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16/10/2023Cyberattacks disrupt critical infrastructure and services in Israel and Gaza
The recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas has not only resulted in casualties and destruction but also in a surge of cyberattacks that have targeted both sides of the conflict. Hackers from various groups and countries have launched disruptive and damaging cyber operations against media outlets, emergency services, power grids, and government websites, affecting the lives of millions of people in the region.
The rise of hacktivism
One of the main drivers of cyberattacks is hacktivism, which is the use of hacking techniques to promote a political or social cause. Hacktivists often launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which flood a website or server with traffic until it crashes, or deface websites with propaganda messages. Hacktivists may also leak sensitive information or spread disinformation to influence public opinion or expose corruption.
In the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict, hacktivists have been motivated by various factors, such as solidarity with the Palestinians, opposition to the Israeli occupation, support for the Israeli defence, or simply opportunism. Some of the most active hacktivist groups include:
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Anonymous Sudan: A pro-Palestinian group that claimed responsibility for taking down several Israeli websites, such as the Jerusalem Post1, a real-time rocket alert app, and the Israel Independent System Operator (Noga), a grid.
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Cyber Av3ngers: Another pro-Palestinian group that exploited a flaw in the RedAlert app and sent fake alerts about a nuclear bomb.
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Ghosts of Palestine: A pro-Palestinian group that claimed to have attacked various Israeli organisations, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ben Gurion Airport, and others. The group also called for hackers worldwide to join them in attacking Israeli and U.S. infrastructure.
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AnonGhost: A pro-Palestinian group that defaced several Israeli websites with messages such as “Free Palestine” and "Stop Killing Children”.
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CyberKnow: A security research group that tracks cyber warfare activities and estimated that as of Monday, at least 58 groups were actively targeting Israeli and Palestinian organizations with DDoS attacks. Of these, 10 were working in support of Israel and 48 were working either in support of Palestinians or against Israel.
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ZionOps: A pro-Israeli group that claimed to have hacked several Hamas websites and leaked information about its members.
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IDF Team: A pro-Israeli group that claimed to have attacked several Iranian websites and servers in retaliation for Iran’s alleged support for Hamas.
The impact of cyberattacks
The cyberattacks have had a significant impact on the lives of people in Israel and Gaza, as they have disrupted critical infrastructure and services that are essential for their safety, health, and communication. Some of the consequences include:
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Reduced access to information: The cyberattacks have affected the ability of people to access reliable and timely information about the situation in the region, as media outlets and alert apps have been taken offline or compromised. This can create confusion, fear, and misinformation among the public.
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Increased vulnerability to physical attacks: The cyberattacks have also increased the risk of physical harm for people in Israel and Gaza, as they have interfered with emergency services and defence systems that are meant to protect them from rocket attacks or airstrikes. For example, hackers have targeted sirens, radars, and Iron Dome batteries that warn or intercept incoming rockets.
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Damaged economy and infrastructure: The cyberattacks have also damaged the economy and infrastructure of both sides, as they have affected vital sectors such as energy, transportation, banking, and telecommunications. For example, hackers have targeted power plants, airports, railways, ATMs, and cellular networks.
The need for cybersecurity
The cyberattacks have exposed the vulnerabilities and challenges of cybersecurity in an era where physical and digital warfare are intertwined. Both state-sponsored actors and non-state actors have demonstrated their capabilities and intentions to use cyber operations as a tool of coercion, sabotage, or propaganda. Therefore, there is an urgent need for both sides to improve their cybersecurity measures and resilience, as well as to establish international norms and cooperation to prevent further escalation and escalation.
Cybersecurity is not only a technical issue but also a strategic one that requires coordination among various stakeholders such as governments, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and international organizations. Some of the possible steps to enhance cybersecurity include:
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Investing in cybersecurity infrastructure: Both sides need to invest more resources in developing and maintaining their cybersecurity infrastructure, such as firewalls, antivirus software, encryption tools, backup systems, etc. They also need to update their systems regularly to patch vulnerabilities and prevent exploits.
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Educating users about cybersecurity: Both sides need to educate their users, such as employees, customers, and citizens, about the importance and best practices of cybersecurity, such as using strong passwords, avoiding phishing emails, verifying sources, etc. They also need to raise awareness about the potential threats and consequences of cyberattacks and how to report and respond to them.
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Developing cybersecurity policies and regulations: Both sides need to develop and implement clear and comprehensive cybersecurity policies and regulations that define the roles and responsibilities of different actors, the standards and guidelines for cybersecurity, the legal and ethical frameworks for cyber operations, the mechanisms for oversight and accountability, etc.
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Enhancing cybersecurity cooperation: Both sides need to enhance their cybersecurity cooperation with each other and with other countries and organizations that share common interests and values. They need to establish communication channels, information sharing, trust building, and conflict resolution. They also need to adhere to international norms and laws that govern cyberspace and promote peace and stability.
The cyberattacks that have accompanied the Israel-Hamas conflict have shown the growing importance and complexity of cybersecurity in the modern world. Cyberattacks have become a new form of warfare that can affect not only the military but also the civilian domains. Therefore, both sides need to take cybersecurity seriously and take proactive steps to protect their assets and interests from cyber threats.
