Cyber Attack on HPU Shimla: University Website Hacked, URL Diverted

Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla, fell victim to a major cyber attack on July 22, 2025, compromising its official website (hpuniv.ac.in). The hackers diverted the URL to a fraudulent page, disrupting online academic services and raising concerns over data security of students and faculty. The university has initiated an investigation with state cybercrime authorities, while students face delays in accessing exam results and admission portals.

This blog covers:
Details of the Cyber Attack
Impact on Students & University Operations
Official Response & Investigation Status
How to Stay Safe from Phishing Attacks
Past Cyber Attacks on Indian Universities

HPU Shimla Cyber Attack: Key Details

Aspect	Details
Date of Attack	July 22, 2025 (10:15 AM IST)
Attack Type	Phishing + URL Redirection
Affected Website	hpuniv.ac.in (temporarily suspended)
Hacker’s Motive	Data theft, ransom demand (under investigation)
Investigation Team	HP Cyber Crime Police + CERT-In

How the Attack Unfolded

1. Website Defacement & URL Diversion

Users accessing HPU’s website were redirected to a fake login page with a “Database Hacked” message.
A ransom note in broken English demanded 5 Bitcoin (~₹2.5 crore) for data recovery.

2. Disrupted University Services

Exam result declarations (July 2025 session) delayed.
Online admissions portal temporarily shut down.
Faculty emails compromised (phishing alerts issued).

3. Student Data at Risk?

No confirmed breach yet, but hackers may have accessed:
- Student roll numbers
- Fee payment details
- Faculty research papers

Official Response & Investigation Updates

1. HPU Administration’s Statement

“The website is under maintenance. Students should avoid clicking suspicious links.” – Registrar, HPU Shimla (July 22, 2025).
Alternative portal launched for exam results: hpunivbackup.ac.in.

2. Cyber Police Findings (Preliminary)

Attack originated from a foreign IP (likely Russia-based hacker group).
SQL injection vulnerability exploited in the website’s backend.

3. CERT-In Advisory

Recommends two-factor authentication (2FA) for all university logins.
Warns of follow-up phishing emails targeting students.

How to Stay Safe from Cyber Attacks

For Students & Faculty

✔ Do NOT click on links from unofficial emails/SMS.
✔ Verify URLs before entering login credentials.
✔ Use strong passwords (mix of letters, numbers, symbols).

For Universities

✔ Regular security audits of websites.
✔ Backup critical data offline.
✔ Train staff in identifying phishing attempts.

Past Cyber Attacks on Indian Universities

University	Year	Attack Type	Impact
Delhi University (DU)	2023	Ransomware	200K+ student records leaked
JNU	2024	DDoS Attack	Website down for 72 hours
Anna University	2022	Phishing	₹1.2 crore stolen from fee accounts

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Academic Cybersecurity

The HPU Shimla cyber attack highlights the growing vulnerability of Indian universities to hacking. While investigations continue, students must remain vigilant against phishing scams.

Key Takeaways:
✔ HPU website remains suspended; use backup portals.
✔ No evidence of data leak yet – but caution advised.
✔ Universities must prioritize cybersecurity to prevent future breaches.

#HPUShimla #CyberAttack #Phishing #DataBreach #CyberSafety

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Sourashis Chanda

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Sourashis Chanda brings readers their unique perspective on Business, Economy, Health and Fitness. With a background in Health and Physical Fitness of 2years, I am dedicated to exploring [what they aim to achieve with their writing, on the sustainable Economy of the country, various pro tips about business, latest goverment news, with some tips in health are and Fitness.