PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Report: US Military 'Dropping Cyber Bombs' on ISIS

The US will utilize tools normally reserved for attacks on states like Iran and North Korea.

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

The US is reportedly looking to drop "cyberbombs" on ISIS.

According to The New York Times, the military's Cyber Command is working to disrupt the Islamic State's ability to communicate with one another and potential recruits online. In doing so, it will utilize tools normally reserved for attacks on states like Iran and North Korea.

"We are dropping cyber bombs," U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work told the Times. "We have never done that before."

At a briefing last month, top military brass revealed that the US Cyber Command is hard at work disrupting ISIS's communications networks. It's an emerging war strategy in the Middle East, and it comes from a relatively new agency—Cyber Command was established in 2009.

General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in March said the most critical part of hacking ISIS networks is remaining undetected. "Most importantly, we don't want the enemy to know when, where, and how we're conducting cyber operations," he said.

That's the purpose of this operation, details of which remain scant. According to the Times, the government secured a series of "implants" in the militants' networks. "Now, the plan is to imitate them or to alter their messages, with the aim of redirecting militants to areas more vulnerable to attack by American drones or local ground forces," the Times said.

The report also suggested American operations could help officials disrupt electronic money transfers.

The Department of Defense did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

My Areas of Expertise

  • Science & Space
  • Video Streaming Services
  • Social Media
  • Cars & Auto
  • Education

The Tech I Use

  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • MacBook Air (hooked up to a 23-inch Dell monitor)
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • Soundcore Life P3 earbuds
  • Various Amazon Echo devices

Read full bio