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Rescana@Rescana
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Amidst escalating regional conflicts, Iran has taken the drastic measure of shutting down internet access for its citizens, a move the government defends as a necessary precaution against Israeli cyberattacks. This disruption has severely impacted communication within the country, leaving Iranians abroad unable to connect with loved ones. One such individual, Amir Rashidi, expressed his anxiety, stating he hadn't heard from his family in two days and was relying on someone else for updates. The situation highlights the growing intersection of cyber warfare and real-world consequences for civilians.
The internet blackout is not the first instance of Iran limiting connectivity. In the past, similar restrictions were imposed during periods of political unrest, such as protests in 2019 and 2022. These shutdowns are implemented by pushing people towards domestic apps, which are often less secure, while also severely restricting access to vital information. Experts like Doug Madory from Kentik have documented significant drops in internet connectivity within Iran following recent Israeli airstrikes, with reductions of 54% initially, followed by further declines of 49% and, subsequently, a staggering 90%.
In a defensive maneuver against cyber threats, Iran is throttling its National Internet Infrastructure. The country claims it is restricting internet connectivity to counter cyber attacks amid regional conflict. The stated aim is to impede cyber intrusions and the synchronization of adversarial operations. An example of the threats Iran faces is demonstrated by the Israeli-linked hackers who seized and burned $90 million from Iran's Nobitex exchange.
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The internet blackout is not the first instance of Iran limiting connectivity. In the past, similar restrictions were imposed during periods of political unrest, such as protests in 2019 and 2022. These shutdowns are implemented by pushing people towards domestic apps, which are often less secure, while also severely restricting access to vital information. Experts like Doug Madory from Kentik have documented significant drops in internet connectivity within Iran following recent Israeli airstrikes, with reductions of 54% initially, followed by further declines of 49% and, subsequently, a staggering 90%.
In a defensive maneuver against cyber threats, Iran is throttling its National Internet Infrastructure. The country claims it is restricting internet connectivity to counter cyber attacks amid regional conflict. The stated aim is to impede cyber intrusions and the synchronization of adversarial operations. An example of the threats Iran faces is demonstrated by the Israeli-linked hackers who seized and burned $90 million from Iran's Nobitex exchange.
ImgSrc: static.wixstati
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References :
- infosec.exchange: NEW: Iran's government has now admitted that it took down the internet in the country, arguing that it did to protect against Israeli cyberattacks. I spoke to two Iranians who live abroad and can't communicate with their loved ones back home because of the blackout.
- WIRED: Iran is limiting internet connectivity for citizens amid Israeli airstrikes—pushing people towards domestic apps, which may not be secure, and limiting their ability to access vital information. —
- Rescana: Iran National Internet Infrastructure Throttling: Cyber Defense Strategy to Prevent Attacks Amid Regional Conflict
- Cyber Florida at USF: CIP Flash Bulletin | Heightened Iranian Cyber Threat Activity
- www.scworld.com: DHS: Attacks on US critical infrastructure likely following Iran strikes
- Arctic Wolf: Cybersecurity Risks Amid Rising Iran–U.S. Tensions
- : Sysdig Threat Bulletin: Iranian Cyber Threats
- Tidal Cyber Blog: Iran Cyber Threat Assessment and Defensive Guidance
- arcticwolf.com: Cybersecurity risks amid rising Iran-U.S. tensions after US strikes.
- Metacurity: DHS warns of likely Iranian cyberattacks following US missile strikes.
- nsfocusglobal.com: The Hacktivist Cyber Attacks in the Iran-Israel Conflict
- www.esecurityplanet.com: US Warns of Iranian Cyber Threats as Tensions Rise Over Middle East Conflict
- Security Risk Advisors: Iran-Linked Cyber Fattah Leaks Saudi Games Athletes and Visitors Data
- abcnews.go.com: Iranian-backed hackers at work after US strikes
- news.sky.com: Businesses urged to strengthen cyber defences amid increase in Iran-adjacent attacks
- Unit 42: Threat Brief: Escalation of Cyber Risk Related to Iran
- Tenable Blog: Cybersecurity Snapshot: U.S. Gov’t Urges Adoption of Memory-Safe Languages and Warns About Iran Cyber Threat
Classification:
- HashTags: #Iran #Cyberattacks #Espionage
- Company: Microsoft
- Target: Iranian Citizens, Israeli Organizations
- Attacker: Iranian Threat Actors
- Product: Windows
- Feature: cyber espionage
- Type: Espionage
- Severity: Major