Following the recent cyber attack on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), its hackers do not have access to taxpayer information stored in the FBR's database.
"Yes, the cyber attack affected all our online systems on the FBR's official website, but the data of Pakistani citizens is completely secure," said a senior FBR official.
So far, the FBR has been able to revive its official website, which covers all of its tax-related activities.
The hackers took control of the tax authority system, which was later withdrawn by the FBR, however, the hackers still have the information. Access to the FBR system is now selling for 30 30,000 on a Russian forum.
According to Hacked, the hackers managed to breach Microsoft's Hyper-V software and take down the agency's official website along with its subdomains. Hackers are currently selling FBR network access for 26,000 (PKR 4,274,000). The group is also demanding $ 30,000 (PKR 4,000,000) or it will affect all devices on FBR's servers and pass them on to interested buyers. The identity of the hacker group is still unknown.
The FBR's IT team, including IT professionals and officers from Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), worked on restoring the FBR system on Sunday.
All FBR websites including an official website, return filing 'IRIS', FBR taxis, e-payments, sales tax refund status, tax asan app, e-registration, income tax registration, refund modules, and Custom clearance WEBOC was inactive.
Taxpayers were unable to file income tax returns, holding statements and monthly sales tax returns on Sunday.