Shortly after the unfortunate passing of Alexey Navalny in a Russian prison in February, a faction of anti-Kremlin hackers promptly sought vengeance, as reported by CNN. Utilizing their entry into a computer network associated with Russia’s prison system, the hackers showcased Navalny’s image on the compromised website of a prison contractor, as revealed through interviews with the hackers and examination of screenshots and data by CNN.
A message reading “Long live Alexey Navalny!” adorned the hacked website, alongside a photo of Navalny and his wife Yulia at a political event. In a stunning security breach, they reportedly also made off with a database containing information on hundreds of thousands of Russian prisoners and their connections, purportedly including data on inmates in the Arctic penal colony where Navalny met his demise on February 16.
The hackers, hailing from various national backgrounds such as Russian expatriates and Ukrainians, have disseminated this information, including prisoners’ contact details and their relatives’, “in the hope that somebody can contact them and help understand what happened to Navalny,” a hacker claiming involvement in the breach informed CNN.
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During an online chat, one hacker disclosed the depth of their infiltration. Furthermore, the hackers capitalized on their access to the Russian prison system’s online store, where family members purchase supplies for inmates. They manipulated prices, slashing items such as noodles and canned beef to just one ruble (approximately USD 0.01), a stark contrast to their typical prices exceeding USD 1.
The administrators of the online prison shop were slow to detect the irregular transactions, taking several hours to realize that Russians were acquiring goods for mere pennies. It wasn’t until three days later that the IT personnel at the prison shop managed to fully address the hacker-induced discounts, highlighting the boldness and effectiveness of the breach, according to the CNN report.
Navalny, a notable political figure known for his outspoken criticism of corruption within the Russian government, passed away under enigmatic circumstances, sparking global outcry and allegations directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Joe Biden of the United States has held Putin accountable for Navalny’s premature demise.
The surge in hacktivism signifies a fresh era in the digital realm, with various groups utilizing cyber methods to voice dissent, garner backing, and impact geopolitical dynamics. Amid heightened tensions, the significance of hackers in molding political dialogue and instigating transformation has grown more evident.
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