The work of the Albanian Parliament has been temporarily suspended following a cyberattack in which hackers attempted to enter database and delete it, the Parliament announced.
See also: Albania: Government suffers “massive cyberattack”
The announcement says that the hackers failed to enter the system and that experts are checking whether the attack had any consequences.
According to the text of the announcement, Parliament continued to operate after the attack.
Local media reported that a cyberattack was carried out yesterday against a mobile phone provider and an airline, and that the attack was carried out by hackers from Iran who are members of the Domovinska Pravda. However, there is no confirmed information that they are responsible for the attack.
The goal of the cyberattack on the Albanian Parliament was multifaceted. First, the attackers sought to paralyze the functioning of the Parliament, disrupting votes and debates. Second, the attack aimed to steal sensitive information, such as emails, documents and personal data of MPs and Parliament staff. Third, the attack aimed to create a climate of insecurity and uncertainty, undermining public trust in the government and democratic processes.
See also: Albania blames Iran for July cyberattack and breaks diplomatic relations
Finally, the cyberattack may have been aimed at executing a broader plan to mislead the government, provoke public disorder , or impose political or economic pressure
In July 2022, Albania suffered a cyberattack that the government and multinational technology companies attributed to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. It is believed that this was in retaliation for Albania's sheltering of members of the Iranian opposition Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, or MEK. The attack led the government to break diplomatic relations with Iran two months later.
Iran's Foreign Ministry denied that Tehran was behind an attack on Albanian government websites and noted that Iran has suffered cyberattacks from the MEK.
In June, Albanian authorities raided a camp for displaced MEK members to seize computer devices allegedly linked to banned political activities.
See also: Anonymous hacked the National Bank of Iran (Bank Melli)
Since 2013, around 2,500 Iranian exiles have been hosted in Albania, where they are not expected to engage in any political activity and must abide by the country's laws.
Source: sarajevotimes
