Latest news with #JamesKnight
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Cyberwarfare expert warns how Iranian hackers could attack America
As the conflict in Iran reaches a critical tipping point for the US, a cyberwarfare expert has warned that an attack by Iranian hackers is not just possible, it's likely. James Knight, who has over 25 years of experience in digital security, told the Daily Mail that Americans should be prepared for bank disruptions and potential blackouts if the US officially enters the fighting between Israel and Iran. Moreover, Knight warned that hackers have already planted malware in US systems that could be activated in a desperate final act of revenge by the Iranian government in the coming days. 'Even if the US does not get involved, we could expect some lone wolves who are going to want to implement some sort of revenge,' Knight cautioned. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a statement read by a television presenter that his country will not accept President Donald Trump 's call for an unconditional surrender. After refusing demands to give up their nuclear program, Iran has warned that the US joining the conflict would mean 'all-out war.' In the digital realm, Knight revealed that this could mean multiple teams of Iranian hackers targeting key US lifelines, including banks, power grids, oil pipelines and even hospitals. 'I wouldn't be surprised if they try and start attacking us. Crypto exchanges, US banking infrastructure - that wouldn't surprise me,' the Knight said. Knight, a security expert for works with companies and government agencies to test their cyber defenses. Organizations hire 'pen testers' like Knight to break through their security on purpose to see where they are vulnerable. The digital guru revealed that he has already been contacted by organizations regarding the potential of an Iranian cyberattack against American businesses. Knight explained that the likeliest target of a cyberattack will come against major power plants and energy production facilities, aimed at causing chaos throughout the US rather than inflicting lasting harm. 'It would be the revenge, tit for tat, sort of attacks,' he said. 'Taking things down, causing blackouts.' However, Knight explained that each Iranian cyber unit specializes in a different type of target, and some are more focused on targeting everyday Americans by stealing their private information, passwords and breaking into large networks like hospitals. 'There's no security in these hospitals and healthcare systems. So yeah, that's a very soft target,' Knight warned. He added that hackers could break into a hospital receptionist's computer and gain access to critical medical devices in ICUs, shutting down life-saving equipment across the US. Meanwhile, some hackers are expected to target American financial centers, including major banks, payment processing companies, and digital currency platforms. 'It's really about revenge and disruption. They know that it's not going to have a long-term impact,' Knight noted. 'They're not going to take down the US. They're not going to take down individuals. They're just looking to create pain,' he continued. As for what the public can do to protect themselves from these more direct attacks, Knight echoed the same critical measures you should take to defend against any hacker. 'Be vigilant. That's the most important thing, really. Be careful of the emails you're receiving,' he said. 'Make sure you're setting strong passwords, that you're not reusing [them].' Additionally, Knight said everyone should be regularly updating their computers and mobile devices with the latest security updates they receive. Americans can also immediately switch to multi-factor authentication, which adds another layer of security, by sending a secret code to a person's phone or email when they log into certain sites. Knight also recommended using passkeys to log into your devices, a new type of security method that takes verifying your identity to the next level. Passkeys are a passwordless, phishing-resistant technology using cryptographic keys stored on a user's devices and are authenticated using biometrics, like a fingerprint, face scan or a PIN. While it's impossible to know whether an Iranian hacker is targeting your computer or emails, Knight said that the country won't stay quiet about breaching US defenses for long. 'They're going to take credit for it immediately, they're not afraid to give a lot of love. They always like to boast how they're going to do something, even if it never happens,' Knight claims. Although Knight said that the Iranian cyber units are 'highly skilled' and have been carrying out these kinds of attacks for years, he believes the US government's cybersecurity teams are well prepared to counter the potential threat. He added Iran is already under attack by Israeli cyber units, who he called the best in the world at the art of digital warfare. However, he said that Iran does have an ace up their sleeve: their hackers have already installed harmful malware inside American computer networks in preparation for this looming war. 'Hackers can be in systems for literally years. That's what every hacking group is going to try to do. They get in, they get persistent access, they harden systems, embed themselves undetected, and they'll sit there literally for years and years, and maybe it never gets used,' Knight explained. He added that these malicious programs are only going to be activated when Iran thinks 'it's absolutely necessary' or when the country has nothing left to lose in a fight with the US. 'That hacking group will burn the system, and as soon as it's used, it can't be used again,' Knight explained. Despite the desperate and short-term nature of these attacks, Knight cautioned that Americans still need to be ready if Iran attacks through the internet.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran threatens U.S: Analysts warn of potential sneak attack by Tehran on America as tensions soar
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating real quick. Experts say that as the talk of war heats up, Iran could launch a silent but deadly cyberattack on the US. Banks, hospitals, and other important systems may already be infected and waiting to be triggered, as the conflict approaches a crucial tipping point Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, declared in a statement read by a television host that his nation would not abide by President Donald Trump's demand for an unconditional surrender. Iran has threatened to go to "all-out war" if the US joins the conflict after rejecting calls to abandon its nuclear program. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is It Possible to Get a Flatter Tummy After 50—And How? Lulutox Undo James Knight, an expert on cybersecurity, believes that if tensions rise, Iran could launch a digital attack on US infrastructure. Although a long-term collapse is unlikely, Americans should remain vigilant, keep their devices up to date, and be prepared for potential short-term issues. What kind of cyberattack could Iran launch? If the US formally intervenes in the conflict between Israel and Iran, Americans should expect bank disruptions and possible blackouts, stated James Knight, as quoted in a report by the Daily Mail. Live Events The Iranian government may launch a last-ditch effort to exact revenge by activating malware that hackers have already implanted in US systems. Knight warned, "We can anticipate some lone wolves who will want to carry out some sort of retaliation, even if the US does not get involved." Knight disclosed that in the digital sphere, this might entail several groups of Iranian hackers targeting vital US infrastructure, such as hospitals, power grids, banks, and oil pipelines. Knight clarified that major power plants and energy production facilities are the most likely targets of a cyberattack, which is more likely to cause chaos across the United States than to cause long-term damage. He remarked, "It would be the retaliation, tit for tat, sort of attacks." "Destroying things, resulting in blackouts." Knight clarified that each Iranian cyber unit has a distinct area of expertise, with some concentrating on stealing passwords, private data, and breaching large networks, such as hospitals, to target regular Americans. He said that hackers could access ICU medical devices and compromise a hospital receptionist's computer, causing life-saving equipment to be shut down across the country. Hackers might target digital currency platforms, payment processors, and American banks in the interim. They won't topple the United States. "They're only trying to cause pain," he said. How can Americans protect themselves? Here are some public protection measures against hacking, as per James Knight. Be cautious of emails and set strong passwords. Regularly update computers and mobile devices with the latest security updates. Switch to multi-factor authentication by sending a secret code to a person's phone or email when logging into certain sites. Passkeys are a passwordless, phishing-resistant technology that uses cryptographic keys stored on a user's devices and authenticated using biometrics. ALSO READ: Kamala Harris won U.S elections 2024: U.S Attorney General Pam Bondi asked to investigate results Could malware already be inside U.S. systems? Iran has an advantage because, in anticipation of the impending conflict, their hackers have infected American computer networks with malicious malware. For years, hacker groups can remain in systems, hardening them and integrating themselves covertly. Only when Iran feels it is absolutely necessary or when it has nothing left to lose in a conflict with the US do these malicious programs get activated. Iran is known to take credit for US defense breaches, often boasting about their plans. The US government's cybersecurity teams are however, ready to combat the possible threat, but at the same time Iranian cyber units are proficient and have been conducting attacks for years, as per a report by the Daily Mail. However, Americans must exercise caution and be prepared for such term attacks. FAQs What would the Iranian cyberattack target? According to experts, Iran would most likely target US banks, power grids, hospitals, and cryptocurrency platforms to cause chaos and send a message, rather than inflicting permanent damage. Can average Americans do anything to prepare? Experts recommend using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and remaining vigilant online. It's also a good idea to keep extra cash, food, and supplies on hand in case of a blackout.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Sneak attack Iran could use on AMERICA: urgent warning as war threatens to spiral out of control
As the conflict in Iran reaches a critical tipping point for the US, a cyberwarfare expert has warned that an attack by Iranian hackers is not just possible, it's likely. James Knight, who has over 25 years of experience in digital security, told the Daily Mail that Americans should be prepared for bank disruptions and potential blackouts if the US officially enters the fighting between Israel and Iran.
News.com.au
07-06-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
‘Not gonna be OK': Cruel drought crisis grips Australian state
Farmers in Victoria are suffering through a drought-driven fodder shortage that is leaving them with no choice but to sell cattle after years of low rainfall. Hay is scarce in the state where 'worst case scenario' rainfall figures dating back to 2023 look set to continue, which have already doubled fodder prices and left land cracked and dry. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the fodder crisis had reached a level 'that I don't think Australia has ever experienced before'. One farmer told last week that hay bales they sourced from NSW were being sold for $250 a round when it used to cost $60. James Knight, who runs a cattle farm at The Sisters about three hours west of Melbourne, said his fodder stocks ran out six weeks ago. 'We're definitely not going to be okay,' he told A Current Affair. 'It could very easily get worse over the next three months.' Mr Knight said hay in bale form was 'virtually non-existent' in Victoria, as he tries to feed 1350 pregnant females and 1250 young stock. He became emotional speaking about the impact the crisis had on his young family. 'I can only start to think that seeing husbands or wives that aren't sleeping or stressed would be challenging for them,' he said. 'We're very fortunate to have water at the moment … there are a heap of people who are worse off than us.' Dairy farmer Bernie Free has had to source 12 loads of water to his property since February alone, a period when he would normally bring in only two or three per year. Mr Free told A Current Affair, however, what he needed most was hay. 'We buy it off a fella that delivers it as well, and at the moment he can't source any for us,' he said. 'We need hay, and it's not available. We need the government talking to us about what the other solutions are. 'I think we're going to offload another 50 (cattle) in the next two or three weeks.' Premier Jacinta Allan recently announced her government would commit another $37.7 million to its drought support fund as the crisis deepened. It came after Agriculture Victoria revealed rainfall in May realised the worst-case scenario, with most of the state receiving just 20 per cent or less of the average typical rainfall expected in May over the past two weeks. 'The increasingly devastating effects of drought aren't confined by postcode or region – its impacting farmers across Victoria. It's why we're expanding support statewide,' Ms Allan said. 'The new Taskforce will bring together Victorians from different communities, different backgrounds and different political parties. Most importantly, it'll be focused on delivering real relief for farming communities.' Mr Hosking has been appointed a member of Victoria's drought response task force. Biosecurity concerns have made sourcing hay from other states complicated, with concerns over the green snail found in Western Australia making its way to Victoria in fodder. 'We're looking at opportunities to bring some from Western Australia, which has a whole lot of challenges amongst it, or from Queensland or looking at 'can we get it offshore?',' he said. 'There's some real critical conversations happening at the moment that have never happened before.' He said overcoming the fodder shortage would be just one step in a long road ahead for the state's farmers. 'How do they recover their pastures? How can they rebuild their farms? How can they restock stock they'd have to sell as well? 'So they're our next challenges.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community raises concerns on possible Geisinger Cancer Treatment Center
EAST BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, UNION COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Geisinger Cancer Treatment Center is coming to Union County, but not everyone is happy about it. The land, which was once going to be a Giant distribution center, is now planned to become a treatment center. Borough officials say the current plan includes one building bringing in around 300 cars per day. Residents say they're worried about how the new project could bring a lot of traffic to Route 15. 'Because of where it is located and because of how fast the speed is on that hill, it's going to be nothing but a death trap,' East Buffalo Township resident Tina Prowant said. Wilkes-Barre now better prepared for floods 'I think the main concern is traffic safety because it's on Route 15. Giant had proposed building a supermarket on this site back in the 2000s. This is very different, it's not going to be anywhere near the traffic volume that the supermarket would create,' East Buffalo Township Chair of Board Supervisors James Knight explained. The borough believes land development has already been approved, and the project is considered an appropriate use for the site. The final step now is for Geisinger to apply for zoning and building permits. Once those are in place, construction can begin. The land is currently being cleared and graded. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
