The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday raised concerns over a potential cyber security breach after numerous employees reported receiving suspicious emails from unidentified senders, media reports said.<\/p>\n
In response to the alarming development, the ECP swiftly issued a cyber security alert cautioning its officials against opening any such emails, suspecting a ransomware attack aimed at unauthorised data acquisition, Samaa TV reported.<\/p>\n
A statement released by the Commission urgently called on all employees to exercise extreme caution, advising them to disregard and report any emails from unknown or anonymous sources, the report said.<\/p>\n
The message explicitly labeled the emails as potential ransomware threats that may lead to the unauthorized extraction of valuable information.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the electoral watchdog has also urged political parties, candidates, and relevant stakeholders to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their digital infrastructure from potential cyber-attacks, Samaa TV reported.<\/p>\n
As the country gears up for the upcoming general elections, the Commission has emphasised the significance of collective efforts to combat cyber threats and maintain the trust of the electorate.<\/p>\n
The letter dated July 6, titled \u201cCyber Security Alert\u201d and written by ECP information security specialist Naveed Ahmed Kandhir shared a screengrab of an email sent to an ECP official that asked the recipient to open an attached RAR file titled \u201cCabinet\u201d, Dawn reported.<\/p>\n
Referring to the said email, the ECP said that \u201csomeone is [\u2026] sending the email to all\u201d the ECP officials.<\/p>\n
The electoral body said it was a \u201cransomware attack and trying to steal the information\u201d, and asked its employees to not open the said email, ignore it and report it as spam.<\/p>\n
The alleged phishing email — sent to an ECP employee — informed the recipient about a letter, dated July 5, that was attached to the email, Dawn reported.<\/p>\n
In January this year, Power Minister Khurram Dastgir had said a \u201ccyberattack on the national grid cannot be ruled out\u201d when detailing the inquiry progress on a countrywide power outgae earlier that month, Dawn reported.<\/p>\n