Iranian hackers targeted hundreds of US defense officials in social media scam

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ANI Washington
Last Updated : May 30 2014 | 12:55 PM IST

A group of Iranian hackers has reportedly hit hundreds of current and former high ranking officials including a four-star admiral, with a creative social media scam.

According to The Washington Times, hackers used social-media sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to draw their targets and then lure them to check out a bogus news site, NewsOnAir.org, filled with foreign policy and defense articles.

They hoped that the social-media platform would connect the hackers to those who are at top of public policy, and position them to tab into that information network, the report said.

The hackers wanted intelligence information that could give them insights into U.S. and U.S.-Israeli military operations.

However, it is not clear what data the hackers may have stolen but they did find that the NewsOnAir.org site is registered in Tehran, the report added.

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First Published: May 30 2014 | 12:39 PM IST

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