Pro-Russian cyber criminals targeted Dutch ports in a series of digital attacks, causing significant disruptions to websites. The NoName057 (16) group, identified as hacktivists, claimed responsibility and suggested the attacks were a response to Dutch plans to purchase Swiss tanks for Ukraine. The affected ports, including Groningen, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Den Helder, acknowledged the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. While websites were rendered unreachable for hours, the damage was limited to site unavailability, and systems crucial for shipping handling remained uncompromised.
The NoName057 (16) group, characterized by its hacktivist nature, emerged after the Russian invasion and has targeted various sectors, including banking, defense-related companies, and logistics firms in NATO member states. Using relatively simple tools, the group effectively disrupts websites, gaining attention for its political motives. The recent attacks on Dutch ports were accentuated by the group’s announcement on Telegram, linking them to opposition against the Netherlands’ tank purchase for Ukraine. Despite the attacks originating from Russian and Serbian IP addresses, the damage was contained to website unavailability, sparing critical shipping systems.
US investigator Tom Hegel emphasized that the group strategically executes DDoS attacks to achieve political goals, focusing on entities perceived as conflicting with Russian interests. The Port of Rotterdam Authority confirmed the attacks’ Russian origin but clarified that the impact was limited to websites. Although website unavailability is significant for public information, the compromised websites did not extend to essential shipping handling systems. The attacks underscore the persistent threat of hacktivist groups targeting critical infrastructure for geopolitical reasons, requiring continued vigilance and cybersecurity measures.
