Anonymous Sudan claims responsibility for cyber attacks on UAE entities
The incidents underscore the rising threat of cyber attacks, emphasising the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard against potential disruptions to critical infrastructure.
The hacktivist group Anonymous Sudan has claimed to be behind a series of Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS attacks) targeting prominent entities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Their most recent claim on 16 January targeted Flydubai, a government-owned airline based in Dubai.
The motivation behind both cyber assaults, as disclosed by Anonymous Sudan, is linked to the UAE’s alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group formerly associated with the Government of Sudan. Anonymous Sudan accuses the RSF of engaging in war crimes against the Sudanese population.
The hacktivist group officially declared the alleged cyberattack on Flydubai through its Telegram channel on 1 February 2024. Anonymous Susan asserted that the attack affected the airline’s infrastructure, including the reservation system, leaving only the website functional.
The incidents highlight the growing concern over DDoS attacks. A recent Kaspersky report alerted to a flourishing DDoS economy on the dark web. This trend poses a significant threat to businesses, particularly those reliant on critical infrastructure.
In light of these cyber threats, it is imperative for individuals and organisations alike to fortify their cybersecurity defences. The report also states that while DDoS mitigation services are important, the primary focus should be on securing IoT devices to prevent them from being exploited as botnets in cyber attacks.
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