The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has identified 326 significant cyber threat indicators in Pakistan through dark web monitoring during the 2025-26 financial year. Website defacement emerged as the most frequently detected threat, accounting for more than half of the reported cases.
According to the PTA Cyber Security Annual Report 2025-26, the authority monitored cyber-related activities on dark web platforms between July 2025 and June 2026. The findings highlight several cybersecurity challenges facing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, including website attacks, data leaks and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) incidents.
Out of the 326 identified threat indicators, 174 were related to website defacement, representing approximately 53 percent of the total. This made website defacement the most common cyber threat identified during the reporting period.
Website defacement occurs when attackers gain unauthorized access to a website and modify its original appearance or content. Such incidents can damage an organization’s online reputation, disrupt public communication and raise questions about the security of its digital systems.
Data leaks represented the second-largest category in the PTA’s findings. The authority identified 87 indicators involving leaked information, accounting for around 27 percent of the total threats.
Data leaks can expose confidential information belonging to individuals, businesses and institutions. Depending on the nature of the compromised information, such incidents may create risks involving privacy violations, identity theft and unauthorized access to accounts or services.
The report also identified 41 indicators associated with Distributed Denial of Service attacks, commonly known as DDoS attacks. These incidents represented approximately 13 percent of the recorded cyber threats.
DDoS attacks involve overwhelming a website or online service with excessive traffic, making it difficult or impossible for legitimate users to access the platform. Such attacks can interrupt digital services and affect organizations that depend on continuous online availability.
The remaining 24 indicators, representing around seven percent of the total, involved the sale or advertisement of sensitive information on dark web forums and illegal online marketplaces.
These findings point to the different ways cybercriminals use underground digital platforms to distribute, advertise or trade potentially compromised information.
The PTA’s monitoring results highlight the importance of strengthening cybersecurity arrangements across Pakistan. Government departments, private companies and other organizations increasingly depend on digital systems, making website protection and information security essential.
Regular security assessments, timely software updates, stronger authentication systems and effective data protection policies can help organizations reduce their exposure to cyber threats.
The report also emphasizes the importance of monitoring suspicious online activity and improving awareness about digital security risks.
With 326 significant cyber threat indicators identified during the reporting period, the findings provide an overview of the cybersecurity challenges being monitored in Pakistan’s digital environment.