Israeli Media: Computers of Israel's Ministry of Justice Hacked

According to the "Jerusalem Post", hackers infiltrated the computers of Israel's Ministry of Justice on Friday, April 6, stealing some data from the ministry, but no damage was done to its computer services. The Ministry of Justice stated that experts began assessing the cyberattack from the morning of Friday, but evaluating its consequences will take time. The ministry also confirmed that "after initial investigations, it was determined that no harm was done to the ministry's services." This attack occurred while Israel is monitoring the Islamic Republic of Iran's response following an attack attributed to Israel on April 2, which resulted in the deaths of several commanders of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria and Lebanon, along with a few other commanders in Damascus. According to the report, various scenarios are being examined within Israel's security apparatus: from missile attacks to assaults on Israeli targets abroad and even ballistic missile launches from Iran. At the beginning of last night's cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: "Iran has been working directly against us for years. Israel operates both defensively and offensively against Iran and its agents. We know how to defend ourselves against anyone who wishes to harm us and to harm them." Last January, Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, revealed various ways in which agents of the Islamic Republic were using social media to act against Israel. According to the news outlet "Israel Hayom", the Islamic Republic was operating through fake accounts to distort issues related to the Gaza war. Shin Bet reported that agents of the Islamic Republic were using fake websites and social media to call for gatherings near the homes of hostage families and sending bouquets and messages to them. The agents also posed as part of legitimate protests held for the release of hostages, promoting activities such as installing posters they created, photographing protesters, filling out "survey" forms, and more. Some of these activities were discovered by Shin Bet itself, while others were reported by citizens who noticed the suspicious nature of these activities and informed the authorities. Israel's National Cyber Directorate also issued a statement last January warning about "phishing" attacks by Iranian hackers. This agency also reported on cyberattacks against Israel since the start of the war against Hamas. According to the report, a series of cyberattacks originated from 15 groups linked to Iran and its affiliates, Hezbollah, and Hamas. In reference to the Islamic Republic's cyberattacks, the Biden administration asked state governors to strengthen the security of critical water facilities. Several French government entities were targeted in an "unprecedented" cyberattack. Germany is reviewing its military structure to address cyber threats. A reward of ten million dollars is being offered for information about the Islamic Republic's "cyber agent."