Enrique Abeyta

Hacked Traffic Cams and Hijacked TVs: How Cyber Operations Supported the War Against Iran

On Saturday, U.S. and Israeli jets began a bombing campaign against Iran, killing its supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several senior government officials. The attacks also hit military and civilian targets all across the country, including a girls’ school, where at least 168 children and adults were killed. 

After a few days of conflict, multiple reports, as well as statements from government officials, suggest that cyber operations played a significant role in the beginning of the war. This shows that in current times, hacking can be an important component of real-world conflicts and war, supporting kinetic strikes and providing intelligence from surveillance activities, as well as being used as part of psychological operations, or psyops.

The most direct confirmation of a cyber operation playing part in the war came from the U.S. chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Gen. Dan Caine, who said that “coordinated space and cyber operations effectively disrupted communications and sensor networks” in Iran ahead of the attack, “leaving the adversary without the ability to see, coordinate or respond effectively.”

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Greg Guenthner:

Bitcoin Climbs, Stocks and Gold Drop as Iran Conflict Stokes Uncertainty

Bitcoin outpaced major U.S. stock indexes on Tuesday, rising as investors weighed the prospect of a prolonged military conflict between the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

The leading digital asset by market cap recently changed hands at $68,783, roughly even over the last day according to CoinGecko, but up by about $2,000 since U.S. markets opened. The cryptocurrency had fallen as low as $66,300 earlier on Tuesday before staging a recovery.

Although Bitcoin has tumbled in recent months, the digital asset jumped toward $70,000 on Monday amid expectations of higher inflation in the U.S., which analysts linked to rising energy prices and the prospect of increased U.S. military spending.

U.S. President Donald Trump has projected that “Operation Epic Fury” could last four to five weeks, while still emphasizing that America has the “capability to go far longer.” Meanwhile, Iran has fired missiles at its neighbors, widening the conflict’s scope in the Middle East and jeopardizing the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

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Chris Campbell:

Hackers Can Now Track Your Car’s Location Through Tire Pressure Sensors

Recent security incidents have proven that internet-connected cars can be tracked and even hijacked by hacking their advanced infotainment systems, wireless keys, and the cloud servers of their manufacturers. However, researchers have also discovered serious vulnerabilities in an overlooked area: the systems that electronically monitor tire pressure can leak location data.

The device in many automobiles that warns drivers when their tire pressure is low transmits the data in unencrypted cleartext and carries a unique identifier for each vehicle. Researchers from IMEDA Networks and several European universities recently discovered that relatively inexpensive wireless devices can track Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) signals to spy on drivers covertly over extended periods.

The implications are manifold. For example, thieves could learn the routes and schedules of delivery and cargo trucks to find the best opportunity to hijack them.

The researchers strongly recommend that car manufacturers enact encryption protocols. Unfortunately, there is no open TPMS standard, so the implementation of new security systems might be spotty if automakers respond to the issue.

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