A Cyber Security Alert has been issued as Hackers intensify their Attacks in Pakistan

Pakistan’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) has issued a high-priority cyber security alert, warning of a surge in malicious online activities targeting individuals, businesses, and government platforms.

According to CERT, cyber criminals are exploiting high-traffic periods and upcoming events to launch phishing scams, set up fake websites, distribute malware, and infiltrate networks. The threat level has risen significantly due to both higher online engagement and increasingly advanced attacker tactics.

The advisory warns that successful cyber attacks could cause severe damage, including financial losses through fake e-commerce deals or donation drives, data theft, malware infections, service disruptions, and reputational harm. Poorly segmented networks and outdated systems are particularly vulnerable to attackers moving laterally across connected services.

Key attack methods include phishing emails, fraudulent websites, malicious downloads, and unsafe public Wi-Fi. Hackers often use fake offers, charity appeals, event invitations, and themed apps or wallpapers to lure victims — sometimes requiring just a single click to cause significant harm.

CERT has urged individuals to enable multi-factor authentication, keep devices updated, avoid public Wi-Fi without a VPN, and use strong, unique passwords. Organizations are advised to patch systems promptly, secure content management systems, deploy web application firewalls, segment networks, limit remote access, and maintain continuous monitoring.

The agency stressed that awareness, prevention, and timely incident reporting are crucial to protecting Pakistan’s digital infrastructure against growing cyber threats.