The global ransomware hacking attack that targeted thousands of computer servers in Italy and other countries likely came from cybercriminals and not from a state or state-like entity, Italy's government said on Monday.

"No evidence has emerged pointing to an aggression by a state or hostile state-like entity", the government said in a statement, adding that no major institution or company operating in critical sectors for national security had been affected. (Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Federico Maccioni, editing by Alvise Armellini)