Shocking Statement from Hackers, Promising Free Encryption Keys on Wednesday

Jakarta, INTI – In a surprising announcement, the group of hackers responsible for attacking Indonesia's digital infrastructure has declared that they will provide encryption keys for free on Wednesday. This statement comes after a major cyberattack that affected various public services in Indonesia.

Statement from the Hackers

In a message delivered through their Twitter account, @stealhtmole_int, the hacker group stated that their attack was not politically motivated but rather a penetration test (pentest) with post-event payment. They emphasized that the main goal of the attack was to highlight the importance of funding the industry and recruiting qualified specialists.

"We want to make a public statement. This Wednesday, we'll give you the keys for free. We hope that our attack made it clear to you how important it is to finance the industry and recruit qualified specialists. Our attack did not carry a political context, only a pentest with post-payment," the statement read.

Apology and Donation Request

The hacker group also extended their apologies to all Indonesians affected by the attack. They requested public appreciation and confirmation that they consciously and independently made this decision.

"Citizens of Indonesia, we apologize for the fact that it affected everyone. We also ask for public gratitude and confirmation that we have consciously and independently made such a decision. If the government representation considers it wrong to thank the hacker, you can do it privately at the post office."

Additionally, they provided a Monero wallet for donations, hoping to receive something in return for the encryption keys, which they promise to provide for free.

Implications and Next Steps

This incident raises many questions about cybersecurity in Indonesia. The attack serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strengthening cyber defenses, particularly for critical infrastructure related to public services. According to a recent report from Cybersecurity Ventures, the global cost of ransomware damage is projected to reach $20 billion by 2024.

The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo), is expected to take necessary measures to improve cybersecurity systems and prevent similar incidents in the future. Collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and cybersecurity community are essential to address these increasingly complex threats.

Latest Statistical Data

Based on data from IBM Security X-Force, the healthcare, manufacturing, and government sectors were the primary targets of ransomware attacks in 2023. Cyberattacks in Indonesia have significantly increased in recent years, with reports from the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) indicating over 200 million detected cyberattack attempts in 2023.

Conclusion

The cyberattack by this hacker group highlights the critical need for investment in cybersecurity and the recruitment of qualified specialists. The public and government must be vigilant and proactive in enhancing digital defense systems to protect the country's crucial data and infrastructure. With the right measures, Indonesia can strengthen its resilience against future cyber threats.

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