Pro-Russian hackers declare ‘cyberwar’ on Norway
By Olesia Krivtsova
The pro-Russian hacking group Server Killers has announced that it is declaring “cyberwar” on Norway and has claimed responsibility for a large-scale DDoS attack on the country’s government digital services.
The attack on the infrastructure of Norway’s Digitalisation Directorate (Digdir) began during the night of 24 August and has now continued for a third day, Norwegian TV 2 reports. At various points, around ten services have been affected, including the electronic identification systems ID-porten and MinID, the Altinn portal, and digital postal services.
Digdir says that its core systems are currently operational and that most users are not experiencing any serious disruption. The agency also stresses that a DDoS attack does not mean that its systems have been breached, and there is no evidence that users’ personal data has been leaked.
In a post on its Telegram channel, Server Killers said the attack was motivated by Norway’s support for Ukraine. In particular, the group referred to a new defence and security cooperation agreement signed by Oslo and Kyiv on 23 August.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had previously announced that the government intended to allocate NOK 85 billion in aid to Ukraine in next year’s budget. The budget has not yet been adopted.
Norway’s National Criminal Investigation Service, Kripos, has launched an investigation into the incident. The Police Security Service (PST) also told TV 2 that it was monitoring the situation and liaising with other government agencies.
Server Killers has been active since 2023 and has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on websites in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Romania and Canada. The group has also been linked to another pro-Russian hacking group, NoName057(16).
There is currently no independent confirmation that Server Killers was responsible for the attack on Norway.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Online security experts warn against online voting in territorial elections in Northern Canada, CBC News
Finland: Russian cyber attacks, espionage pose growing threat to Finnish national security, Yle news
Greenland: Growing focus on Arctic puts Greenland at higher risk of cyber attacks: assessment, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Nordics should aim for common approach to China’s Arctic involvement says report, Eye on the Arctic
Sweden: Fewer cyber attacks in Sweden after joining NATO, Radio Sweden
