How tech hub Telangana is becoming a cybercrime hotspot? All you need to know

Telangana: A thriving IT sector and a significant presence of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) have made Hyderabad a prime target for cybercriminals. In 2023, Telangana reported the highest share of malware attacks in India, accounting for 15% of the country’s total, according to the latest India Cyber Threat Report.Cybercriminals, ranging from amateur OTP fraudsters from Jharkhand’s notorious Jamtara to sophisticated malware experts operating from high-end offices, have targeted Telangana. The report highlights that Telangana was closely followed by Tamil Nadu, which reported 14% of the attacks. Among cities, Hyderabad ranked third, trailing behind Surat and Bengaluru.

“These attacks have reached Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, such as Khammam and Adilabad, within Telangana. Recently, the server of a mid-sized IT company in a Tier 2 city was compromised after criminals accessed an employee’s laptop working remotely,” said the vice-president of a cybersecurity firm that has managed several high-profile cases.

He added that Telangana might top the list in 2024, given the surge in cyber crimes over the past six months.

“We have already recorded 55 attacks this year targeting IT giants, pharmaceutical companies, major banks, and data centres of manufacturing firms in Hyderabad. Some attacks are aimed at stealing intellectual property, focusing on large companies with extensive databases,” the cybersecurity expert told TOI.

While semi-skilled cybercriminals from Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh typically target individuals in Telangana, including Hyderabad, the entire state has become a hotspot for advanced cybercriminals using sophisticated malware.Inputs from TOI