Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account hacked: IP address tracked to Scandinavian country

Police also sought details from the microblogging site and also the Congress server to identify the culprits.

Updated: December 2, 2016 5:36 AM IST

By Nithya Nair

Rahul Gandhi's Twitter account hacked: IP address tracked to Scandinavian country

New Delhi, Dec 2: Delhi Police on Thursday filed two FIRs in connection to the hacking of the two Twitter handles, the Congress party website and the party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi. Police also sought details from the microblogging site and also the Congress server to identify the culprits.

As per a Times of India report, although preliminary investigations directed that the hackers could be based in Bengaluru, further probe suggested that the miscreants were not located in the country. IP address they used was found to be in Norway or Sweden. Reportedly, police suspect the Rahul Gandhi’s account might have been accessed from a device without updated anti-virus software. Delhi Police also suspect that it could have been done from a compromised IP address. Hackers could also have used multiple devices to make tracking difficult. (ALSO READ: Hacking of Rahul Gandhi, Congress’s twitter accounts; Police seek log)

Police suspect that both the accounts were accessed from a computer system on which a malware existed. The modus operandi is called “spear phising” where that particular software is used for hacking purposes. For a detailed probe into the incident, a cyber security team under DCP Anyesh Roy has been formed. Police has also sent a request to Twitter to access information that the hackers had used to create their Twitter profile.

On Thursday, Congress Chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala filed two complaints with the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police on the hacking of the two Twitter accounts. Obscene remarks were put out for around an hour after it was hacked last night. Today, Gandhi’s email account was also hacked, the party claimed. (ALSO READ- Hacking of Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter: Congress targets Centre over poor digital safety)

Attacking Modi for the lack of cyber security in the country, Rahul on Thursday tweeted, “Cyber attacks on @INCIndia and @OfficeOfRG exposes the vulnerability of cyber security and Digital platforms in India. An eye opener for Modiji!” He had earlier tweeted, “To every one of you haters out there. I love all of you. You’re beautiful. Your hatred just doesn’t let you see it yet.” Congress later tweeted, “Hello everyone! We are back. The tweets in the morning lacked wit, evidently. Anyway, Mr Modi, back to people’s questions, care to answer?”

Meanwhile, PTI reported that sources at Twitter said there was no security breach at their end. They also added that the company was contacted by Congress in the matter but haven’t had any discussions about the same with the government.

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