No Internet For MTNL Users! Over 10K Consumers Affected by Malware

It is being said that only computers connected to Wi-Fi – and not mobile devices – were affected by the attack.

The internet service has been down for MTNL customers in Delhi since last week.

(Photo Courtesy: MTNL official logo)

State-owned internet provider Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) has been plagued by a malware attack leading to the disruption of internet services for many customers in the capital city of Delhi.

According to MTNL chairperson and managing director RK Purwar, as many as 10,000 customers have been affected.

The company took note of the attack only on Thursday, though the service has been down in Delhi since last week.

Regarding the issue, Purwar was quoted by The Hindu BusinessLine as saying:

A malware attack led to reconfiguration of all modems. Approximately 10,000 consumers have been hit due to the malfunction in a Taiwanese chipset.

As per reports, users of MTNL have been complaining of being redirected to malicious web-pages showing advertisements and pornography. The incidence of such happenings reached a high at the end of June.

However, it is being said that only computers connected to Wi-Fi – and not mobile devices – have been affected by the attack.

According to the company, the situation is "under control now", though it has not been able to trace the malware attack’s source.

The company has been taking various measures to address the grouses faced by the customers.

In this regard, an MTNL official was quoted by The Economic Times as saying:

We are confident that the issue will be rectified soon. The modem has to be reconfigured to manage the problem... We are also contacting subscribers on our own. Apart from this, we are replacing modems where there is a serious issue due to the malware.

On its Delhi website the company has also a provided modem guide for those not being able to access the internet.

The situation assumes more significance considering that MTNL is used in various government offices in Delhi, making official communication vulnerable.

Also Read: ‘Fireball’ Malware Infects 25 Mn PCs Globally, India ‘Worst Hit’