The director of National Agency of Information Society, AKSHI, Linda Karçanaj, informed during a press conference on Friday that 98% of online services are back in operation after the cyber attack that government websites suffered a few days ago.

In the presence of the newly appointed Deputy PM Belinda Balluku, Karcanaj said that no data has been deleted. She detailed that there were two types of attacks, while AKSHI is working with Microsoft partners and the FBI.

“The types of attack were two: Ransomware and ZeroCleare WipeOut. Ransomware is intended to obtain data against a payment, but this wasn’t really the case, as it was a diversion from the real purpose of the attack to delete data. There was no data loss thanks to the fast response. International cyber security protocols and policies have been implemented. The systems were verified one by one to be sure of every element before they were brought back online.”

“The official websites of the ministries and the fiscalization system were back in operation within 12 hours. The same with the Customs Directorate, the electronic prescription Fund and other services. Over 98% of online services are already operational. Four days after the attack, e-Albania returned to service for part of the services", she declared.

On the other hand, the Top Channel TV claimed that this cyber attack came from Iranian hackers working for the Tehran regime, and in addition to blocking the service of e-Albania, it also aimed that they stole Albanian State documents.

The hacker group linked to the interests of the Iranian state has targeted Albania because it is home to members of the MEK, the Iranian movement that aims to overthrow the regime in Tehran.

The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Health have also fallen prey to the theft of sensitive documents, says TCH. Hackers under the name HomeLandJustice published documents, identities and data they obtained from the servers of the Ministry of Interior and Health, among them, the identification documents and residence permits of members of the Iranian opposition living in Albania.