(Getty Images) U.S. must increase defenses against Iranian information operations, report says Iranian bots and trolls are subtler than Russia's, according to researchers at the Atlantic Council. Feb 12, 2020 By Sean Lyngaas
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was one of two senators who issued a letter to the Small Business Administration on Wednesday. (Getty) Senators to Trump administration: Protect small businesses from Iranian hacking threat “We are concerned that small businesses may not have the...tools necessary” to implement good security practices, Sens. Rubio and Cardin said. Jan 15, 2020 By Sean Lyngaas
(FBI) FBI says Iranian hackers have stepped up reconnaissance since Soleimani killing The FBI warned that Iranian hackers could target cleared defense contractors, government agencies, and non-government organizations focused on Iran issues. Jan 10, 2020 By Sean Lyngaas
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at night. The country’s National Cybersecurity Authority has warned of a new destructive malware variant (CC0 Creative Commons). Saudi cyber authority uncovers new data-wiping malware, and experts suspect Iran is behind it It's the latest sign that Iranian computer operatives are interested in using data-wiping attacks to disrupt organizations in the Middle East. Jan 8, 2020 By Sean Lyngaas
The Kuwaiti government said the Twitter account for their state-run media arm KUNA was hacked, delivering a message that U.S. troops were withdrawing. (Flickr /Silf21) Kuwait’s state news agency says hackers breached its Twitter The message appeared during a particularly fraught geopolitical moment in the Persian Gulf. Jan 8, 2020 By Jeff Stone
An Iranian flag flies in Taleghani Park in Tehran. (Flickr / David Sandoz) DHS tells U.S. organizations to clamp down on cybersecurity in wake of Soleimani killing The CISA advisory acknowledges the considerable capabilities at Iran’s disposal should the Islamic Republic choose to retaliate in cyberspace. Jan 6, 2020 By Sean Lyngaas
(David Holt // CC0) Pro-Soleimani messaging immediately floods Twitter following general’s death in drone strike One Twitter hashtag was mentioned 95,000 times in three days, after receiving zero attention in the prior month. Jan 3, 2020 By Jeff Stone
(Getty Images) After U.S. kills Iranian general, analysts warn of Tehran’s ability to retaliate in cyberspace Iran could leverage its considerable hacking capabilities, which it has built up in recent years, to disrupt U.S. organizations. Jan 3, 2020 By Sean Lyngaas Shannon Vavra