Why Indian Govt blocked hacking archive website
By Sathish

AP-based E2 Labs describes itself as a “Top 100 private company in Asia (RED-HERRING), one among the fastest growing Information Security companies and 1st in Asia to start The School of Ethical Hacking in Hyderabad”.  By all accounts, it does a good job. E2 also says it works closely with India’s security body CERT.

The Government of India has set up the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to tackle all security incidents.  It also has the power to ban any websites. Acting on instructions, CERT banned porn cartoon site Savitha Bhabhi.

The Hyderabad based E2 Labs website talks about working towards a ‘high morality’ in the cyber world and its commitment to provide comprehensive security solutions to its clients. The E2B Labs website says: “We are proud and honored to be part of the security community and spreading awareness on Anti-Hacking and Information Security programmes as a result of which we do get attacked around 100 to 200 times a month.”

Europe-based Zone-h.org is a Defacement archive of all websites that are hacked.  Over the years, it has garnered respect and credibility as a meeting point of many security experts. Zone-h.org founder Roberto Preatoni is a valued guest at many security forums and computer conferences.

Some where along the line, there were differences between these two highly regarded security firms.  E2 Labs moved a court in Andhra Pradesh to get Zone-h banned in India. Now, Zone-h has been blocked from any computer in India trying to access it. Only CERT can block websites being accessed from India.

Highly regarded Indian Cyber and legal expert Naavi is reporting:

“
In this fight, readers may wonder where is the scope for blocking of Zone-h.org website because it carries a potentially defamatory article on E2 labs. So far except when political leaders such as Sonia Gandhi or community icons such as Shivaji have been defamed, Government has not taken any action to block the websites. In fact the Government has developed cold feet even in blocking of kirtu.com. It is therefore surprising that potential defamation of E2 labs is considered sufficient ground to block a respected website such as zone-h.org.

In information just received, it appears that CERT In was not instrumental in the blocking of the website but the same was ordered through a Court action in Hyderabad.

One option available for Zone-h.org now is to request for reconsideration of the Court decision which should have been restricted to removing of the contentious article alone instead of blocking of the website.
“

The picture will become clearer in the next few days. Why was Zone-h not sued for defamation?  Was any notice given to Zone-h to give its side of the story before it was blocked in India? Can any court in India order CERT to block any American and European website?

At his point in time you need to use a proxy server to access Zone-h.org from India.