Hacker

Future hacktivist attacks may target critical infrastructure, such as power grids, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing sites, according to indications highlighted in the report.

The pattern of the attack aligns with that of the Iranian hacker group Handala, which typically combines cyberattacks with psychological warfare targeting citizens.

According to the advisory, the hacking operations targeted unnamed critical infrastructure organizations in the government services and facilities, water and wastewater systems, and energy sectors.

Onit Security, founded with the goal of addressing the main vulnerabilities exploited by Iranian hacker groups, developed an AI platform to detect and remediate these exploits.

The study found that most attacks exploit communication protocols to gain remote control of industrial processes but don’t require advanced skills or technical knowledge.

Handala sent death threats to Iranian dissidents and journalists in exile, offering a bounty of $250,000 for the beheading of two such victims.

According to the Portuguese national intelligence service (SIS), the hacker group targeted WhatsApp and Signal accounts of government officials, diplomats, and military personnel.

“There is no need to learn Hebrew anymore. You won’t need it for much longer,” said the message.

APTs are highly targeted attacks in which the attacker focuses on a specific organization or group, develops customized tools and remains inside target networks for extended periods.

The FBI has identified suspicious activity on its networks, focusing on wiretap and intelligence surveillance systems, but has not disclosed specifics or the scope of the incident.