Gag order issued to stop release of information stolen by hackers – Tirana Times
Gag order issued to stop release of information stolen by hackers
Tirana Times
By Tirana Times
September 20, 2022 14:18
Gag order issued to stop release of information stolen by hackers
Story Highlights
The release of the documents showed the original assessment by authorities -- that no data was stolen in the latest attack -- was wrong.
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TIRANA, Sept. 20, 2022 - With publication on the web of documents stolen by Iran-linked hackers from Albanian State Police servers, the Prosecutor's Office of Tirana has ordered media to stop publishing any stories sourced from data published by the authors of the cyberattack,
Many Albanian media say the order amounts to censorship, a stance backed by the largest journalism associations.
The gag order came after the hackers released on the web the entire email records of the former Police Director General Gledis Nano, which contained information that led to several news stories in Albanian and international media.
Police system hit by renewed cyber attack
On Sept. 9, the information systems of the Albanian police became the latest target of cyber attack. The authorities said the TIMS system, which records the entry and exit of people and vehicles from Albania, was hit by the attack. But it now appears that other police systems were also part of the cyber attack, and data, including electronic exchanges of its senior leaders, were stolen.
"The prosecutor's office has decided that no data published by the authors of the cyber attack shall be published by audiovisual media, print, online, in social networks or in any form of publication or transfer of data posted by the authors of this cyber attack on the TIMS system of the State Police," the gag order notes.
The order further says it will use the electronic and media regulators, AKEP and AMA, as well as police to enforce it.
"The publication of these data seriously harms public order and national security," police said in a statement.
Nano's emails fuel news stories
On Monday, a series of stolen e-mail messages of the former Police General Director Nano became the source of many news stories in the media -- including previously unknown assassination threats on high level politicians like Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and former Albanian opposition leader Lulzim Basha. Nano's communications with foreign partners, on sensitive issues, considered secret, also appeared in the media.
The release of the documents showed the original assessment by authorities -- that no data was stolen in the latest attack -- was wrong. Prime Minister Edi Rama had earlier said that "the aggression has not achieved its goal at all, no disappearance or serious leakage of data."
Systems still problematic
Police electronic systems are still glitchy days after the attack, with delays present in several cities in the release of needed paperwork.
Albania has been under repeated attack by hackers linked to Iran, with which Albania recently cut off diplomatic ties over the cyber attacks. They appear to be aimed at pressuring Albania to stop providing asylum to members of an Iranian dissident group, MEK, which Albania accepted as refugees at the request of the United States.
Albania’s government’s decision to break off ties was an extreme measure in proportion to the seriousness of the mid-July Iranian state-sponsored cyber attack that crippled Albanian government systems, Prime Minister Rama said at the time.
Albania's allies, including the United States and United Kingdom, have offered to help Tirana recover from the attack that destroyed data and disrupted essential government services, including paying utilities, booking medical appointments and enrolling schoolchildren.
Tirana Times
By Tirana Times
September 20, 2022 14:18
Gag order issued to stop release of information stolen by hackers
Story Highlights
The release of the documents showed the original assessment by authorities -- that no data was stolen in the latest attack -- was wrong.
Related Articles
Mother Teresa declared a Saint
Prosecutors cooperate with Italy on the ferry fire
21 new COVID-19 cases in Albania
TIRANA, Sept. 20, 2022 - With publication on the web of documents stolen by Iran-linked hackers from Albanian State Police servers, the Prosecutor's Office of Tirana has ordered media to stop publishing any stories sourced from data published by the authors of the cyberattack,
Many Albanian media say the order amounts to censorship, a stance backed by the largest journalism associations.
The gag order came after the hackers released on the web the entire email records of the former Police Director General Gledis Nano, which contained information that led to several news stories in Albanian and international media.
Police system hit by renewed cyber attack
On Sept. 9, the information systems of the Albanian police became the latest target of cyber attack. The authorities said the TIMS system, which records the entry and exit of people and vehicles from Albania, was hit by the attack. But it now appears that other police systems were also part of the cyber attack, and data, including electronic exchanges of its senior leaders, were stolen.
"The prosecutor's office has decided that no data published by the authors of the cyber attack shall be published by audiovisual media, print, online, in social networks or in any form of publication or transfer of data posted by the authors of this cyber attack on the TIMS system of the State Police," the gag order notes.
The order further says it will use the electronic and media regulators, AKEP and AMA, as well as police to enforce it.
"The publication of these data seriously harms public order and national security," police said in a statement.
Nano's emails fuel news stories
On Monday, a series of stolen e-mail messages of the former Police General Director Nano became the source of many news stories in the media -- including previously unknown assassination threats on high level politicians like Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and former Albanian opposition leader Lulzim Basha. Nano's communications with foreign partners, on sensitive issues, considered secret, also appeared in the media.
The release of the documents showed the original assessment by authorities -- that no data was stolen in the latest attack -- was wrong. Prime Minister Edi Rama had earlier said that "the aggression has not achieved its goal at all, no disappearance or serious leakage of data."
Systems still problematic
Police electronic systems are still glitchy days after the attack, with delays present in several cities in the release of needed paperwork.
Albania has been under repeated attack by hackers linked to Iran, with which Albania recently cut off diplomatic ties over the cyber attacks. They appear to be aimed at pressuring Albania to stop providing asylum to members of an Iranian dissident group, MEK, which Albania accepted as refugees at the request of the United States.
Albania’s government’s decision to break off ties was an extreme measure in proportion to the seriousness of the mid-July Iranian state-sponsored cyber attack that crippled Albanian government systems, Prime Minister Rama said at the time.
Albania's allies, including the United States and United Kingdom, have offered to help Tirana recover from the attack that destroyed data and disrupted essential government services, including paying utilities, booking medical appointments and enrolling schoolchildren.
