Iran cyberattacks have turned on Israel, according to Microsoft report. A smaller percentage targets American entities and the United Arab Emirates. Read the full report for more…
Israel has become the top target of Iranian cyberattacks since the Gaza war began last year. Before the conflict, Tehran primarily focused on the United States. Microsoft reported this on Tuesday.
“Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, Iran surged its cyber, influence, and cyber-enabled influence operations against Israel,” Microsoft stated in its annual report.
From October 7, 2023, to July 2024, nearly half of the Iranian operations, Microsoft observed, targeted Israeli companies. “From July to October 2023, only 10 percent of Iranian cyber attacks targeted Israel,” according to the report. In contrast, 35 percent aimed at American entities, while 20 percent targeted the United Arab Emirates.
Since the war started, Iran has launched numerous social media operations aimed at destabilizing Israel.
“Within two days of Hamas’ attack on Israel, Iran stood up several new influence operations,” Microsoft noted.
Different accounts of Iran cyberattacks
One account, called “Tears of War,” impersonated Israeli activists critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s crisis response. Another account, “KarMa,” created by an Iranian intelligence unit, claimed to represent Israelis calling for Netanyahu’s resignation.
Additionally, Iran began impersonating partners after the war started. Iranian services created a Telegram account using Hamas’s military wing logo. They aimed to spread false messages about hostages in Gaza and threaten Israelis. Microsoft stated it was unclear if Iran acted with Hamas’s consent.
“Iranian groups also expanded their cyber-enabled influence operations beyond Israel,” the report said. They focused on undermining international support for Israel’s military operations.
The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians. According to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures, this includes hostages killed in captivity.
In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed 42,289 people, primarily civilians. The health ministry in Hamas-run territory reports these figures, and the UN has deemed them reliable.
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