Iran has attempted to hack numerous US and Israeli defence technology companies and global maritime transportation firms, Microsoft said on Monday.
The suspected Iranian hackers successfully breached fewer than 20 of more than 250 organisations subject to the attack on Microsoft Office 365 users.
Microsoft concluded Iran was behind the attack because the activity “supports the national interests” of Iran and aligns with the techniques and targets of other hacks originating in the country.
The software firm said it first became aware of the hack in late July.
The hack “supports Iranian government tracking of adversary security services and maritime shipping in the Middle East to enhance their contingency plans,” it said.
“Gaining access to commercial satellite imagery and proprietary shipping plans and logs could help Iran compensate for its developing satellite programme.”
The hack was not said to have been sophisticated. Attackers used a technique known as “password spraying” in which they repeatedly try to compromise accounts by using a series of common and frequently used passwords.
The targets were defence companies that work with the US, EU and the Israeli government to supply military-grade radars, drone technology, satellite systems and emergency response communication systems. All of the maritime and cargo transportation firms that were targeted maintain a business presence in the Middle East.
A trove of data
Organisations operating at regional ports of entry to the Arabian Gulf were attacked. Other targets included Microsoft customers working in geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analytics.
A successful hack it would have elicited a trove of valuable data.
In recent months, tensions in the region have simmered as tanker attacks and maritime incidents in the Arabian Gulf have increased.
In August, two crew members were killed after an attack on an Israeli-managed tanker off Oman. The US, Israel and Britain all blamed Iran for the attack. One week later, maritime security experts blamed Iranian-backed forces for the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of the UAE. Iran has denied responsibility for both attacks.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
