A series of cyberattacks and technical failures have recently disrupted key services in Russia, including air transportation, pharmacy chains, and food delivery. While some incidents, like the attack on Aeroflot claimed by hacker groups Silent Crow and “Cyberpartisans BY,” have been attributed to malicious actors, others, such as the disruptions affecting VkusVill and ROSTIC’S, remain officially unexplained.

The immediate impact on users includes flight delays and cancellations, temporary unavailability of pharmacies and online ordering services. Companies are actively working to restore operations, but the incidents have raised concerns about potential data leaks.

Despite these concerns, cybersecurity experts advise against panic, emphasizing that the vast majority of Russian citizens’ personal data has already been compromised in previous leaks. They suggest that while the threat of increased scam activity exists, loyalty card data and bonuses are unlikely to be lost and will likely be restored by the affected companies.

Experts recommend that users change passwords on services that may have been compromised, especially if they use the same passwords across multiple platforms. They also caution individuals to be vigilant against scammers who may exploit the situation by posing as officials or bank representatives. It is crucial to verify any suspicious requests through official channels.

While acknowledging the politically motivated nature of some attacks, experts believe the primary goal is often to enhance the hacker groups’ reputation within the cybersecurity community. The information obtained, such as flight and purchase history, is not typically considered a valuable target for direct exploitation.

Cybersecurity experts emphasize that cyberattacks are a growing reality, and complete protection is impossible. However, they maintain that the main burden of these attacks falls on companies, not individual users. Despite this, individuals should remain vigilant about their online security.

Experts also note that personal data is already widely available in various databases, including state-run systems, making complete anonymity virtually impossible. The widespread nature of data leaks, paradoxically, leads experts to conclude that new leaks have a diminished impact, as most personal information is already circulating online.