Cyber Attack on Italian Websites: Pro-Russian Hackers’ Revenge
A significant cyber attack targeted approximately 20 Italian websites, including those of major banks and airports. The suspected perpetrators? A pro-Russian hacker group, Noname057(16). This coordinated assault comes in the wake of heightened tensions between Italy and Russia.
The Italian cybersecurity agency directly linked the cyber attack to recent statements made by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. President Mattarella drew parallels between Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Nazi Germany’s pre-World War II expansionism. This comparison appears to have provoked the retaliatory action.
The Italian websites under cyberattack included prominent financial institutions. Intesa Sanpaolo (ISP.MI) and Banca Monte dei Paschi (BMPS.MI) were among those targeted. Additionally, the cyberattack affected Iccrea Banca, along with Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports.
While the Italian websites experienced disruptions, the Italian cybersecurity agency reported that no serious operational issues resulted from the attack.
The agency confirmed the cyber attack was carried out by Noname057(16), explicitly stating the group’s motivation was President Mattarella’s remarks. The nature of the cyber attack remains under investigation, but the incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to politically motivated cyber attacks.
The involvement of the pro-Russian group underscores the growing threat of state-sponsored or affiliated ransomware attacks. The incident also raises concerns about the potential for further cyber attacks against Italian websites and other European targets.
The Australian National University, while not directly involved, serves as a reminder that global institutions are not immune to the escalating threat of sophisticated cyber attacks.
