Cyberattacks have surged across 16 countries due to escalating Middle East tensions, with significant findings on iPhone spyware and cybercrime in Kazakhstan.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to a significant increase in cyberattacks across 16 countries, according to cybersecurity firm Radware.
Following a military campaign by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, Radware noted a spike in hacker activities, with 149 reported denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks from February 28 to March 2. Twelve different hacking groups were responsible, with Keymous+ and DieNet leading the charge, accounting for roughly 70% of the incidents.
- Of the attacks, 107 were concentrated in the Middle East, while Europe experienced 22.8% of the global activity.
- The public sector was the most affected, comprising nearly 47.8% of targeted organizations, followed by finance (11.9%) and telecommunications (6.7%).
- Kuwait, Israel, and Jordan were particularly hard hit, facing 28%, 27.1%, and 21.5% of the attacks, respectively.
In addition to hacktivist groups, pro-Russian factions have also claimed responsibility for hacking military networks, including Israel's Iron Dome defense system. Cybercriminals have employed tactics such as SMS phishing to install spyware on devices, targeting applications like the RedAlert early warning system.
Kazakhstan Group Accused of Laundering $4.7 Million in Cryptocurrency
Meanwhile, authorities in Kazakhstan have arrested individuals suspected of laundering $4.7 million through cryptocurrency operations. The Financial Monitoring Agency reported that the scheme involved creating fake loan agreements and using over 150 intermediaries to facilitate transactions.
Funds were funneled through cryptocurrency exchanges, with a total exceeding 3.5 billion tenge. Law enforcement seized numerous mobile devices and bank cards during the investigation.
New Spyware Discovered for iPhones
In another development, researchers from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group uncovered a potent spyware toolkit, known as Coruna, that can exploit vulnerabilities in older iOS versions. It is believed that this spyware was leaked from a government contractor and has been utilized in various cyber campaigns.
The spyware can compromise iPhones via a watering hole attack, allowing hackers to gain access through malicious links. Google experts have highlighted that this toolkit takes advantage of 23 separate vulnerabilities, posing a significant threat to users with iOS versions from 13 to 17.2.1.
FBI Closes Cyber Forum with 142,000 Users
The FBI, in collaboration with Europol, has dismantled a major online cyber forum known as LeakBase, which was used for buying and selling hacking tools and stolen data. The operation led to the arrest of several individuals across multiple countries, including the U.S. and the UK.
LeakBase, operational since 2021, had grown significantly and was home to over 142,000 users, providing a marketplace for various illegal activities.
Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking
In related news, a 22-year-old Alabama resident, Jamarkus Mosley, has pleaded guilty to charges of extortion and cyberstalking after hacking the social media accounts of numerous women. From April 2022 to May 2025, he impersonated victims to gain access to their accounts and then blackmailed them.
In some instances, he threatened to release intimate photos unless victims complied with his demands, which included sending explicit content and paying various sums of money.
