Pro-Russian Hacker Group Launches DDoS Attacks on Over 10 US Airport Websites

"Air Traffic Control and Airport Security Systems Unaffected by Plane Takeoff and Landing"
Internal Russian Attacker Suspected... Experts Attribute to Pro-Russian Hacker Group 'Killnet'

More than 10 major airport websites in the United States, including New York and Los Angeles, were attacked by a pro-Russian hacking group. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Pixabay

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] More than 10 major airport websites in the United States, including New York and Los Angeles, were attacked by a pro-Russian hacking group.

On the 10th (local time), ABC News cited government officials reporting that the websites of U.S. airports were temporarily taken offline due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.

Although the websites were taken down, it was confirmed that air traffic control and security systems within the airports were not affected by the hacking.

The hacking attack began around 3 p.m. (Eastern Time) at New York LaGuardia Airport. It was followed by attacks on Des Moines International Airport in Iowa, Los Angeles International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) stated, "We are aware of the DDoS attacks targeting airport websites" and "We are providing support to the affected parties."

Los Angeles International Airport explained in a statement, "The airport website's operation was partially suspended, but there was no impact on airport systems or air traffic control."

The culprit was identified as the pro-Russian hacker group 'Killnet.' Killnet claimed responsibility for initiating the hacking attack on their Telegram channel and urged other hackers to join, saying, "Let's unite and bring down U.S. airports."

According to global security firm Check Point Research, Killnet attempted to hack 15 government websites last week.

Experts believe that pro-Russian hackers like Killnet receive support from the Russian military. In fact, Killnet began its activities after Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February and has attempted over 550 attacks in about seven months until last month. Check Point explained, "Initially, the attacks focused on Ukraine, but later shifted to the U.S., Eastern Europe, Japan, and other Western targets," adding, "They concentrate attacks on targets unfavorable to Russia."

Killnet is described as "activists who carry out hacking as a means of struggle to achieve their goals," so-called "hacktivists," who support Vladimir Putin's Russian regime, but no direct connection with the government is known.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the international hacker group Anonymous declared cyberwar against Russia, and Killnet emerged as a hacker group opposing them.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.