The first evidence gathered while investigating the recent cyberattack on the Polish Press Agency (PAP) confirms that the article containing fake news that appeared on its servers on Friday was the result of the activity of Russian hackers, Poland’s minister of digital affairs has said.
PAP was attacked last week by hackers, who managed to publish a fake announcement about a partial mobilization in Poland through the agency's news feed.
Krzysztof Gawkowski addressed the issue, speaking to the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza on Monday.
“The first data from our servers confirm that it was indeed a planned attack,” he said. "A cyberteam is already coordinating work on this incident.”
Krzysztof Gawkowski addressed the issue, speaking to the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza on Monday.
“The first data from our servers confirm that it was indeed a planned attack,” he said. "A cyberteam is already coordinating work on this incident.”
He added: “We must investigate all the details and determine how it was possible to get into PAP's internal systems.”
In his view, the attack on PAP was very dangerous from a journalistic point of view, since PAP is the main source of information for many people.
“Everyone uses PAP,” he said. “I must admit, however, that in recent weeks, the Polish services have been able to prevent many more similar attacks on critical infrastructure, and they would have been meaningful for the citizens too; they would also have been felt.”
He added that recently, the number of such cases has been increasing.
“A week ago, the first arrests in connection to the attacks and similar attempts took place. Right now, this is our reality and something that can happen anywhere and to anyone,” he said.
“According to our information, the attempts at attacking Poland’s critical infrastructure and spreading disinformation will continue up until the elections to the European Parliament.”
“Let’s call it what it is,” he added, “we are at cyberwar with Russia.”
Elections to the European Parliament will be held across Europe on June 6–9. Poles will elect their 53 MEPs on Sunday, June 9.
In his view, the attack on PAP was very dangerous from a journalistic point of view, since PAP is the main source of information for many people.
“Everyone uses PAP,” he said. “I must admit, however, that in recent weeks, the Polish services have been able to prevent many more similar attacks on critical infrastructure, and they would have been meaningful for the citizens too; they would also have been felt.”
He added that recently, the number of such cases has been increasing.
“A week ago, the first arrests in connection to the attacks and similar attempts took place. Right now, this is our reality and something that can happen anywhere and to anyone,” he said.
“According to our information, the attempts at attacking Poland’s critical infrastructure and spreading disinformation will continue up until the elections to the European Parliament.”
“Let’s call it what it is,” he added, “we are at cyberwar with Russia.”
Elections to the European Parliament will be held across Europe on June 6–9. Poles will elect their 53 MEPs on Sunday, June 9.
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