Newsinterpretation

Liverpool council reports rise in Russian cyberattacks as audit warns of service disruption

Liverpool City Council has confirmed that it has faced a rising number of cyberattacks linked to Russian state-funded hackers. The council revealed that the group known as Noname057(16) has repeatedly tried to break into its systems during the past two years.

Council Confirms Attacks Over Last Two Years

These hackers are described as a “hacktivist” group that often targets western governments, military systems, healthcare services, and transport networks. According to a council report prepared for its audit committee, the attempts on Liverpool’s systems involved the use of automated bot networks. These bots flood a system with traffic, aiming to overload or disable public services such as websites.

The report highlighted that while the cyberattacks have been frequent, none have succeeded in causing a full-scale ransomware breach. A ransomware attack usually involves criminals locking or disabling computer systems and then demanding money to restore access. The council said it has not experienced a successful ransomware incident in nine years.

Nature of the Attacks and Their Risks

The report explained that Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are the most common form used by groups like Noname057(16). In these attacks, the hackers use thousands of hijacked devices to overwhelm an organization’s online systems. This can result in services being temporarily taken offline, leaving the public unable to access important information or online facilities.

Cyber war erupts as Russian-backed hackers strike Poland’s hospitals and water supply

For a local authority, such risks are serious because councils provide many services online. These include making payments, applying for permits, and accessing essential information. Even short outages can create confusion and disruption for local communities.

The report stated that the hackers often act for political or monetary reasons. They attempt to cause disruption to undermine trust or to show force against western institutions. While the attacks are highly disruptive, the council’s current security systems have so far been able to limit the damage and prevent severe breakdowns.

Steps Taken to Protect Public Systems

According to the report, Liverpool City Council has invested in several layers of cyber defense to protect against these intrusions. The systems are designed to reduce the effect of any attack on the council’s web-based services. These defenses include tools that detect suspicious traffic, block malicious requests, and filter out harmful activity before it reaches the main systems.

How Cyber Attacks on Industrial Control Systems Can Endanger Lives ?

The council acknowledged that cyberattacks are now a widespread problem affecting organizations across the UK. It said many councils and companies that rely on the internet are potential targets. The report also made clear that the risk is ongoing, with groups like Noname057(16) continuing to look for weak spots in online systems.

While the scale of attempted attacks has been growing, the council emphasized that its security setup has so far kept key services running. It continues to monitor threats closely to ensure residents can access online services without interruption.

Renuka Bangale
Renuka is a distinguished Chartered Accountant and a Certified Digital Threats Analyst from Riskpro, renowned for her expertise in cybersecurity. With a deep understanding of cybercrimes, malware, cyber warfare, and espionage, she has established herself as an authority in the field. Renuka combines her financial acumen with advanced knowledge of digital threats to provide unparalleled insights into the evolving landscape of information security. Her analytical prowess enables her to dissect complex cyber incidents, offering clarity on risks and mitigation strategies. As a key contributor to Newsinterpretation’s information security category, Renuka delivers authoritative articles that educate and inform readers about emerging threats and best practices.

TOP 10 TRENDING ON NEWSINTERPRETATION

Republican stronghold falls as Democrat Mindy O’Neall wins Fairbanks mayoral race

The City of Fairbanks witnessed a political shift on...

Kristi Noem mocked after “facing down” an army of 8 protesters — including a guy in a chicken suit

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made headlines...

Washington’s legal powerhouse suffers cyber breach amid wave of law firm attacks

A wave of cyberattacks has recently targeted some of...

“We’re no longer just politically divided” — AOC warns of dangerous digital echo chambers fueling unseen polarization

In a recent livestream, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, widely...

Senate hearing explodes into chaos as Bondi dodges ethics questions and attacks Schiff

A heated Senate hearing took a dramatic turn when...

Supreme Court delivers blow to Laura Loomer — fourth failed attempt to fight Facebook and X bans

The Supreme Court has rejected conservative activist Laura Loomer's...
error: Content is protected !!
Exit mobile version