It has been brought to the attention of Naavi.org that the Government of India might have blocked the website zone-h.org. Naavi.org has therefore checked the background of the non availability of zone-h.org from India and place its reading of the situation as under.
 As of now (march 11), it appears that the site zone-h.org is not accessible in India. Zone-h.org is a reputed information security website often referred to by security professionals and there is no apparent reason for the same to be blocked because of any content on the site.
However what is interesting is to note that the site has been carrying a few articles in recent days which are critical of a Hyderabad based company called E2 Labs. In a recent article, Zone-h has categorically stated that E2 labs has been trying to attract investors with certain project information which states that zone-h is a business partner for E2 labs. The site zone-h.org states that it has no business relationship with E2 labs and the contents of the documents released by E 2 labs and accessed by Zone-h.org through wikileaks is false. (For a copy of the complete article visit http://www.naavi.org/cl_editorial_10/e2labs_zoneh_org.pdf )
If the contention of Zone-h .org is true, then a serious question is raised on the business ethics of E 2 labs . It is open for Zone-h.org to take appropriate legal action against E2 labs. If the contents are incorrect, E2 labs can take-up defamatory action against zone-h.org.
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 a 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.Â
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.
 At the same time we need to take note that the document referred to in the artcile also highlights that E 2 labs is the “Principal Consultant of CERT_In”. It also states that it is going to be appointed as an advisor of Defense establishments etc.
Since CERT-In is the nodal agency for the national cyber security of India, if the charges made by Zone-h.org is true, E 2 labs would be unsuitable for partnering CERT-In.
In veiw of the fact that this is a serious national security issue, it would be better if Government of India makes a suitable statement clarifying the role of E2 labs in national cyber security. In particular, public are entitled to know if E 2 labs is really the principal consultant of CERT-In and if E 2 labs is also going to be appointed as a consultant for the Indian Defence Forces as they have claimed in the said document.
Naavi of naavi.org
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37 users commented in " Is E2 labs right in getting zone-h.org blocked? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackDefinitely wrong.
Zone H has made tons of allegations against E2 Labs. I haven’t seen a single statement from E2 Labs refuting those allegations.
E2 claims to be “1 of the top 100 private companies in Asia as reported by Red Herring. However, there is no link from their site to the red herring website. And the Red Herring website’s report doesn’t mention them – http://www.redherring.com/Home/26233
E2 also claims to be associated with Government of India – and I don’t see any link or document that supports that claim.
Search the internet – you will find people complaining about E2 Labs.
All this tells me that company is a fraud. And if such a company manages to block another website via a court order, well, that’s a shame.
I think what ever the issue is between both the companies, it would have been proper to sort out issues mutually but by not goin online, which is really illegal to write comments, thinghs would have been solved professionally or by notice. its good E2 is silent and have behaved politly rather then like zoneh bein so rude.
why do E2labs have to prove any thing online or links.
In India people come to conclusions very fast that means what ever is written on anybody is true or blogged is true then the people who write comments could also be blamed with there names. its foolish to belive blogs and comments.
Since this is a decision of a Court, one needs to be circumspect about expressing views on the decision.
However, it would be interesting to know more details of the judgement and whether the Court considered the views of the defendent or went about giving an ex-parte order.
It is also necessary to understand why the Court wanted the site to be blocked since the objection could have been dealt with without blocking and if necessary by ordering only removal of the specific article.
At this point of time, we need to presume that E2 labs has provided evidence to the Court countering each of the points zone-h.org in its article. This means that they should have presented some signed paper documents or digitally signed e-mails indicating the agreement on the part of zone-h.org to be associated with E 2 Labs.
Will zone-h.org clarify?
At the same time, it is necessary to also consider why CERT-In should not implead itself in such cases so that the Court can take a considered view in such cases.
Hello everyone, this post came to my attention thanks to google alert.
Well, I don’t live in India, I think it’s more of your problem to sort out how this has happened and if it has happened legally.
Let me tell you that Zone-H has a full set of published articles, showing evidences, even taped phone conversations between myself and E2labs’s Zaki Qureshey.
If you want to get Zone-H’s point of view, just stick a proxy in your browser and read our contents, it’s all there, in the last ten published articles. Including the pictures of the billboards E2-labs placed all over Hyderabad showing my face and using my image to attract students and sell “guaranteed jobs”. Of course without neither my consent nor my knowledge.
Just one thing: we have never been contacted by any court of law for any sort of clarification.
If you guys didn’t understand how this issue was managed by that court of law or by India’s Cwert…
Regards from Zone-H
The Cat is out of the Bag. Banning a site doesn’t work on internet, whatever the reason. Btw E2 Labs ring a bell in my ear. Last I heard that name was mentioned along with Ankit Fadia. Not sure what to make of that though.
It has been clarified that CERT IN is not associated with E2 Labs and the use of its name if any would be unauthorized. Also the blocking has been done only to honour the decision of the Court and no independent decision was required to be taken by the Government of India in this regard.
If Zone-h.org is able to send appropriate documents to me, it may be possible to move the matter further with the GOI.
I am yet to receive the information I have requested from Mr Roberto Preatoni. I hope there is no hesitation in sharing the information.
Hello Naavi,
I am spending my weekend away from home, as soon as I will hit back home I’ll take contact with you.
One more thing: when you said “It has been clarified that CERT IN is not associated with E2 Labs”, can you please explain the way you clarified that?
This is an important issue as E2-labs was bragging around their tight relationship with India’s CERT. As I wasn’t sure about that, I didn’t even mention that also that statement could be false and I decided to refer only to E2-labs false statements in regards of zone-h.
But if what you said turned to be true, it would be yet another fake relationship e2-labs is boasting of…
And also I’d like to add, in response of Vishal’s post where he said:
“I think what ever the issue is between both the companies, it would have been proper to sort out issues mutually but by not goin online, which is really illegal to write comments, thinghs would have been solved professionally or by notice. its good E2 is silent and have behaved politly rather then like zoneh bein so rude.”
The thing is that I wasted a lot of time up to the end of the last summer, telling to E2-labs Zaki Qureshey stop bulshitting me and distributing illegal material from his website with my name on it.
At the end of last August, I had a long telephone conversation with him, asking him why the hell he was selling Astalavista branded security courses, advertising them with a flier on which it was Zone-H name, Zone-H course track and pictures of Zone-H training material and goodies.
At that time I told him that given that I really disliked him I pretended that he removed all the illegal content from his website. And of course he didn’t. Instead he started to place my face all around Hyderabad’s billboards.
At that point, I only had 2 chances:
1) to bring him to the court, knowing it would have led to nothing but a big waste of my time (I don’t live in India)
2) Expose him using Zone-H by publishing articles and posting evidences. This obtained an immediate result: he removed the illegal content from e2-labs website. Nevertheless I kept receiving emails from his former students and lured investors that was revealing me more and more things.
This is why you apparently saw Zone-H attacking E2-labs in such a strong way, having the latter being silent. Believe me, it’s not us the unpolite party.
Hey guys Attacks on India from defacements to Hacking 1st from Pakistan followed by China and now Zoneh really funny that to they do things as per wish, Roberto being a security professional don’t know how, I read the articles from zoneh about e2lab a security organization from Hyderabad India which is credited to start 1st school of Anti-hacking and was instrumental in cyber security awareness across the country. The way zoneh have defamed with stories / comics believe me if anybody reads it will take a step back or think negative the way zoneh drafted them it’s a character assassination and pure defamation for e2lab. If you’re in business you need to follow some rules and regulations,
I really don’t understand how zoneh can be one to lose temper and attack illegally c’mon. And if students have contacted him after his post will be obvious why not. But is it true you have signed the certificates? Let me also check with elab. That means you will attack a country also or anybody like the one u did to e2lab. This is immature and only ego or were pissed off as they were calling some other experts from other organizations may be true. We cannot call zoneh as a respected organization anymore.
I had a verbo leak that e2lab have not used CERT-IN name or logo to promote e2lab in its relationship over the website nor on any brochure etc.., may be if e2lab have referred i.e. for a proposed seminar as other security companies also approach. Or consulting with other countries and again being a Indian company if any enquiry / opportunity for external help is required it is up to them to decide. As Indian CERT is a model for the developing countries and helping setup like others CERT’s do. By the way why the hell are you bothered about it and trying to divert the topic like CERT, DEFENCE etc? To create difference this is internal weather they require there assistance from them as cyber security is concerned, nobody’s is the owner in the world like internet so it’s every citizen wish and will. you only talk about your issue.
I have gone through a thorough research on zoneh website you mentioned about e2lab as a very important partner and had the best press coverage you indeed have links and photographs, which say you made them partners not only for India, but Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal also. I want to know that if your lollypops were used only in Hyderabad that to 5 to 6 of them and again not all over Hyderabad that to being a partner till that point of time, where e2lab were offering job oriented courses much before your partnership exist it seems that there was not even a single guy who really got admitted seeing you lollypop, and neither they were promoting using zoneh, you create your own way well and create good stories as your experienced in editing comics for zoneh before.
I know through search that e2lab runs this course from a very long time. you are behaving as if you are a popular icon as Mahatma Gandhi, Tom cruise, or Amitabh Bachan hope expect Tom Cruise u know any of them, anyways what I understand is your still getting a mileage from this unprofessional way and to portray your image as an innocent in the cyber world, I know that your website since years is not active mean no courses offered anywhere now in any country except elab defamation. Is that the work you do for security community except defacement archive that to hackers post them after defacing it, As your a smart guy do you have a recording of warning e2lab to stop using or an email want to know the truth behind.
Your website had several language translations, courses offered in several countries never know if they really happening now with zoneh, actually we all Indians should investigate with all your partners why you stopped, I need to clarify 3 immediate questions for now as you started replying and wanting to get support from NAAVI or I to can help you.
1) Why were you arrested in one of the biggest Italian Telecom Scam and were behind bars for so long with your team. And out on bail, involving and threatening some big names involvement they are several links which say this and authentic news papers also do.
2) Why did you stop all your courses across several countries and you portal, and clarifications on your other website http://www.wabisabilabi.com why did it have such a big controversy and later your statements to withdraw the site.
3) Please explain your authentic relationship with several Law enforcement and critical organizations around the world, I will update once I get the info means the names of the Agencies, produce the relationship that’s all for now.
And please don’t think writing on blogs and believing on it is very unprofessional. This way any kid online in the world can defame you or any of the readers or bloggers its simply waste of time except if it’s actually meant for some productive work. If you think this is your way better continue. And I think Mr. NAAVI should be updated about all this. If you want I too can help you in this matter.
I would like to update the viewers about developments in the above incident.
E 2 Labs has since removed the logos of partners which included the Ministry of Defence, from their website.
The investment advisor who had included the details of E 2 Labs association with government agencies in the investment brochure has indicated that they are conducting an internal investigation in this regard. They are likely to examine if “Due Diligence Analysis” had been conducted before releasing the investment brochure.
I hope that this incident may prevent unauthorised and irresponsible use of Government agency names in future for investment promotion by private sector. While it will prevent E2 Labs from using zone-h.org name in future for investment promotion, it may not affect the blocking of Zone-h.org based on the Court order unless the Court reviews its own orders or some body applies for such a review.
It would be advisable for Zone-h to send a suitable communication to the relevant Court and the possibility of it being considered by the Court is very high.
Indian Courts have in the past taken many bold initiatives including considering a post card or an e-mail as a petition and there is no reason why the honourable Court in this case should not consider say a suitably authenticated e-mail from Zone-h.org requesting for a review of the decision with appropriate information from their end.
Indian Judicial system is as robust as any other systems and though occasional aberrations do occur in carrying of justice, they are often due to the Court being mislead on facts by advocates particularly when ex-parte decisions are sought. Courts are always willing to correct their decisions if the correct facts are brought to their notice. I am confident that Mr Roberto will find that the Indian Court system will respond appropriately based on the evidences presented to them.
Wow.. thats something f0kin’ hillarious! How can a company known for fraudilent activities submit a requirement to block a website and succeed at that.
Knowning the person in question personally, I kind of remember that he used to claim alot of associations with big organizational items within india and abroad. When once I refused to train, I remember receiving threats that I’d never be able to come to India again.. wow
Bozo, I know well who you are, but at this time of the game we need comments with real names.
Hello guys first things first
@pavan kumar: please use correct english its hard to read your essay … i understand your emotions for India and its companies but before you blame any organization(zone-h in this case) please do a real through check).. ur claims about their scam case and WSL have nothing to do with this case regarding E2…
Now for all the people reading this i guess Roberto and Naavi have said enough and thats the real story (from undisclosed sources) Everythign said about E2 labs is true. As for all the claims made by “Mr. India” of IT security (Zaki) its bullshit.. his ethics too bullshit… Its all talks and no play…
So but naturally he will keep quiet and has nothing to prove himself otherwise.
As for zone-h coming out in public its good as it might have helped a lot of indian people who you are unaware of mr Pavan
Its all talks and no play…
@Roberto Thanks again!!
@naavi thanks for coming up with this. I can provide you with some help.. our friend at Zone-H will help you to get in touch with me..
Guys am sure once this is sorted you will be able to get the actual story with evidence…. be patient and keep waiting
Littleyoda, perhaps you didn’t notice but pavan kumar=E2-labs.
I could even name the person behind that post.
As you see, I didn’t even took the hassle to answer to that post as I want to stick to facts.
Enough of fake posts. We need facts and real names from now on.
And… oh boy, I will provide facts!
For my personal satisfaction, just a little comment to pavan kumar: there is no bail in Italian judicial system. Either you are behind or you are in front of the bars. I hope it will be the same in India
I think the case is coming up for hearing on 31st March. In the event the defense donot contest, the blocking of Zone-h.org will be made perpetual (or until an appeal vacates it).
This should not be construed as any weakness in the Indian judicial system since lack of opposition does not leave much choice to the Judge.
In the current case one interesting aspect is that the Court asked the complainant’s counsel to issue the summons to the defendants. Hope the summons have been properly served.
If not, and it leads to the decision against the defendants, it could be an inadequate carriage of justice caused by the decision to make the complainant responsible for making the defendants appear against himself.
I wish this practice is discontinued in future.
For your kind information….and for whom who regularly visit zone-h in India…Look for another mirror of this website:
http://www.zone-h.net/
It is accessed in India…
Naavi,
If possible, can you please post copy of court order which lead to Zone-H being blocked?
Does court of Hyderabad provides online searching of records?
The order is from Delhi High Court.
See
http://courtnic.nic.in/dhcorder/dhcqrydisp_o.asp?pn=217666&yr=2009
and
http://courtnic.nic.in/dhcorder/dhcqrydisp_o.asp?pn=27746&yr=2010
Whats the update on the case??
Well i am one of the many thousand users of zone-h in India and the way this issue has been dealt with is incorrect . Zone-h cannot be blocked without any apparent reasons . this is very disheartening
I just hate E2 labs can their site be blocked in India.I just can’t understand what kind of ruling is this…there were national security threats,derogatory blogs of national heroes and leaders nobody bothered to block those sites…now zone-h gets punished for exposing E2 labs unethical business practice….are we trying to emulate China’s internet policing????
I dont know why my posts get deleted repeatedly….did I write something offensive…I was just asking why is India’s leading Cyber Crime lawyer pawan appearing for E2 labs????? anybody any comments????
There is a deeper conspiracy into this…E2 labs claim of association with CIA,CERT,Indian Army,Indian defence organisation….let all of these agencies either dissociate them self from this fraud and come clean out of this.
Well, we haven’t been officially notified by the Court about the case, quite interesting ( and shameful)practice.
However, Zone-H mailed to the court presenting our point of view but got no answer.
I am anyway confident, this story will become public in India, anyhow. I know the Internet too well
Roberto,
More power to you !!
And I hope this scam which has going on for 7 years finally comes to halt.
And this is coming from an Indian who has personally been to E2-Labs.
[...] have no real clue what they are at battle over, but this BNN Article seems to be at the heart of the trouble. I was contacted by someone purporting to be with some Cyber Crimes unit in India who demanded that [...]
Whatever e2-labs teaches for 3 lakh rupees,you can learn the same for 50 thousand Rupees anywhere in india.They dont provide any material too.
Plz dont waste your parents money earned by their hardwork.
There are many recognised institutes like ECcouncil,SANS etc. which charge less than 50 thousand including certification fees.
Whatever e2-labs teaches for 3 lakh rupees,you can learn the same for 50 thousand Rupees anywhere in india.They dont provide any material too.
Wow what a news?
somebody pissedoff / depression
we all know that is it 3 lakh or 30 lakh.
we want to trku you.
global services at what cost.
please visit the boorish way.
v2 -ec-sans 50 toomuch actully all courses for 12 rupees
come join cops and tifcan security all free.
@cybfrodo: I have seen zaki boasting about his ‘friendship’ with Pawan Duggal and I’ve seen him using Pawan’s name as a “tutor” for “Cyber Laws” module of 3Lack’s course. (ofcourse Pawan was never seen by any student in the history of e2 labs)
If pawan knows that zaki uses his name and still keeps mum, for sure he is sharing something with zaki..something of mutual interest.
I’m not sure but Pawan Duggal is apparently zaki’s childhood friend. Just like Suchithraa.
Being Internal I have seen all that and got pissed.even my mo…. is close to ? now all this is diversion.
bettter i stop personal because no effects thought would be. tried all was to divert.
Tried hiding with proxy for comments its like my mother can also be defamed and why not me our companies, country, community. its simple just typo and typo, because its free.
I am not sure whos personal just thought. its not my interest. but just to provoke thinks again. hehehe
E2Labs @ Hyderabad Offers Certified Security Specialist Training, 6 Months
E2Labs at Hyderabad Offers Certified Security Specialist Training, 6 Months
This Course is designed for the young aspirants, who have an ardor to work for the nation along with E2 Labs team. This course has a comprehensive coverage of the technology to establish, to work with and to protect the valuable Information assets of the Industry there by serving nation from unwanted infiltration of intruders through Internet.
For more information please visit at : http://www.e2-labs.com/CareerOrientedTraining.htm
I’m sorry your URL also has been banned. e2labs won’t last long with this practice, it’s already all over the news
Please read this article on blocking of websites in India. It contains a list of websites blocked as informed by DIT in a reply to Center for Internet Society for an RTI application. ( http://www.cis-india.org/advocacy/igov/blog/rti-response-dit-blocking )
Did bloggernews or Naavi receive any information about why this page got banned? I think you were only describing the zone-h/e2labs issue.. It really seems a free speach problem, with e2labs again behind.
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