Around 20 Italian websites, including those of prominent banks and airports, were targeted in cyberattacks by the pro-Russian hacker group Noname057(16). The websites affected included those of major financial institutions like Intesa Sanpaolo and Banca Monte dei Paschi, as well as Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports. Although the attack raised significant concern, it did not cause substantial disruptions to the services, with the Italian cybersecurity agency confirming the minor impact.
The hacking group’s actions appear to be linked to recent tensions between Italy and Russia, especially after Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s comparison of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Nazi Germany’s expansionism. This comparison enraged Moscow, further fueling the political context behind the cyberattacks. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended Mattarella’s remarks, likely escalating the situation with Moscow.
Despite the nature of the cyberattack, both Intesa Sanpaolo and SEA, the company responsible for Milan’s airports, declined to comment on the matter, while Iccrea Banca reported no disruptions. Banca Monte dei Paschi did not respond to the requests for comments at the time.
The Italian cybersecurity agency was quick to identify the motivation behind the attack, which was linked directly to Mattarella’s comments, revealing the political motivations behind these attacks.
This incident marks another in a series of cyberattacks on Italy by the group Noname057(16), who previously targeted several institutional websites in December. The cyberattacks highlight how digital disruptions are increasingly used as a tool in geopolitical tensions, where political discourse is translated into disruptive actions in the digital realm. These events emphasize the growing threats faced by critical infrastructure in the wake of international political disputes.
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