The TTD Information Technology (IT) wing in coordination with the TCS has averted the cyber attack on computers belonging to Tirumala shrine. Hackers have sent the WannaCry ransomware virus into the computers belonging to some TTD departments other than pilgrim services related computers. According to delayed reports, few department officials have informed the TTD IT wing on Friday evening about malware attack on their computers.
Immediately, the IT officials have delinked affected computers from TTD’s Local Area Network (LAN) and blocked the internet operations in other computers which are not affected. The IT wing has identified 20 computers came under cyber attack. It is learnt that those computers are operating by pirated Windows operating system without knowledge of the IT wing.
Higher officials have strictly warned all the heads of the departments to stop the usage of pirated software, external pen drives and other devices in their respective computers up to further instructions.
In TTD, more than 2,000 computers are used for various purposes like Srivari Arjitha tickets booking, online reservation for rooms, Rs 300 special darshan, e-hundi and e-auction. Also, computers are being used in more than 12 donation collecting trusts and other key departments. Recently, the TTD introduced e-passbook system for donors. If computer network of the TTD is hacked then it creates adverse impact on pilgrim facilities. In this context, cyber security has been playing vital role in day-to-day activities of the TTD.
Speaking to The Hans India, a senior official from the IT department said that the TTD computer network maintains foolproof and high-end security features. “We have alerted the TTD’s IT consultant TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) after we came to know about cyber attack,” he added. He stated that the TCS gave some security tips for safeguarding the TTD data after cross-checking and monitoring network and online activity.
According to sources, the TCS has been maintaining two high security firewalls to protect the TTD computer network from cyber attacks. The anti malware software scans mail or data received from outside networks. At present, the TCS is checking every message which is coming to the TTD through internet.