Pro-Russian Hackers Disrupt French Postal Service Ahead of Christmas

A pro-Russian hacking group has claimed responsibility for a significant cyberattack that disrupted operations at France’s national postal service, La Poste, just days before Christmas. The attack, which began on December 18, 2023, forced the postal service to halt package deliveries and affected online payment systems at its banking division, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.

The hacking group, known as Noname057, has been linked to various cyber operations targeting European entities, including previous attacks around a NATO summit in the Netherlands. Following the group’s claim of responsibility, the French intelligence agency DGSI took over the investigation into the attack. This incident marks another escalation in the ongoing digital conflict attributed to Russian-affiliated groups, which aim to disrupt and destabilize support for Ukraine among Western nations.

Central computer systems at La Poste experienced a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack that left them offline for several days. By December 20, the company reported that the situation was still not fully resolved, impacting its ability to track package deliveries. With over 200,000 employees and approximately 2.6 billion packages delivered in the previous year, the timing of this attack is particularly damaging during one of the busiest seasons for postal services.

The implications of such cyberattacks extend beyond immediate operational disruptions. France and its European allies have accused Russia of conducting a campaign of “hybrid warfare,” aimed at undermining societal cohesion and support for Ukraine. These tactics include a range of hostile actions such as sabotage, disinformation, and cyberattacks. According to reports, there have been more than 145 documented incidents that have stretched police resources and raised concerns about national security.

This latest incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats and the need for enhanced security measures in the face of persistent digital warfare. With the holiday season approaching, the effects on both consumers and businesses are significant, as many rely on timely delivery services for their holiday shipments.

As investigations continue, La Poste is working to restore full operational capacity while French authorities assess the broader implications of this attack on national security and public safety. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to counter such cyber threats as part of a larger strategy to protect critical infrastructure across Europe.