Israeli Hackers Disrupt Iranian Internet Services

WeRedEvils, an Israeli hacking group, claims responsibility for a cyberattack on Iranian internet providers, disrupting services and collecting data for Israeli security forces.

Key Points

• Israeli hacking group WeRedEvils claims responsibility for disrupting Iranian internet services.
• The group announced their attack via Telegram, leading to reported internet blackouts in parts of Iran.
• WeRedEvils claims to have accessed critical Iranian communications data.
• This is not the first time WeRedEvils has targeted Iranian infrastructure, with a previous attack on the electricity grid.
• The attack coincides with tensions following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, attributed to Israel’s military.

An Israeli hacking group known as WeRedEvils has taken credit for a cyberattack on Iranian internet providers, leading to reports of internet disruptions in parts of the country. The announcement came via a Telegram post from the group on Aug 1, evening, declaring their intention to attack Iranian systems and internet providers within minutes. This was followed by widespread social media reports of internet outages, particularly affecting WiFi connections rather than fixed lines, with users across Iran, including Tehran, experiencing blackouts.

On Aug 2, morning, WeRedEvils posted another message on Telegram, claiming they had successfully infiltrated the Iranian communications network and gathered substantial information, which was handed over to Israeli security forces. The group addressed supporters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards directly, urging them to abandon their cause.

This attack is part of an ongoing cyber conflict, with WeRedEvils previously claiming responsibility for a 2023 attack on Iran’s electricity grid. Their message to Iran was clear: cease antagonistic actions, or face increasingly severe cyberattacks.

Details from Iran remain unclear, with the extent of the internet disruption yet to be fully determined. Public communication networks in Iran are notoriously unreliable, with many users depending on cellular data over fixed-line connections.

The cyberattack comes amid heightened tensions following the assassination of Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, an act attributed to the Israeli military. Iran is reportedly preparing to retaliate for this incident, adding another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation.