Cybersecurity experts warn of possible cyber threats spurred by Middle East conflict
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- There are growing concerns about possible cyber threats from the Middle East as the conflict with Iran unfolds.
This week, the Department of Homeland Security warned U.S. citizens to stay on alert for potential cyberattacks and hacking attempts following joint US-Israel strikes in Iran.
"We're starting to seeing some of that traffic come from overseas. That's really tied to groups that have affiliations with Iran and Middle Eastern countries," said Jeremy Williams, COO of Logically, a cybersecurity firm.
He emphasized the importance of taking precautions.
"They (hackers) really prey on urgency," Williams said. "So, creating urgency, understanding us as humans, we really make mistakes when we're moving fast."
He noted that the threats may not necessarily be state-backed. A rogue group of hackers, known as "hacktivists," often emerge during geopolitical conflicts to act in a country's interest without official affiliation.
"They really like to make a lot of noise, more so than impact, so they really like to claim that they're causing these impacts," Williams said.
Hackers might target popular U.S. websites, attempt to access personal information through phishing emails, or aim at infrastructure like water and electrical utilities, though the defense systems for such infrastructure are generally more robust.
