Cyber ​​attacks on at least 300 banks in India

 It has been reported that this attack was carried out through a type of software called "ransomware." Last night, several banks in India fell victim to a cyberattack. Comparatively, smaller banks were affected by this attack. Initially, it has been learned that at least 300 banks in India were damaged by this attack. These banks provide services using C-edge technology. Cybercriminals launched an attack on C-edge technology through ransomware, disrupting the service process of these banks entirely.

India's 500 rupee notes. Symbolic image: DW

Although the Reserve Bank of India has not yet commented on this attack, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) disclosed this information in a statement on Wednesday.

Outside of major cities in India, there are at least 1,500 small and medium-sized banks in villages and semi-urban areas. These banks are identified as cooperative and regional banks. Many experts also refer to them as farmers' and laborers' banks. Generally, farmers and laborers keep their money in these types of banks in the villages. The money provided by the government is also deposited in these banks.

These banks were damaged in the cyberattack on Wednesday night. The software that was affected by this attack was primarily used for small-scale cash transactions. Experts have stated that upon realizing the cyberattack, the C-edge technology in those banks was immediately shut down, temporarily halting financial transactions in these banks. The cybercrime department had long feared that Indian banks could be subject to a cyberattack. All banks, large and small, had been warned about this. Following Wednesday's incident, large banks have been alerted anew.

However, it is still unclear who carried out this attack and why. It is also unclear whether any foreign entity is involved in this incident.