Yesterday, Tanzania faced a cyber incident when several official social media accounts belonging to government institutions were hacked.
However, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, has reassured the public that the situation is now under control.
Speaking about the breach, Minister Silaa clarified that the hackers targeted only the social media accounts, not the internal computer systems or sensitive databases of the affected institutions. “The attack was limited to social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and possibly Instagram,” he explained. “No government systems or confidential information were compromised.”
Authorities swiftly took action to regain control over the affected accounts. The Minister emphasized that all accounts have been secured and measures are underway to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident highlights the growing challenges governments worldwide face in protecting their digital presence against increasing cyber threats. With official social media accounts often serving as the frontline of public communication, securing these channels is vital for maintaining public trust and delivering timely information.
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The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is collaborating with cybersecurity experts to investigate the attack’s origin and bolster defenses. They have also urged all government personnel and citizens to stay alert to potential phishing attempts or suspicious activity online.
In recent years, cyberattacks targeting public institutions have increased globally, underscoring the importance of strong cybersecurity frameworks and continuous digital vigilance. These attacks are part of broader information security challenges faced by governments and organizations everywhere.
The government remains committed to safeguarding digital infrastructure and educating users on secure practices to protect Tanzania’s online platforms moving forward. Citizens are encouraged to follow official channels and report any suspicious content to relevant authorities promptly.