Terrorist Attack Texts And Calls Are Fake, Israel Warns
Israel shelter during missile attack
An ongoing 'psychological warfare' campaign is ongoing, Israeli authorities warn, aiming to keep citizens away from bomb shelters for fear of terrorist attacks. The calls and texts claimed to originate from IDF's Home Front Command's 'OREFAlert.'
'Officials believe these threats are part of a psychological warfare campaign orchestrated by Iranian or pro-Iranian groups,' reports The Jerusalem Post, 'aiming to sow widespread panic during the ongoing military campaign against Iran.'
Unlike other call and text attacks now surging around the world, these are pure disinformation — there are no dangerous phishing or malware links. The intent is to trick recipients into ignoring usual government advice as Iranian attacks continue.
These malicious calls and texts come as the cyber dimension to the ongoing conflict escalates. Cybersecurity firm Radware has warned it's part of a wider campaign, with 'a dramatic 700% increase in cyberattacks targeting Israel in the two days following June 12, coinciding with the commencement of Israel's military strikes on Iran.'
Fake incoming call.
Per Ynet News, 'officials stress calls are fake and part of a coordinated effort to spread misinformation; they urge the public not to follow any instructions provided in the calls or click on the links mentioned.' It reports that 'messages told recipients to 'prepare for an emergency,' sometimes 'directing them to visit a website for further instructions.'
Echoing more benign warnings from U.S. law enforcement and major technology companies, Israel's Home Front Command warns 'it does not contact citizens by phone with emergency instructions unless the individual initiated contact.'
The Post says 'since Operation Rising Lion began last Friday, cybersecurity firm Check Point has reported over 2,000 threatening emails targeting Israeli institutions, including universities, local municipalities, and healthcare organizations. Messages included threats such as, 'Prepare for bitter death, dig your graves'."
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