Algeria Informatics Network Vulnerable, Easy Hacking Target, Experts

Algeria informatics system is vulnerable and not immune against potential hacking operations, internet security experts warn.

In fact, a net war has sparked 5 years ago, amid questions about the immunity of local informatics system against cyber attacks targeting net database of official institutions, including the Central Bank.

In this regard, Abdelaziz Berdouri, an internet security expert, told Echorouk reporter that cyber war is massive and targets most powerful institutions in the world, like the White House and the CIA, amid considerable lack of inclusive protection techniques. 

Mr Berdouri assumed that the local informatics network is not sheltered enough, as authorities are still unable to draw up a long term security strategy in addition to the lack of local institutions specialized in cyber security.

The expert evoked also the risks of cyber spying, saying Algerian official websites are an easy target for “mercenary” hackers, who could spy the key state institutions, including the military institution.    

Yet, head of Algerian Internet Providers Association, Ali Kahlan, said the majority of local websites, including state owned ones, use non original anti-virus programs, which increase the risks of devastating cyber attacks. 

Mr Kahlan further called on the authorities to take necessary measures to curb such risks, suggesting, for instance, to bring home Algerian websites and host them in local specialized webmasters. 

In this regard, he said that the state owned internet supplier Cerist has been hosting only 1000 local websites since its creation in 1994, proposing instead to install a local institution tasked with securing the local network, saying it is “an affair of a state”.