An investigation is under way to establish how a section of the Department of Transport’s controversial eNatis vehicle registration system was hacked into, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
”We are going to find out who did it and be more vigilant,” said Collen Msibi.
When the ”how do I” link on the eNatis website was clicked, the message ”Sorry bro..anda terlambat. Patch By Tao. OK?!!.” appeared on an otherwise blank screen on Wednesday.
Msibi said hackers had only accessed the public section of the Electronic National Traffic Information System website, which provides information to the public and allows for user comment.
A statement on the website explained that the eNatis data-holding centre, where vehicle and licensing transactions are recorded, was deliberately separated from the public information website to thwart attacks.
Msibi said the service provider Tasima would be asked to explain how hackers were able to enter the site.
He said the department was ”disappointed” that people would attack a system meant to be useful to the public.
In May, the crashing of the eNatis system caused chaos in the vehicle licensing system. – Sapa