Sweden has been hit by a cyber attack allegedly carried out by the NoName hacker group, targeting the websites of the Swiss Parliament and the Swedish company SSG Standard Solutions Group. Reports from threat intelligence service Falcon Feed suggest that the hacker group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, accompanied by two images showing the victim websites being inaccessible. The websites were affected, resulting in unavailability and the display of error messages such as “ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT” and “HTTP Error 503.”
This is not the first time Sweden has been a target of geopolitical hacking incidents. In June 2021, Swiss authorities investigated another cyber attack on Sweden, wherein the threat actors targeted the IT company Xplain, which served government departments as clients. The PLAY ransomware group claimed responsibility for this attack, prompting Xplain to report the incident and collaborate with the National Cyber Security Centre to mitigate the damage. No ransom was paid to the threat actor, and the full extent of the breach remains uncertain.
Apart from launching multiple cyber attacks on Sweden, the notorious ransomware gang also claimed responsibility for a cyber attack on the Danish Parliament. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has fueled online activism on both sides. Social media platforms have become breeding grounds for individuals rallying others to download DDoS tools and launch attacks on Russian websites that support Ukraine.
The NoName hacker group has been devising new methods to recruit hackers aligned with their objectives. They have taken to their Telegram channel to reach out to potential volunteers, urging them to participate in their activities. The primary focus of these activities involves carrying out Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on entities critical of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Volunteers in NoName’s “DDosia” campaign are promised compensation of up to 80,000 Rubles (approximately $1,200) in cryptocurrency for successfully executed attacks. This recruitment tactic highlights the group’s evolving strategies in leveraging social media platforms to attract individuals and recruit hacktivists.
This emerging trend emphasizes the global nature of cyber warfare and underscores the need for enhanced vigilance in safeguarding critical online infrastructure. The Cyber Express, a leading cybersecurity company, cautions users to be mindful of the accuracy and consequences of using information obtained through various means. It is important to bear full responsibility for relying on information provided and to understand the need to practice enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect oneself against cyber attacks.
In conclusion, cyber attacks are becoming a part of everyday life, causing significant financial and reputational damage to countries and companies alike. As we continue to face these challenges, governments and companies must take proactive measures to safeguard their digital assets by investing in advanced cybersecurity technologies and implementing stricter security protocols. It is essential for individuals and institutions to be informed and aware of the evolving threat landscape and to practice good cyber hygiene to mitigate the risks associated with cyber attacks.