The Electronic Security Service (ESS), operating under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, has successfully prevented a series of serious cyber threats directed against Azerbaijan. Cyberattack attempts organized by a hacker group known as "Narketing163" were detected in a timely manner and completely neutralized.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that official information regarding the incident was released by the ESS.
Technical investigations and correlation analyses of indicators conducted by the agency revealed significant facts. Evidence was identified confirming that the attacks in question had been previously directed against Azerbaijan as well. During the campaign, various government agencies and private companies were selected as targets. The attackers used the names, logos, and official styles of well-known organizations in fraudulent emails to gain user trust and ensure the execution of malicious files attached to the messages.
A notable aspect of the cyberattack scenario was that a portion of the malicious code was distributed through a resource within the .az domain zone. This method, a classic example of social engineering, relies on psychological manipulation rather than technical vulnerabilities to provoke users into performing harmful actions. As a result of the swift investigation by the service, the malicious resource located in the .az domain zone was identified, and immediate measures were taken to stop the spread of the file within the country.
Detailed information and additional indicators regarding the incident have been shared on the "Incident Information Exchange Platform" (https://misp.cert.az) launched by the ESS. The Electronic Security Service continues to monitor the digital landscape in Azerbaijan to ensure the protection of the country's information infrastructure from evolving global cyber threats. Such proactive measures are part of Azerbaijan's broader strategy to strengthen its national cybersecurity ecosystem and protect both public and private sector data from foreign interference.
