# MA-798.122020: MyCERT Alert - Mass Web Defacement

**Date:** 31 Dec 2020  
**Source:** https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisory?id=MA-798.122020  
**Advisory ID:** MA-798.122020

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**1.0 Introduction**
MyCERT received reports regarding mass web defacements of Malaysian websites, which had increased since 29th December 2020. Most of the defaced websites were left with hatred and dissatisfaction messages to Malaysia. Therefore, as a preventive measure, MyCERT released this alert to advise System Administrators to take necessary steps to secure their systems against unwanted incidents as well from other security threats.
**2.0 Recommendations**
Listed below are some recommendations for System Administrators as preventive measures and mitigation steps against these attacks: 
1. Organizations are recommended to apply defense in depth strategy in protecting their networks. Firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), network and host-based intrusion detection systems (IDS) can prevent and log most of the generic attacks.  Make sure systems, applications and third-party add-ons are updated with latest upgrades and security patches.
2. If you're running older versions of operating systems or software, make sure they are upgraded to the latest versions as older versions may have some vulnerability that can be manipulated by intruders. Aside from that, please make sure that your web-based applications and network-based appliances are patched accordingly.
3. Make sure Anti-virus software that are running on hosts and email gateways are updated with the latest signature files and are enabled to scan all files.
4. Make sure that your systems are configured properly in order to avoid incidents such as information disclosure, directory listing that are caused by system misconfiguration.
5. Make sure loggings of systems and servers are always enabled. System Administrators are advised to read and monitor the logs on daily basis.
6. Perform regular backups of all critical information to limit the impact of data or system loss and to help expedite the recovery process. Ideally, the backup must be done daily, on a separate media and stored offline at an alternate site.
7. Organizations are recommended to regularly conduct vulnerability assessment and penetration testing on their systems.
8. Report security incidents to relevant authorities or to CERTs/CSIRTs in your constituency for immediate remediation and mitigations.
MyCERT had released several Alerts and Advisories on current threats and vulnerabilities this year. System Administrators and Internet users must be aware of these threats and vulnerabilities by applying necessary patches and updates.
The Alerts and Advisories are available at:
https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisories?id=431fab9c-d24c-4a27-ba93-e92edafdefa5
Generally, MyCERT advises the users of this devices to be updated with the latest security announcements by the vendor and follow best practice security policies to determine which updates should be applied.
For further enquiries, please contact MyCERT through the following channels:
E-mail: cyber999[at]cybersecurity.my
Phone: 1-300-88-2999 (monitored during business hours)
Fax: +603 - 8008 7000 (Office Hours)
Mobile: +60 19 2665850 (24x7 call incident reporting)
SMS: CYBER999 REPORT EMAIL COMPLAINT to 15888
Business Hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 -18:00 MYT
Web: <https://www.mycert.org.my>
Twitter: <https://twitter.com/mycert>
Facebook: <https://www.facebook.com/mycert.org.my>