Hackers Target Russian Prison Data in Navalny Retaliation
In an act of hacktivism, a group of anti-Kremlin hackers breached the Russian prison system's computer network shortly after the death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who passed away in an Arctic penal colony. The hackers posted a supportive message and a photo of Navalny on the website of the prison contractor, JSC Kaluzhskoe, which serves 34 regions across Russia.
The hackers claim to have accessed and stolen a database containing personal information on approximately 800,000 Russian prisoners and their relatives. They are reportedly sharing this data, including phone numbers and email addresses, with the intent of uncovering details about Navalny's death.
In addition to the data theft, the hackers manipulated the pricing on the prison system's online commissary, reducing the cost of items such as noodles and canned beef to one ruble (roughly $0.01), a significant markdown from their standard prices. The Russian government has not yet publicly commented on the cyberattack or its implications. Cybersecurity experts have verified the authenticity of the leaked data, emphasizing the incident as part of a broader trend of politically motivated cyber activities in Russia.
