Police website hacked
when vulnerabilities in software are released on the web, automated, non-targeted attacks typically follow. “They are not sophisticated and more akin to ripping a poster down than doing actual damage,” Femerstrand said.
However, he said the vulnerability was easy to exploit and could be used to more serious ends, such as accessing and copying data on the website’s server. The National Police server also hosts several other government websites, including the Education Ministry and Press and Quick Reaction Unit.
However as the police followed “best security practices” by keeping sensitive data separate from websites, the attack was more “annoying” than harmful, Femerstrand added.
Cambodian state websites have suffered multiple hacking attacks in recent years, with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s website and the Cambodian Navy among several hacked last year, and several ministry sites targeted in 2013 by Anonymous Cambodia following the disputed national election.
Social media and email accounts of government and political figures have also been compromised. In May, an unknown perpetrator hijacked the Ministry of Justice Facebook account and shared posts of opposition party campaign events prior to June’s commune election.
More recently, anonymous attackers gained access to the Cambodia National Rescue Party’s Facebook account, while several senior members of the party have complained of their email accounts being hacked.
Chea said the police would update their software and security measures. “For the future, we are looking for a way to prevent it,” he said.