Pro-Russian Hackers Target Italian Government and Airport Websites in Cyberattack

Italian government and airport websites experienced a significant cyberattack on Saturday, orchestrated by the pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16). The attack targeted multiple critical infrastructure sites, including Milan's Malpensa and Linate airports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and transportation systems in Siena and Turin.

The group claimed responsibility through a Telegram post, declaring that "Italian Russophobes receive a deserved cyber response." Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed this was the third attack on the foreign ministry in as many days, explicitly stating the attack's Russian origin.

The cyberattack utilized a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) method, which involves flooding network systems with excessive data traffic to render websites inaccessible. Despite the digital assault, airport operations continued normally, with mobile applications remaining functional for travelers.

Italy's cybersecurity authorities responded quickly, mitigating the attack's impact in less than two hours. The National Cybercrime Center for the Protection of Critical Infrastructures of the Postal Police is actively supporting affected targets and conducting investigations.

Ivano Gabrielli, director of Italy's postal police, noted that these attacks are part of a recurring pattern of cyber activities supporting the Russian war effort in Ukraine. The NoName057(16) group has been specifically targeting public institutions and critical sectors in NATO countries that have shown support for Ukraine.

Cybersecurity police spokesman Marco Valerio Cervellini emphasized that the group's actions are part of a broader strategy to escalate tensions in the digital realm. The attacks demonstrate the ongoing digital conflict surrounding the geopolitical tensions between Russia and countries supporting Ukraine.

The incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure websites to politically motivated cyberattacks, underscoring the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in an increasingly digital global landscape.

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