Pro-Russian hacktivist group NoName057 (16) launched a series of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks targeting Dutch port websites. The attacks, claimed by the group, were seen as a response to the Netherlands’ intention to purchase Swiss tanks for Ukraine. Websites of port companies in Groningen, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Den Helder were rendered inaccessible for hours, impacting their online presence. NoName057 (16) focuses on DDoS attacks as a means of achieving political goals, particularly against entities associated with NATO member states.
Groningen Seaports faced prolonged website unavailability due to the cyber attacks, coinciding with a significant open day event. The hacktivist group, though using amateur tools, proved effective in disrupting websites and drawing attention to their cause. The attackers boast about their successes on Telegram channels, emphasizing their opposition to actions that go against Russia. While the Port of Rotterdam Authority identified the group as Russian, the damage was limited to the unavailability of websites, with no compromise of critical systems used for shipping handling.
The DDoS attacks on Dutch ports, attributed to a pro-Russian group, highlight the cyber threats faced by critical infrastructure entities. NoName057 (16), identified as hacktivists, strategically employs DDoS attacks to achieve political objectives, focusing on sectors like banking, defense-related suppliers, and logistics companies in NATO countries. The motive behind the recent attacks was linked to the Netherlands’ plans to procure tanks for Ukraine. Although the attacks caused disruptions, the impacted port companies clarified that essential systems for shipping operations remained uncompromised, emphasizing their resilience against cyber threats.
