BSNL asks internet users to change password after malware attack

State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) on Thursday said it has advised users of its broadband service to change the default password after a section of its broadband system was hit by a malware attack earlier this week.

BSNL said the malware attack, which occured earlier this week, impacted nearly 2,000 broadband modems, where subscribers had not changed default password "admin".

A PTI report quoting BSNL chairman Anupam Shrivastava said the malware was changing the passwords of users (those who were using admin as password) and so the affected modems were unable to login.

He said the situation has been addressed to a great extent. ''We are advising customers that they should immediately change their passwords, and they should not be worried about using broadband once they have done that."

Shrivastava said BSNL call centres were proactively reaching out to users to alert them, and advise them about precautionary measures.

The malware, however, has not affected BSNL's core network, billing or any other system, he said.

Meanwhile, BSNL mobile subscribers will soon be able to piggyback on the network of private telecom player Vodafone in Delhi and Mumbai, besides MTNL.

The move will improve the coverage of BSNL's mobile network in these two areas where it doesn't offer services.

Currently, BSNL users automatically get connected to the network of another state-owned player MTNL.

Under the tie-up, users will have an option to connect to Vodafone network while MTNL will continue to be a default option.

BSNL is actively pursuing such arrangements to generate additional source of revenues through passive and active infrastructure sharing, Shrivastva said.