2 major Russian drugstore networks stop operations due to hacker attacks

Pharmacies face problems similar to those of Russian flagman air carrier Aeroflot previous day when more than 50 flights were cancelled

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Two major Russian drugstore networks experienced technical malfunctions Tuesday due to hacker attacks.

Pharmacy chains Stolichki and Neofarm were forced to close many of their outlets because of problems with booking medicine and access to loyalty programs, according to a statement from parent company Neo-pharm.

“Booking unavailable. Loyalty program data viewing unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience caused, affected services will be restored shortly. Dear customers, some network pharmacies are currently out of service due to technical reasons,” it said..

There are approximately 1,000 Stolichki pharmacies in Moscow and surrounding regions, including St. Petersburg, and more than 15 others in the central and northwestern regions of Russia. Neofarm operates pharmacies mainly in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Moscow region and Leningrad Oblast.

The pharmacies faced problems similar to those Russian flagman air carrier Aeroflot experienced Monday when more than 50 flights were cancelled due to hacker attacks.

Ukraine-affiliated hacker groups Silent Crow and Cyberpartisans BY claimed responsibility for attacks on Aeroflot.

The Russian Prosecutor General opened a criminal investigation into illegal computer data breaches following the incidents.

Kaynak: