Several major Russian banks faced technical issues with their mobile apps and websites, causing disruptions for many customers. According to Downdetector, complaints started pouring in around 09:30 Moscow time, affecting clients of Gazprombank, Alfa-Bank, VTB, and Rosbank. By midday, Post Bank users also reported similar problems, such as the inability to make payments or access their accounts, leading to widespread frustration among customers.

The banks involved swiftly acknowledged the issues, with VTB’s press service confirming that some clients experienced local restrictions due to a “high load on the infrastructure of Internet providers.” They pointed out that the banking sector had fallen victim to a DDoS attack originating from outside the country. Likewise, Alfa Bank reassured its clients that the disruptions were temporary and linked to technical maintenance, ensuring that normal operations would resume shortly. Gazprombank also admitted to facing short-term difficulties with specific transactions.

Following the incidents on July 24, which impacted Raiffeisenbank, GPB, and Rosselkhozbank, as well as those on July 23 affecting Rosbank, cyber experts noticed a pattern. Daniil Shcherbakov, Deputy CEO of Servicepipe, highlighted the similarities between the attacks on both days, indicating a coordinated effort by hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in the banking infrastructure. Shcherbakov revealed that the attackers simultaneously targeted over 400 IP addresses belonging to one credit institution, suggesting a systematic approach that could potentially affect all major players in the financial market.

As banks gradually restored normal services later in the day, the events underscored the growing threat of politically motivated cyber attacks on critical financial systems. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing efforts by authorities and financial institutions to strengthen their defenses against such cyber threats to safeguard the stability and security of the banking sector.

In the face of escalating cybersecurity challenges, businesses and individuals are urged to take proactive measures to protect themselves from potential phishing, spoofing, and BEC attacks. Implementing AI-powered security solutions can help mitigate risks and enhance email protection to thwart potential cyber threats. As the landscape of cyber attacks continues to evolve, vigilance and preparedness are crucial to safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining operational continuity in an increasingly digital world.

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