Full coverage· Security· Updated 15:30

Cyber Attacks Surge 82% Against Israeli Government Ahead of Elections

Cybersecurity firm Check Point has reported a significant surge in cyberattacks and foreign influence operations targeting Israel in the weeks leading up to the elections. In the first weeks of October, Israeli organizations faced an average of 2,700 weekly cyberattack attempts, representing a 55% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The government sector experienced an 82% rise with approximately 2,300 weekly attacks per entity, while the energy and infrastructure sector saw the highest jump of 107%, averaging 3,900 weekly attempts.

3 newsrooms · 1 language · since 13:15

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What happened

01Cyberattacks on Israeli government entities surged by 82% to an average of 2,300 weekly attempts ahead of the elections.
02Overall weekly cyberattacks on Israeli organizations rose 55% to 2,700 attempts, while the energy and infrastructure sector saw a 107% increase.
03Over 1,200 new election-related websites were identified, with one in 47 suspected of malicious phishing or data theft operations.
04Iranian and other anti-Israeli groups are leaking sensitive documents, including correspondence of public officials and files from IDF bases.
05Dark web discussions reveal coordinated plans by activist groups to launch DDoS attacks to disrupt key government websites on election day.
06Check Point recorded 87 successful cyberattacks since early October, which mostly resulted in website outages or defacement.
07Past voter data leaks from 2020 and security force data from last year are being recirculated and offered for sale online.

Researchers identified over 1,200 new election-related websites created in the past two months, with one in every 47 suspected of malicious intent. These include sophisticated phishing sites designed to steal personal data, such as ID numbers and addresses, by impersonating official voter information systems. Additionally, anti-Israeli and Iranian attack groups have intensified their public activity, leaking sensitive information including correspondence from public officials, documents from IDF bases, and recirculating past voter data from 2020 and military data from last year.

Discussions on the dark web and public internet reveal plans by activist groups to execute distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on election day. These planned disruptions aim to take down key government websites, voter registration systems, polling station management apps, and real-time results platforms. Check Point has identified 87 successful attacks since early October, which mostly resulted in temporary website outages or defacement. Experts urge organizations to bolster their defenses and advise the public to verify information through official channels.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 18:13

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