Israeli cyberattacks worry Iran

WhatsApp has denied the allegations. In a statement to the AP , the Meta-owned messaging platform said it was concerned that “this misinformation will be used as an excuse to block our service at a time when people need it most.” WhatsApp also said it does not track users’ locations or read private messages.

So far, experts have not been able to verify Iran's accusations, as the country has not made public any evidence, according to The Conversation .

However, previous incidents have shown that WhatsApp, with its strong security and privacy features, is not impenetrable. At least one country has successfully hacked WhatsApp, Israel.

Israel is famous for its cyber attack capabilities.

WhatsApp is a free messaging app owned by Meta. With around 3 billion users worldwide and still growing, the app allows text messaging, voice calls, and multimedia files to be sent over an Internet connection.

Israel's Stuxnet attack once affected Iranian centrifuges. Photo: Reuters .

The app uses end-to-end encryption, which means that only the sender and recipient can read the message content, not even WhatsApp can access it. This ensures a high level of privacy and security.

Israel is a world leader in offensive cyber capabilities, including the skills, technology, and resources to exploit digital systems and networks. Its capabilities are on par with those of major powers such as the United Kingdom, China, Russia, France, and Canada.

Seven of the world’s top 10 cybersecurity companies have R&D centers in Israel. Israeli startups are also often at the forefront of developing new cyber-attack and defense tools.

Israel has a history of conducting sophisticated cyber operations. A prominent example was the Stuxnet attack more than 15 years ago against Iran’s nuclear program. Israeli cyber forces, such as Unit 8200, are renowned for their technical prowess and creativity in both offense and defense.

Precedent

Several Israeli companies have been implicated in WhatsApp hacks, most notably the Pegasus spyware developed by NSO Group, an Israeli cyber-intelligence firm.

NSO Group once attacked 1,400 Whatsapp accounts and had to pay $170 million in compensation. Photo: Times of Israel .

In 2019, Pegasus exploited a vulnerability in WhatsApp to infiltrate 1,400 accounts, including journalists, activists, and politicians . In May, a US federal court ordered NSO Group to pay nearly $170 million to WhatsApp and its parent company Meta for the hack.

Another Israeli company, Paragon Solutions, was also recently discovered to have hacked nearly 100 WhatsApp accounts, using advanced spyware to access private messages once they had been decrypted.

Such attacks often use a technique called spear phishing. Unlike mass phishing attacks, spear phishing targets specific individuals. Hackers use fake messages or files to trick users into installing spyware. If successful, the attacker can access the victim's entire device, including decrypted WhatsApp messages.

A spear phishing email may appear to come from a trusted colleague or organization. The content may prompt the recipient to open an attachment or link to a fake login page or install malware.

To avoid spear phishing, users should be cautious with unexpected emails or messages, especially if they are urgent. Do not click on suspicious links or open attachments from unknown sources. Additionally, users should enable two-factor authentication, update software regularly, and verify information sent to them through trusted third-party channels.

Source: https://znews.vn/trinh-tan-cong-mang-cua-israel-khien-iran-lo-ngai-post1562410.html