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Cyber crime: PGI head's email hacked

Date: May 05, 2008
Source: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com


CHANDIGARH: After Panjab University's former vice-chancellor K N Pathak became a victim of email hacking, PGI director and Padmashree K K Talwar has been similarly targeted by cyber criminals.

In both cases, the content and message centres were the same. An email generated in Nigeria, using Talwar’s email ID said he was in Nigeria and in dire need of money.

Cops said the mail was sent to those on Talwar's friends' list and the crime came to light when a friend from the US called up Talwar's home. "I immediately went to check my email and discovered that the password had been changed," said Talwar.

A fortnight ago, a similar case was registered by Pathak with the police but was withdrawn because the former V-C reportedly didn't want to pursue the case.

Revealing that Talwar's password was alpha-numeric and consisted special characters, SI Hardit Singh of cyber cell said, "We have asked the website's legal department to give details along with IP address of the user's ID."

Cyber cell officials warn people against giving out username and password on any website. "Change the password at regular intervals. Moreover, try and have an alpha numeric password along with special characters," suggest officials.

As part of the damage control exercise, an official communication from PGI said, "A fictitious mail has been sent to all addressees in Dr K K Talwar's inbox.... Whosoever has received such a mail from this email ID should ignore it."


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