As the global cyber battlefield continues to evolve, India finds itself squarely in the crosshairs of a growing number of named threat actor groups. In 2025, at least 26 hacker and hacktivist collectives from well-known entities like RipperSec to emerging regional outfits such as Sylhet Gang and Team 73 have either launched attacks on Indian infrastructure or openly declared cyber hostilities.
The threat landscape reflects an increasing shift from traditional state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) to ideologically motivated, politically aligned, or financially incentivized hacktivist and cybercrime groups operating with alarming sophistication.
Hacktivism, Espionage, and Financial Crime: A Blended Threat
This year, cyber intelligence analysts flagged groups such as RipperSec, Keymous+, and AnonSec for their coordination in defacement campaigns and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks targeting Indian government portals. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Civilian Force and Mysterious Team Pakistan have intensified operations around sensitive national days and geopolitical flashpoints, often issuing warnings via Telegram channels and X (formerly Twitter).
Notably, groups like Arabian Ghosts, Islamic Hacker Army, and Arabian Hosts have expanded their focus from Middle Eastern conflicts to targeting Indian digital infrastructure, hinting at broader geopolitical alignments.
The Iranian-linked group Vulture, previously known for targeting Israel and Saudi Arabia, has reportedly shifted focus to South Asia — engaging in phishing campaigns and malware deployments aimed at Indian energy and logistics firms.
Domestic Threats Rise in Parallel
It’s not just external actors causing disruption. The emergence of Ghost Force (India), Cryptojackers of India, and Dex4o4points to a burgeoning ecosystem of domestic cyber actors, some operating independently and others mimicking international threat groups. While some Indian groups claim retaliatory motives, others are driven by profit, exploiting vulnerabilities in critical sectors for ransomware attacks or illicit crypto mining.
Indian Cyber Force, a group active since 2022, has resurfaced this year with claims of counter-attacks on Pakistani websites, echoing sentiments of cyber vigilantism. Experts warn, however, that such unofficial digital skirmishes risk escalating into uncontrolled cyber warfare.
Growing Networks and Dangerous Alliances
Reports from cybersecurity firms like Radware and Group-IB suggest that many of these groups are not working in isolation. Alliances both tactical and ideological are forming between actors such as Team Insane PK, Red Wolf Cyber, Team 73, and Cyber Dragon. These groups often share infrastructure, malware tools, and intelligence through private forums and dark web channels.
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“India’s cyber threat matrix is no longer confined to traditional actors. We’re witnessing a proliferation of named, ideologically diverse, and technically skilled groups attacking both public and private infrastructure,” said an analyst from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN), requesting anonymity.
India’s Response and the Road Ahead
To counter the surge in threat actors, Indian agencies have increased collaborations with international cybersecurity firms and intelligence alliances. However, experts emphasize the need for rapid capacity building, cyber hygiene awareness, and stricter cybercrime legislation enforcement.