Italy under cyber attack: NoName57 strikes

In recent days, Italy has been the scene of a series of cyber attacks (NoName57) which involved numerous sectors, highlighting the vulnerability of national digital infrastructures. pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16), active since March 2022, has intensified its operations against institutional sites and major companies, exploiting the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) to make strategic platforms inaccessible.

NoName057 attacks institutions and companies

The strategy adopted by NoName057(16) is based on the use of botnets, i.e. networks of compromised devices – computers, servers, routers and IoT devices – remotely controlled to flood websites with a massive flow of requests. A distinctive element of this modus operandi is the use of the DDosia platform, which allows supporters to contribute to the operations in exchange for financial rewards. This form of “crowdsourcing” cybercrime has expanded the scope of the offensive, causing problems not only in Italy, but also in other European countries.

Possible motives for the attacks

According to statements released on the group's Telegram channel, the attacks are a direct response to recent claims by President of the Republic Sergio MattarellaDuring a speech at the University of Marseille, the head of state compared Russia's actions to Nazi expansionism, provoking a furious reaction from hackers. In this context, the group described their offensive as a "punishment for Italy," in response to the president's political positions. Tensions further escalated this morning when Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, declared that Mattarella's words "will not remain without consequences", underlining how the statements could trigger reactions at an international level.

How to reduce attacks

To address this threat, Italian authorities have adopted advanced monitoring systems and implemented malicious traffic mitigation measuresTechniques such as rate limiting, which limits the number of requests accepted in a time interval, and the use of anti-DDoS services as indicated by theNational Cybersecurity Agency (NCA) They have helped reduce the impact of attacks. However, the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats requires constant cyber intelligence updates and close collaboration with international partners.

In conclusion, the NoName057(16) offensive does not represent a technical challenge for Italian digital security, but also a sign of growing geopolitical tensions. In an era in which digital weapons are taking on an increasingly central role, it is essential to strengthen cyber defenses and promote international cooperation to effectively combat cybercrime and ensure the protection of critical infrastructure.