Security Experts say that Israeli Road Tunnel Hit by Major Cyberattack

Ynetnews.com reported on 27th October, 2013 quoting security experts as saying "the malfunctions which have taken place in the Carmel tunnels in Haifa, Israel, on September 2013, was a result of a sophisticated cyber assault."

An expert revealed that the attack against the Carmel Tunnels on 8th September, 2013 actually came in two waves. The hackers targeted the Tunnel's surveillance camera system with a computer Trojan horse which put the roadway into an immediate lockdown mode shutting it down for twenty minutes. Next day in the heavy morning rush hour, the attackers managed to break in for even longer period thus shutting the entire system for eight hours causing massive congestion.

According to experts, the investigators believe that the cyberattack was carried out by unknown sophisticated hackers. This attack was similar to the attack by Anonymous hacking group on Israel websites in the month of April 2013. They also revealed that the attacks were the work of a government of a rival country, like Iran, as they were not sophisticated enough.

As per the experts, the National Cyber Bureau of Israel that reports to the prime minister, was aware of the incident. In response to the allegations, the bureau denied any involvement, while Carmelton, the company which oversees the toll road, blamed a "communication glitch" for the mishap.

Amidst the frequent attacks on Israel, the attack on the tunnel has been rated as the most high-profile attack. It is a major thoroughfare for Israel's third-largest city Haifa and the city is planning to use the tunnel as a public shelter in case of any emergency.

Timesofisrael.com reported on 27th October, 2013 quoting a public speech by Military Chief of Israel Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz that Israel's future battles may begin with a cyber-attack on websites providing services to the Israeli citizens on day-to-day basis. This could have adverse affects on functioning of Traffic lights and banks.

Although Israel is hit by many cyber attacks, it does not mean that it does not have hacking group. For example: According to a document from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, Mossad intelligence agency of Israel may have been behind the hacking of former French President Nicholas Sarkozy's communication network in 2012.

» SPAMfighter News - 11/2/2013