Over the past week, several high-profile incidents have made headlines, revealing an unusual concentration of cyberattacks and disruptions affecting critical infrastructure.
Some cyberattacks have been attributed to a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group, but what about the bomb threats targeting commercial aircraft? Could this be an example of Russian hybrid warfare?
October 11:
Attack on supermarket refrigeration systems in France.
Up to 700 supermarkets were reportedly affected, with refrigeration equipment switched into defrost mode, causing food losses and material damage.
October 29:
Historic attack against Binance.
Approximately $6.3 billion worth of cryptocurrency was stolen, making it one of the largest financial thefts ever recorded and the biggest attack in the history of the crypto sector. Investigations point to the North Korean TraderTraitor/Lazarus group.
November 2:
A new wave of cyberattacks against refrigeration systems spreads across several European countries.
Supermarkets in Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland, Estonia and other countries reported refrigerators and freezers being remotely altered, with some units reaching temperatures as high as 50°C.
November 2:
Attack on the Brazilian cryptocurrency exchange Mercado Bitcoin.
Initial losses are estimated at more than $40 million (some reports suggest approximately $49 million). The company temporarily suspended deposits and withdrawals.
November 3-5:
Continuation of the European supermarket crisis.
Retailers and European authorities begin emergency measures to disconnect vulnerable systems from the Internet and patch security flaws.
November 4:
French bank Crédit Mutuel Arkéa confirmed that it had suffered a cyberattack that enabled fraudulent transfers to be carried out. Several sources reported losses in the region of €118 million (approximately $133 million). The bank did not confirm the exact amount but acknowledged that the figure was of the correct order of magnitude.
November 4-5:
Wave of bomb threats targeting European flights.
At least 20 to 25 flights were affected by false bomb warnings, including routes connected to Italy. A Dublin-Rome flight was diverted to a French military base, while other aircraft received military fighter escorts. So far, no explosives have been found.
Cyberattacks against supermarket networks, tons of spoiled food and the risk of potential food contamination incidents, cryptocurrency platforms and banks being hacked, our money placed at risk, bomb threats affecting dozens of aircraft in order to generate widespread panic, insecurity and millions of euros in losses from diverted and cancelled flights.
The world is becoming increasingly insecure, and the Internet increasingly unsafe.
Are these the warning signs of a large-scale event yet to come?
Silvio Guerrinha
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