On the evening of Sunday, March 9, several official Moroccan websites became completely inaccessible, displaying signs of a possible cyberattack. Users who attempted to visit these sites on Google encountered links showing Chinese characters, a strong indication of a website compromise. Among the affected websites was the National Commission for the Control of the Protection of Personal Data. While one link directed users to the site’s home page after a lengthy delay, another led to an unreadable page filled with illegible symbols, which made it impossible to access any meaningful content.
The disruption also affected other sites like the ENCG of Kenitra, which displayed a significant security warning.
The warning cautioned users that the site’s security certificate had likely expired, potentially exposing visitors to hackers who could steal sensitive information, including passwords, emails, or credit card details. This incident mirrored issues seen on the official website of the international center for artificial intelligence in Morocco. The site, which is associated with the UM6P institution, was also filled with incomprehensible characters and was rendered completely inaccessible, leading to a 404 error page stating that the requested URL was not found on the server.
These cyberattacks highlight the growing vulnerability of Morocco’s online infrastructure.
The country has become a frequent target of cybercriminals, raising concerns about the safety of both public institutions and personal data. In addition to the March 9 attacks, Morocco has faced several other incidents in the past, including an attack on the Maroc Hebdo website in November 2023 and another on the national news agency’s website in February 2023. These repeated breaches demonstrate the increasing threat faced by both private and public organizations in Morocco.
Furthermore, Morocco’s placement in the Top 25 countries most vulnerable to cyberattacks underlines the urgency of bolstering national cybersecurity defenses. As the world becomes increasingly digital, nations like Morocco must adopt more robust security measures to safeguard their critical infrastructure. The ongoing cyber threats serve as a reminder of the need for heightened vigilance and more comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to protect against future incidents that could jeopardize both national security and the privacy of its citizens.
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