Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

"Red October" national computer network attacks

SRI spokesman said at RRA that governmental and private information networks have been the target of cyber attacks for the theft of confidential information.

"Red October" national computer network attacks
Photo: Reuters.

20 Ianuarie 2013, 11:19

Government computers had been attacked by a virus that your official documents.

SRI spokesman Sorin Sava, said the attackers had tried to access the computer network of the national interest.

"It is an attack that is called ' Red October '. He also made references to it in a few days ago. I want to tell you that these issues have been and are the subject of the Romanian intelligence service starting 2011.

"This hostile cyber entity to gain access to the computer networks of national interest and of gathering confidential information. In this sense, SRI has notified the institutions targeted cyber attack of this magnitude and we took all measures that were required for countering it .

The attackers also tried to circumvent passwords for access to some information.

"I want to tell you that these attacks via these, what the abuser cyberspace has sought to bring the documents concerning the State policy decisions they took in their institutions, as well as by the fact that they could circumvent certain access passwords, authentication, to gain access to other computer systems," said Sorin Sava.

Minimal damage but "high threat" to the security of computer systems

He said that damage assessment are underway, but SRI estimates that are minimal.

"We're talking about ' insider's information, so the collection of confidential information and secrets. databases in general that have a secret character are not connected to the internet networks.

"I want to tell you that activity of the offender cyber encroached on the national security of Romania and the Romanian Intelligence Service( SRI) continues to take active measures, including location and identification," said Sorin Sava at RRA.

The attackers have targeted both governmental institutions and firms, banks or universities.

"I can tell you that it is indeed government institutions, but not only governmental institutions but also of the private institutions, companies, banks, universities and so on.

"I want to tell you that we estimate that this cyber threat is one of the largest that faced Romania-is extremely dynamic and extremely high for the national security , and not only in Romania but also its allies," said for Radio Romania Actualitati SRI spokesman.

Translated by Denisse-Meda Bucura

The Bucharest Court of Appeal has postponed its ruling on the request to suspend the appointment of two judges to the Constitutional Court
News in English 05 Ianuarie 2026, 20:00

The Bucharest Court of Appeal has postponed its ruling on the request to suspend the appointment of two judges to the Constitutional Court

The Bucharest Court of Appeal has concluded the hearing in which it considered a lawyer's request to suspend the decrees...

The Bucharest Court of Appeal has postponed its ruling on the request to suspend the appointment of two judges to the Constitutional Court
AUR will challenge in court the decisions of local councils to increase property and car taxes
News in English 05 Ianuarie 2026, 19:59

AUR will challenge in court the decisions of local councils to increase property and car taxes

AUR announces that it will challenge in court, through its local elected representatives, the decisions of local councils to...

AUR will challenge in court the decisions of local councils to increase property and car taxes
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the death of a Romanian citizen in the Switzerland fire
News in English 04 Ianuarie 2026, 20:18

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the death of a Romanian citizen in the Switzerland fire

On Sunday, President Nicusor Dan sent a message of condolence to the family of the young Romanian who died in the fire in...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the death of a Romanian citizen in the Switzerland fire
MFA reacts to the situation in Venezuela
News in English 04 Ianuarie 2026, 20:17

MFA reacts to the situation in Venezuela

Foreign Minister Oana Toiu announced in a Facebook post that Romania is coordinating with EU states for a joint statement at...

MFA reacts to the situation in Venezuela
At the end of last month, Romania's budget deficit stood at 6.4 percent of GDP
News in English 30 Decembrie 2025, 00:58

At the end of last month, Romania's budget deficit stood at 6.4 percent of GDP

Romania ended the first 11 months of the year with a budget deficit of 121.77 billion lei, equivalent to 6.4 percent of gross...

At the end of last month, Romania's budget deficit stood at 6.4 percent of GDP
USR wants to limit special pensions for local elected officials
News in English 30 Decembrie 2025, 00:57

USR wants to limit special pensions for local elected officials

USR wants to limit special pensions for local elected officials. A bill to this effect is under public consultation in the...

USR wants to limit special pensions for local elected officials
Access to the IT infrastructure at "Romanian Waters" is gradually being restored
News in English 30 Decembrie 2025, 00:56

Access to the IT infrastructure at "Romanian Waters" is gradually being restored

Access to the IT infrastructure of the National Administration "Romanian Waters" is gradually being restored after...

Access to the IT infrastructure at "Romanian Waters" is gradually being restored
16 tons of pyrotechnic materials confiscated in Bucharest and two nearby counties
News in English 30 Decembrie 2025, 00:55

16 tons of pyrotechnic materials confiscated in Bucharest and two nearby counties

On Monday, December 29, police confiscated over 16 tons of pyrotechnic materials that were banned from sale. The seizure was...

16 tons of pyrotechnic materials confiscated in Bucharest and two nearby counties

Radio România

Mega-acordul comercial UE–Mercosur: Câștigători și perdanți (Politico)

Mega-acordul comercial UE–Mercosur: Câștigători și perdanți (Politico)

Mega-acordul comercial UE–Mercosur: Câștigători și perdanți (Politico)
GERMANIA: Femeie de 88 de ani, rănită după ce o vecină a aruncat bradul de Crăciun de la etajul șase

GERMANIA: Femeie de 88 de ani, rănită după ce o vecină a aruncat bradul de Crăciun de la etajul șase

GERMANIA: Femeie de 88 de ani, rănită după ce o vecină a aruncat bradul de Crăciun de la etajul șase
Handbal feminin: România va găzdui Campionatul Mondial pentru junioare

Handbal feminin: România va găzdui Campionatul Mondial pentru junioare

Handbal feminin: România va găzdui Campionatul Mondial pentru junioare
TIMIȘOARA: Serviciile sociale pentru persoanele fără adăpost, suplimentate ca urmare temperaturilor scăzute

TIMIȘOARA: Serviciile sociale pentru persoanele fără adăpost, suplimentate ca urmare temperaturilor scăzute

TIMIȘOARA: Serviciile sociale pentru persoanele fără adăpost, suplimentate ca urmare temperaturilor scăzute