ROME: On Saturday, a pro-Russian hacker group claimed responsibility for a cyber attack targeting around ten official Italian websites. These included the Foreign Ministry and Milan’s airports, leading to temporary disruptions, the country’s cybersecurity agency confirmed.
Noname057(16) Claims Responsibility
The hacker group, named Noname057(16), took responsibility for the attack, stating on Telegram that it was retaliation for Italian anti-Russian sentiments. The hackers referred to their actions as a “cyber response” to what they deemed “Russophobia” in the country.
Details of the Attack and DDoS Impact
The attack was identified as a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, aimed at overwhelming targeted networks with heavy data traffic to incapacitate them. Italy’s cybersecurity agency acted swiftly, providing assistance to the affected institutions. The agency successfully mitigated the attack’s effects in under two hours.
No Flight Disruptions Reported at Airports
Despite the disruption to the websites, no impact was reported on flight operations at Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports. SEA, the company managing the airports, confirmed that flight schedules were unaffected.
Security Agencies’ Rapid Response
The Italian cybersecurity agency’s prompt action minimized the disruption caused by the cyber attack, preventing major damage. However, authorities are continuing to monitor potential threats from the pro-Russian group.