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Sunday, March 1, 2026
Hackers hit Iranian apps, websites after US-Israeli strikes, experts say
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleA wave of cyber-enabled operations took place early yesterday morning alongside the beginning of the joint US-Israeli attacks on targets across Iran, say cybersecurity experts and observers.
The operations included the hacking of multiple news websites to display various messages and the hack of BadeSaba, a religious calendar app with more than 5 million downloads, which displayed messages telling users “It’s time for reckoning” and urging armed forces to give up weapons and join the people.
Reuters could not establish contact with BadeSaba’s chief executive.
A spokesperson for US Cyber Command does not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Internet connectivity in Iran dropped precipitously in the morning, and then again a few hours later, with only minimal connectivity remaining, Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at Kentik, says in a post on X.
“As Iran considers its options, the likelihood increases that proxy groups and hacktivists may take action, including cyberattacks, against Israeli and US-affiliated military, commercial, or civilian targets,” says Rafe Pilling, the director of threat intelligence with cybersecurity firm Sophos.
The attacks could include the amplification of old data breaches presented as new, unsophisticated attempts to compromise internet-exposed industrial systems, and potentially direct offensive cyber operations, Pilling said.
Cybersecurity firm Anomali says in an analysis shared with Reuters yesterday that state-backed Iranian hacking groups were already carrying out “wiper” attacks that erase data on Israeli targets ahead of the strikes.
The Times of Israel Community.