An investigation has found that the Nigerian Copyright Commission’s website contains security vulnerabilities that could expose users’ sensitive information to potential hackers.
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), the agency responsible for protecting intellectual property in Nigeria, operates a website that may be vulnerable to cyberattacks, potentially exposing visitors’ credentials. The platform was established to enable Nigerians to safeguard various forms of intellectual property, including novels, scripts, sound recordings, plays, stage directions, films and computer software.
However, an investigation by Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on Thursday found that users visiting the commission’s website were at risk of having their data intercepted. A browser warning displayed on the site read: “Your connection to this site is not secure. You should not enter any sensitive information on this site (for example, passwords or credit cards) because it could be stolen by attackers,” the warning reads.
As part of its mandate, the NCC allows Nigerians seeking to protect their creative works to create accounts, submit applications and upload copies of their intellectual property through the Nigerian Copyright e-Registration System (NCeRS). The reported vulnerability raises concerns about the safety of personal and professional data submitted through the platform.