Hacker group NoName057, known for its pro-Russian stance, continues its relentless cyber onslaught against Italian governmental websites for the twelfth consecutive day. The campaign, which began following controversial statements from President Sergio Mattarella about Russia, has predominantly targeted sites of local public administration, the judiciary, and postal services.
Among the specific targets of the latest wave of attacks are the portals of the Quirinale — the official residence of the President — the Council of the Judiciary (Csm), and the Roman section of the Brothers of Italy party. Reports indicate these sites have become inaccessible due to DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, which flood the targeted servers with traffic, causing them to slow down or crash.
Currently, the websites of the Csm and several municipalities, including Pescara, Doues, and Bionaz from the Aosta region, are confirmed to be unreachable. The Italian National Cybersecurity Agency has stepped up its efforts to alert the targeted organizations and assist with restoring their functionalities.
The continued aggression of the hacker group NoName057 marks a significant escalation. The attacks reportedly commenced shortly after President Mattarella’s statements comparing Russia to the Third Reich, which have sparked outrage among Russian officials, including the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, who labeled these comments as “offensive.”
According to the annual report from Clusit, the Italian Cybersecurity Association, Italy has been bearing the brunt of increasing cyberattack activity, which has surged by 27.4% globally, with Italy suffering 10% of these attacks. The country’s public administration and judiciary sectors have found themselves particularly at risk, underscoring the vulnerabilities within governmental infrastructures.
Data shows the frequency of cyber incidents is on the rise, with Clusit confirming 3,541 cyberattacks recorded worldwide throughout 2024. Approximately one-third of these incidents were triggered by malware, and the news and multimedia sectors have been highlighted as highly targeted, enduring the most significant impacts.
Insights from experts reveal there has been greater scrutiny and documentation of cyber incidents since the introduction of reporting regulations within Europe. Notably, incidents classified as having severe impacts account for 79% of all recorded cases this year. The need for improved cybersecurity strategies has been emphasized, particularly with the threat posed by artificial intelligence and its growing use across all business sectors.
Remarkably, hacking attacks attributed to the pro-Russian collective NoName057 have persistently increased. According to Radware’s detailed account, NoName057 launched 4,767 cyberattacks, significantly outnumbering its closest competitors within the hacker collective scene.
The scale of the threat has seen Italian institutions scrambling to fortify their defenses. The strategic targeting appears to have intensified since February 15, reflecting Italy’s shifting positioning on the recent geopolitical tensions surrounding Russia.
While the Italian authorities maintain vigilance, the broader picture showcases troubling trends. The reports suggest the hacking activities are likely to escalate as geopolitical frictions increase, aligning with the observations of rising international cybercrime.
The response from the national cybersecurity agency has been prompt, but the incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by governments. Ensuring IT infrastructure's resilience against such attacks is becoming increasingly urgent.
The current crisis of Italian governmental websites being targeted also sheds light on Italy's place within the canvas of global cyber warfare. The international community is witnessing as these tensions translate onto digital battlegrounds, marking Italy as one of the primary European targets of Russian cyber activism.
With the hacker group NoName057 continuing its campaign, the situation remains fluid. The reality of modern cyber warfare exposes the precarious balance between national security and the necessity of maintaining functioning governmental services under threat.
The Italian government's proactive measures and the involvement of cybersecurity experts will be pivotal factors as they navigate the complicated dynamics posed by these constant and complex cyber threats.