Latest news with #CybersecurityandInfrastructureSecurityAgency
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Iranian Hackers Say They Have 100GB Of Trump Emails
Hackers claiming ties to Iran say they possess 100GB of emails from President Donald Trump's inner circle and may soon leak or sell the trove, after previously distributing a batch to the media before the 2024 U.S. online conversations with Reuters on Sunday and Monday, the hackers—who use the pseudonym 'Robert'—claimed to possess about 100 gigabytes of emails from the accounts of 'White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan, Trump adviser Roger Stone and porn star-turned-Trump antagonist Stormy Daniels.' Robert mentioned the potential of selling the material but did not provide further details about their plans or the content of the emails. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the breach as 'an unconscionable cyber-attack.' The White House and FBI responded with a statement from FBI Director Kash Patel, who said: 'Anyone associated with any kind of breach of national security will be fully investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) posted on X that 'This so-called cyber 'attack' is nothing more than digital propaganda, and the targets are no coincidence. This is a calculated smear campaign meant to damage President Trump and discredit honorable public servants who serve our country with distinction' A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit, and divide. This so-called cyber 'attack' is nothing more than digital propaganda, and the targets are no coincidence. This is a… — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 1, 2025 Robert first appeared during the final months of the 2024 presidential campaign, claiming to have breached the email accounts of several Trump allies, including Wiles, and subsequently distributed emails to journalists. Reuters authenticated some of the leaked material, including an email that appeared to show a financial arrangement between Trump and lawyers for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Trump's health secretary. Other documents included Trump campaign communications about Republican candidates and discussions of settlement negotiations with Daniels. Although the leaks received some media attention, they did not fundamentally alter the outcome of the presidential race, which Trump won. A September 2024 indictment from the U.S. Justice Department alleged that Iran's Revolutionary Guards ran the Robert hacking operation. After Trump's election, Robert told Reuters that no more leaks were planned. As recently as May, the hackers said, 'I am retired, man.' However, the group resumed communication after the recent 12-day air war between Israel and Iran, which ended with U.S. bombing of Iran's nuclear sites. In recent messages, Robert said they were organizing a sale of the stolen emails and wanted Reuters to 'broadcast this matter.' Frederick Kagan, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, commented that Iranian spies may be seeking retaliation through means unlikely to provoke further U.S. or Israeli military action, stating, 'A default explanation is that everyone's been ordered to use all the asymmetric stuff that they can that's not likely to trigger a resumption of major Israeli/U.S. military activity. Leaking a bunch more emails is not likely to do that.' Despite concerns about potential digital attacks, Iran's hackers maintained a low profile during the conflict, though U.S. cyber officials warned that American companies and critical infrastructure operators might still be at risk from Iranian operations. Over the last year, American-Iranian relations has reached new lows. Headline USA has reported on multiple instances of alleged Iranian plots to assassinate Trump, all in an effort to get the United States into a direct confrontation with read: Iran Holds Huge Public Funeral For Slain Military Commanders & Scientists
Egypt Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Iranian hackers could target American defense companies working in Israel, US agencies warn
CNN — US defense companies doing business in Israel are at increased risk of cyberattacks from Iran despite an US defense companies doing business in Israel are at increased risk of cyberattacks from Iran despite an Israel-Iran ceasefire , American cybersecurity and defense agencies warned Monday. 'Based on the current geopolitical environment, Iranian-affiliated cyber actors may target U.S. devices and networks for near-term cyber operations,' said the advisory from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, FBI, National Security Agency and the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center. US defense contractors, 'particularly those possessing holdings or relationships with Israeli research and defense firms, are at increased risk,' the agencies said. Iran and Israel have for years conducted intense cyber operations against each other. US officials are increasingly concerned that US organizations with ties to Israel could be caught in the crosshairs. Iran was allegedly behind destructive cyberattacks in 2023 against organizations in the Israeli education and technology sectors. Earlier this month, a pro-Israel hacking group stole $90 million from Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange, claiming it was revenge against the IRGC. After the US military dropped massive bombs on Iranian nuclear sites over a week ago, US critical infrastructure such as hospitals and water plants have been on high alert for any Iranian retaliation in cyberspace. There haven't been any high-impact Iranian hacks of US organizations reported yet, but Iran's history of aggressive and unpredictable cyber operations has senior US officials paying close attention. CNN has requested comment on the new US advisory from Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations. After the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, hackers linked with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps scanned the internet for Israeli-made industrial software installed at water plants and other facilities across the US, according to US officials. The global hacking campaign included dozens of US victims in the water, energy, food and beverage and health sectors, the new advisory says. That alleged pro-Iranian hacking spree, which did not take advanced skill and exploited weak US defenses, affected people who never expected to be the target of someone allegedly sitting in Tehran. In one case, the hackers forced a water utility in a small town outside of Pittsburgh to operate pump stations manually. 'That was maybe the furthest thing from my mind,' Robert J. Bible, the general manager of the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa, told CNN in November 2023, referring to being caught up in cyberattacks related to the Israel-Gaza war. 'Especially for a community. We only serve 15,000 people. You wouldn't put two and two together.' An overriding goal of Iranian hacking operations is psychological, according to experts. The hackers use online personas to exaggerate their exploits, and they have aggressively tried to get journalists to write about their activity. Those personas have been active online in recent days, claiming successful cyberattacks on a variety of targets after Israel attacked Iran more than two weeks ago. 'If it's there, and vulnerable, they have a higher likelihood of targeting it,' one US official, who was monitoring potential Iranian hacking threats to critical infrastructure, previously told CNN
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
US calls reported threats by pro-Iran hackers to release Trump-tied material a ‘smear campaign'
Pro-Iran hackers have threatened to release emails supposedly stolen from people connected to President Donald Trump, according to a news report, a move that federal authorities call a 'calculated smear campaign.' The United States has warned of continued Iranian cyberattacks following American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and the threats those could pose to services, economic systems and companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said late Monday that the threat to expose emails about Trump is 'nothing more than digital propaganda' meant to damage Trump and other federal officials. 'A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit, and divide,' CISA spokeswoman Marci McCarthy wrote in a social media post, linking to a report from Reuters about the threat. 'These criminals will be found, and they will be brought to justice.' Reuters reported that it contacted the alleged hackers online. They told the news organisation that it held a large cache of emails from Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, other top advisers and porn actor Stormy Daniels, to whom a hush money payment led to Trump's criminal conviction. Federal prosecutors charged three Iranians last year on allegations of hacking into Trump's presidential campaign. Hackers also targeted the campaign of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and unsuccessfully tried to leak material supposedly taken from Trump to Democrats and members of the media. The threat to release more hacked emails was reported the same day that CISA, the FBI and National Security Agency issued a public bulletin warning that hacking groups supportive of Tehran may attack US interests despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The hackers, authorities warned, could seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. They also could target defence contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies said. The bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital defences. Hackers backing Tehran have targeted US banks, defence contractors and energy companies following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — but so far have not caused widespread disruptions.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
US slams ‘smear campaign' as pro-Iran hackers threaten to release Trump material
The US warned of continued Iranian cyberattacks after American strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities and the threats they could pose to services, economic systems and companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the threat to expose emails about the president is 'nothing more than digital propaganda' meant to damage Mr Trump and other federal officials. 'A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit and divide,' CISA spokeswoman Marci McCarthy wrote in a social media post. 'These criminals will be found, and they will be brought to justice.' Reuters reported that it contacted the alleged hackers online, and they told the news organisation that they had a large cache of emails from Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, other senior advisers and porn actress Stormy Daniels, to whom a hush money payment led to Mr Trump's criminal conviction. Federal prosecutors charged three Iranians last year on allegations of hacking into Mr Trump's presidential campaign. Hackers also targeted the campaign of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and unsuccessfully tried to leak material supposedly taken from Mr Trump to Democrats and members of the media. The threat to release more hacked emails was reported on the day that CISA, the FBI and the National Security Agency issued a public bulletin warning that hacking groups supportive of Tehran may attack US interests despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The hackers, authorities warned, could seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. They also could target defence contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies said. The bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital defences. Hackers backing Tehran have targeted US banks, defence contractors and energy companies after American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, but so far have not caused widespread disruptions.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
US slams ‘smear campaign' as pro-Iran hackers threaten to release Trump material
The US warned of continued Iranian cyberattacks after American strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities and the threats they could pose to services, economic systems and companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the threat to expose emails about the president is 'nothing more than digital propaganda' meant to damage Mr Trump and other federal officials. 'A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit and divide,' CISA spokeswoman Marci McCarthy wrote in a social media post. 'These criminals will be found, and they will be brought to justice.' Reuters reported that it contacted the alleged hackers online, and they told the news organisation that they had a large cache of emails from Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, other senior advisers and porn actress Stormy Daniels, to whom a hush money payment led to Mr Trump's criminal conviction. Federal prosecutors charged three Iranians last year on allegations of hacking into Mr Trump's presidential campaign. Hackers also targeted the campaign of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and unsuccessfully tried to leak material supposedly taken from Mr Trump to Democrats and members of the media. The threat to release more hacked emails was reported on the day that CISA, the FBI and the National Security Agency issued a public bulletin warning that hacking groups supportive of Tehran may attack US interests despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The hackers, authorities warned, could seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. They also could target defence contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies said. The bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital defences. Hackers backing Tehran have targeted US banks, defence contractors and energy companies after American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, but so far have not caused widespread disruptions.
