The cyberattack did not affect the actual operations of the airports or planes flying into and out of them….reports Asian Lite News
A cyberattack reportedly promoted by a pro-Russian hacking group caused temporary disruptions to websites of some of the major airports in the United States.
Russian-speaking “hacktivists” from a group calling itself KillNet claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks hit the airport websites of several major US cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix and St Louis, AFP reported.
The cyberattack did not affect the actual operations of the airports or planes flying into and out of them.
A DDOS attack involves knocking a website offline by flooding it with traffic.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport said its website is “up and running after an incident early this morning that made it inaccessible to the public.”
“An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway,” it said. “At no time were operations at the airport impacted.”
Most of the airport websites targeted appeared to be functioning normally after being temporarily knocked offline, it was reported.
This comes a day after multiple missile strikes targeted Ukrainian cities, including the capital which was hit for the very first time since the war broke out on February 24.
US President Joe Biden said that that Washington “strongly condemns” Russian missile strikes across Ukraine adding that they once again demonstrated the “utter brutality of Putins illegal war on the Ukrainian people”.
In a statement issued by the White House on Monday, Biden said: “These attacks killed and injured civilians and destroyed targets with no military purpose… These attacks only further reinforce our commitment to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
The President added that the US and it allies will “continue to impose costs on Russia for its aggression, hold Putin and Russia accountable for its atrocities and war crimes, and provide the support necessary for Ukrainian forces to defend their country and their freedom”.
“We again call on Russia to end this unprovoked aggression immediately and remove its troops from Ukraine,” Biden was quoted as saying in the statement.
According to Ukrainian officials, 83 missiles were launched of which more than 43 were shot down.
At least 14 people were killed and scores more were injured, the BBC quoted the officials as saying.
Several regions were left without electricity and water after missiles hit energy infrastructure.
Residents in Kiev said Russia appeared to be targeting civilian areas which were busy with Monday morning commuters, including the children’s playground, university and the popular Taras Shevchenko park.
Responding to the Monday’s strikes, Russian President Vladimir Putin said they were in retaliation for the October 8 explosion on a key bridge linking Russia to Crimea.
