Watan – The Israeli company Security Joe has uncovered a new type of destructive malware known as a Wiper, which is capable of erasing computer systems and rendering them inoperative. This malicious software is suspected to be utilized by hackers acting on behalf of Hamas or those associated with the group.
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the malware has been identified in several Israeli corporate networks, where it has caused considerable damage wherever activated.
The malicious program is named BiBi-Linux Wiper, a nod to the file names it destroys. Additionally, the word BiBi is encoded with the name of the victim itself. The newspaper speculates that the hackers might be trying to send a message through this act, although it’s unclear whether this is merely a phishing attempt or an effort to conceal the source’s tracks.
The features of this malware are reminiscent of advanced cyber weapons previously developed by states, with the most famous example being ‘Shamoon’, a malicious program used by Iranian elements to attack computer systems across the Middle East. It is suspected of being based on a cyber weapon used nearly a decade ago by Israel and the United States against Iranian targets.
Developing such sophisticated malware typically requires advanced capabilities not usually found in activist groups or even cyber groups affiliated with “terrorist organizations,” as the newspaper describes.
According to Edo Naor, CEO of Security Joe, “We’ve identified a security breach in a group that aligns with Hamas’s objectives. Hamas could possess such developmental capabilities, but we are still investigating the group’s capacities.”
The malware was identified after the company was asked to assist Israeli companies attacked as part of its voluntary efforts in the wake of the Gaza war.
The use of such destructive programs indicates an increase in the capabilities of hackers supporting Hamas. No longer are they merely defacing websites, hacking email inboxes, or stealing data; their activities now represent serious potential to inflict substantial damage on any company or institution affected by this type of harm.