The Israel National Cyber Directorate released a report today (Sunday), noting that 2023 saw a 43% increase in hostile digital and cyber efforts compared to 2022.
The report further noted that some 800 potentially significant cyber events were blocked or contained between October 7 and the end of 2023, and some 68% of reported dangerous cyber incidents took place after October 7.
About two thirds of such reports mentioned efforts to hack social media and WhatsApp accounts (41%) or fishing efforts (25%), with about 13% being reported efforts to hack computing systems themselves.
The report noted that the main target of attacks were digital service providers, as these are connected to many different systems. These are followed by devices in the finances, communications, national government, and local government.
As the war continued, efforts to cause damage and havoc increased compared to efforts to spread enemy propaganda. An increase of Iran and Hezbollah-affiliated attackers was also identified as the war continued.