Pro-Iranian hacker group ‘Hantala’ is sending threatening messages to US troops deployed in the Middle East. Hackers have claimed to have leaked personal information of 2,379 soldiers. According to NCIS, its purpose is to create psychological pressure and spread panic.
Washington: Even though the direct conflict between America and Iran has stopped for now, the cyber war continues behind the scenes. Pro-Iranian hacker groups are now targeting US troops deployed in the Middle East. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has revealed that threatening messages are being sent to members of the US Marine Corps and their families. A hacker group named ‘Hantala’ is said to be behind this.
A message received by the soldiers read, “Your identity is well known to our missile units and we are keeping an eye on your every move.” Along with these threats, hackers have also claimed to have leaked the personal information of about 2,379 American soldiers. However, NCIS says that the purpose of these messages is only to spread panic and there is no direct physical threat. According to reports, many soldiers are responding to these messages in a humorous manner.
It is believed that this is the same group that hacked the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel last March. Only last month, the Navy Secretary had issued a special directive advising soldiers and their families to strengthen their online security and not respond to unknown messages. Experts believe that Iran is now focusing more on psychological warfare than causing technical damage, so that the morale of the soldiers can be broken. There may be a ceasefire in the Gulf region, but the fight between the two countries has intensified in the cyber world.