Recent cyberattacks and outages have targeted Russian services, raising concerns about data leaks and disruptions for users. Aeroflot, pharmacy chains like Stolichki and Neofarm, and food delivery services such as VkusVill have all experienced issues, with hacker groups claiming responsibility for some incidents.

Aeroflot suffered a significant IT system failure on July 28, leading to flight cancellations and delays. The Silent Crow and Cyberpartisans BY hacker groups claimed to have compromised and destroyed Aeroflot’s internal IT infrastructure, including flight data servers. While Aeroflot confirmed the incident, the extent of the damage remains undisclosed.

Pharmacy chains Stolichki and Neofarm experienced technical failures on July 29, halting operations and online orders. The company later attributed the disruptions to a hacker attack.

VkusVill’s website and mobile application faced temporary disruptions on July 30, preventing users from placing orders. The company cited a “local internal failure” and assured that data was unaffected. Similar issues affected ROSTIC’S and the Samokat food delivery service, although these incidents are not officially linked to cyberattacks.

Experts advise users to remain calm, stating that widespread panic about personal data being compromised is premature. They suggest that companies are obligated to report any confirmed data leaks. Security specialists argue that numerous past data leaks have already exposed much of Russians’ personal information, minimizing the impact of new breaches.

The primary risk to users is the potential activation of fraudsters who may exploit leaked phone numbers for scams. While loyalty points and bonuses are unlikely to be affected, personal data such as phone numbers and emails may surface online, leading to unwanted calls from scammers.

As a precautionary measure, users can change passwords on affected services, although companies often proactively reset passwords after a breach. Experts suggest that the true extent of the data accessed by hackers remains uncertain and that users should be wary of intimidation tactics.

Some experts believe the attacks are politically motivated, targeting state structures of Belarus and Russia to enhance the hacker groups’ reputation. While flight and purchase history data may be accessible in theory, experts consider it unlikely to be the primary target of hackers.

Experts recommend several steps for users:

• Do not panic.
• Change passwords on affected services.
• Be cautious of potential scams.
• Stay informed about confirmed data leaks.

Cybersecurity specialists emphasize that cyberattacks are an unavoidable aspect of the digital world and that complete protection is impossible. While companies bear the brunt of the losses, users should actively safeguard their own information security. Experts note that personal data exists in various databases, including state-operated ones, regardless of an individual’s efforts to minimize their digital footprint. They conclude that data leaks are no longer a significant concern due to the already widespread exposure of personal information.