(Credit: Alex Sholom / Getty Images)
What do you think about the Israel-Hamas war? A new report from Google suggests Iran has been trying to influence your opinion through a steady stream of cyberattacks.
"Today’s report offers the latest example of how cyber operations are tools of first resort, providing a lower-cost, lower-risk way for rivals to engage in conflict, gather information, disrupt daily life, and shape public perceptions — all while still remaining below the line of direct confrontation," Google says.
The report draws on "extensive research from dozens of sources" with input from Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG), Google-owned Mandiant, and Google Trust & Safety.
"After the terrorist attacks by Hamas, we observed the steady stream of cyber operations by Iran and Hezbollah-linked groups become more focused, more concentrated, and—among other objectives—geared toward undercutting public support for the war," says Google.
With aliases like "Charming Kitten" and "Mint Sandstorm," Iranian groups targeted the US, Israel, Europe, and the Middle East with espionage and misinformation campaigns. Though Iranian cyberattacks against these areas have been going on for "years," Google observed an uptick in efforts to shape public opinion after Oct. 7.
The alias "GREATRIFT" created a fake missing persons list that distributed malware when users clicked on it in search of updates on abducted Israelis. It also spoofed an Israeli hospital and circulated a blood donation campaign page that also distributed malware.
Account "BibiWiper" sent instructions to printers to mass-print a slogan disparaging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which were posted on Telegram to "publicize the attacks and post the same anti-Netanyahu slogan that attackers printed out at victim organizations."
(Credit: Google)Hamas itself has engaged in fewer cyberattacks than Iran and did not use them as part of its Oct. 7 attack. This is a notable difference between Russia's use of cyber threats leading up to its invasion of Ukraine, as well as its coordinated attacks before the initial missile strikes.
"It is clear that cyber will play a prominent role in major armed conflicts going forward," Google says. "We hope the analysis and research contained in this report helps to inform defenders globally, providing fresh insights for collective defense."