Another Indonesian Government Website Falls Victim to Hackers

A government website has been defaced by a hacker or group identifying as “skk.”

The targeted site, belonging to Trenggalek Regency, now displays unauthorized content, marking the latest in a string of cyberattacks on Indonesian government infrastructure.

The defacement can be viewed at: hxxps://asik[.]trenggalekkab[.]go[.]id/media/berkas/62a16b988e124238b08972ee921230ca.htm.

The Rise of Website Defacements in Indonesia

Website defacement is a type of cyberattack where hackers alter the visual appearance or content of a website, often to spread messages or showcase hacking prowess.

These attacks typically exploit vulnerabilities in web servers, content management systems (CMS), or through techniques like SQL injection and brute force attacks.

In this case, the hacker left their signature, “skk,” indicating either personal notoriety or affiliation with a hacking team.

Indonesia has witnessed a surge in such incidents over the past few years.

In December 2024 alone, over 50 websites were defaced by hackers from within the country.

These attacks frequently target government and corporate websites due to their high visibility and symbolic value.

Motivations Behind Defacements

Defacers often act as “hacktivists,” using their skills to make political statements or criticize governmental policies.

However, not all defacements are politically motivated. Some are acts of cyber vandalism or competitions among hackers to demonstrate technical skills.

Regardless of intent, these incidents erode public trust and tarnish the image of affected organizations.

In this instance, there is no clear evidence linking “skk” to hacktivist activities.

The attack could be opportunistic, exploiting weak cybersecurity measures on the Trenggalek Regency’s website.

Indonesia’s Broader Cybersecurity Challenges

This latest defacement comes on the heels of more severe cyberattacks targeting Indonesia’s critical infrastructure.

In June 2024, the national data center (Pusat Data Nasional) was crippled by a ransomware attack attributed to the LockBit 3.0 group.

The attack disrupted services for over 200 government agencies, including immigration systems at airports.

Hackers demanded an $8 million ransom for decryption keys, though the government refused to pay.

Cybersecurity experts have long warned about Indonesia’s inadequate defenses against such threats.

Pratama Persadha, chairman of the Cybersecurity Research Institute, described these incidents as evidence of poor cyberinfrastructure management and insufficient investment in robust security protocols.

Technical Weaknesses Exploited

Common vulnerabilities exploited in website defacements include:

• SQL Injection: Attackers insert malicious SQL commands into input fields to manipulate backend databases.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Malicious JavaScript is injected into web pages to steal user data or hijack sessions.
• Weak Passwords: Brute force attacks exploit predictable login credentials to gain unauthorized access.
• Unpatched Systems: Outdated software leaves websites susceptible to known exploits.

Mitigation and Recovery Measures

To prevent future incidents, experts recommend:

1. Regularly updating and patching software on web servers and CMS platforms.
2. Implementing strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
3. Conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify weak points.
4. Maintaining secure backups to restore services quickly after an attack.

In response to this latest defacement, cybersecurity professionals urge Indonesian authorities to prioritize digital security reforms across all levels of government.

The defacement of Trenggalek Regency’s website underscores Indonesia’s growing cybersecurity crisis.

As hackers continue targeting government platforms with increasing frequency, it is imperative for authorities to strengthen defenses against both opportunistic and sophisticated cyber threats.

Without significant improvements in cybersecurity infrastructure and practices, such incidents will likely persist—posing risks not only to digital assets but also public trust in government institutions.

Also Read:

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share