Several Czech banks, including Raiffeisenbank and Moneta Money Bank, experienced web and mobile banking service outages, following similar disruptions at five other local banks a day earlier. The National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NCISA) reported ongoing cyberattacks on parts of the Czech banking sector, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

DDoS attacks overload a server by bombarding it with numerous requests, temporarily rendering the targeted organization’s services unavailable. NCISA is collaborating with the affected institutions to resolve the situation.

Antivirus companies Eset and Avast have attributed responsibility for both Thursday’s and Wednesday’s attacks to the Russian hacktivist group NoName057. The group has targeted Moneta and Raiffeisenbank, as well as mBank, the Portal of Trade Licensing, and the Identity of Citizens. NoName057 has acknowledged its activities on the Telegram platform.

In response to the service disruption, Raiffeisenbank issued an apology and reassured customers that they were working diligently to restore services promptly. Moneta Money Bank also expressed regret, confirming that their Smart Bank, web, and mobile banking services were affected. The bank emphasized that customers’ money and sensitive data remained secure and that efforts were underway to restore all systems.

This incident highlights the critical importance of cybersecurity for financial institutions. With the increasing frequency of cyberattacks, the banking industry must take robust measures to safeguard their systems and protect customers. Strengthening security measures and regularly testing and updating security protocols are essential steps to ensure the security of customer data and prevent service interruptions.

The NCISA has urged the public to report any suspicious activity and remain vigilant against cyber threats. Through collective vigilance and cooperation, steps can be taken to create a safer and more secure digital environment. Cybersecurity remains a paramount concern as organizations and individuals rely on digital platforms for various activities and transactions.

Article by Prague Forum