The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Pro-Russian hackers step up attacks against Swiss targets

Geneva Airport
Geneva Airport confirmed its website had been targeted by a cyberattack but said the attack did not affect its operations © Keystone / Salvatore Di Nolfi

Swiss authorities say a pro-Russian hacking group has intensified its cyberattacks against Switzerland, with the hackers claiming to have taken down several key websites including that of Geneva Airport.

Switzerland’s main government websites, including that of parliament and the federal administration, have been hit in recent days by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack claimed by the NoName group.

In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, Switzerland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) described the intensity of the DDoS attack as “exceptionally high” and warned some government websites could remain inaccessible.

+ Ransomware attacks on the rise in Switzerland

The attack comes as the Swiss parliament prepares for a video address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky scheduled for Thursday.

“The parliamentary services are doing everything in their power to ensure that the live broadcast on Thursday can go smoothly,” NCSC said.

More

Geneva Airport

The NoName group said it had carried out an attack against the parliament’s website last week in response to Switzerland’s adoption of another EU sanctions package against Moscow.

On Tuesday it attacked other websites including that of Geneva Airport, a hub for diplomats and officials travelling to the United Nations.

“The website of the Geneva International Airport did not resist our attack,” the group wrote on the Telegram messenger service, posting an image of a bear flaunting its claws.

The airport confirmed its website had been targeted by a DDoS attack since Tuesday morning. It said the attack did not affect its operations.

On Wednesday morning the websites of the authorities of canton Basel City and the city of Zurich were also not accessible as a result of a DDoS attack.

More

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Small two-seater crashes into Lake Geneva: no injuries

More

Small plane crashes into Lake Geneva near Vevey

This content was published on A small two-seater plane crashed into Lake Geneva near Vevey on Tuesday afternoon. The two people on board were able to escape from the submerged aircraft without any injuries.

Read more: Small plane crashes into Lake Geneva near Vevey
Drafts for new banknote series available

More

Swiss National Bank publishes new banknote designs

This content was published on The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is working on a new series of banknotes on the theme of “Switzerland and its altitudes”. Twelve designs for the new series have been submitted and the public's opinion is now being sought.

Read more: Swiss National Bank publishes new banknote designs
Switzerland wants to win the Foreign Oscar with "Heldin"

More

Swiss film ‘Late Shift’ put forward for Oscar

This content was published on Late Shift [Heldin], a film by about overworked nurses, is Switzerland's candidate for the Best International Feature Film award at the Oscars next year.

Read more: Swiss film ‘Late Shift’ put forward for Oscar

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR