitors to Ravenshaw's official website were being greeted with a page displaying 'HostGator', rather than the usual university-related content. "We took steps to retrieve the website and it is opening now," said Kanhu Charan Mallick, university registrar.
"These incidents highlight the growing threat of cyberattacks on educational institutes, emphasising the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Both the higher education department and Ravenshaw University are expected to enhance their digital security protocols to prevent future breaches," said a computer science professor of a state public university.
The hacking incidents have raised concerns among students and faculty, who rely on the digital platforms for important updates and information. "Authorities are urged to act swiftly to restore normalcy and ensure the security of their digital assets," said the professor.