US medical technology company Stryker faced a big cyberattack. This attack made many of its systems stop working around the world. A group of hackers, who support Iran, said they were responsible for the attack.
The hacking group, known as Handala, stated they got into the company's servers. They caused major problems in its global network. The group said the attack was a response to attacks against Iran and its allies.
Company Systems Disrupted Worldwide
The Handala group posted on the platform 'X'. They said the attack erased data from many systems. Hacker logos appeared on some company login pages. The group claimed they wiped over 200,000 devices and servers. They also said they took about 50 terabytes of sensitive data. This, they claimed, stopped the company's operations in 79 countries. TechCrunch reported this information, and Arabia Business saw the report.
Company Confirms Cyberattack
Stryker confirmed a network disruption. They explained that the attack targeted Microsoft Windows and Microsoft environments in their systems. The company stated in a release that the incident caused a 'global network disruption.' However, they noted they have no signs of ransomware or malware yet. Their technical teams are working to restore systems and services as quickly as possible.
Political Background of the Attack
The Handala group mentioned that the attack was a response. They claimed it was retaliation for a bombing that hit a girls' school in Tehran, Iran. The group alleges this attack caused many casualties. However, there is no direct link between Stryker and military attacks. Still, the company operates in Israel. Last year, the US Department of Defense gave Stryker a $450 million contract to supply medical devices to the military.
Increasing Activity of Handala Group
According to IBM X-Force Exchange, a platform that tracks cyber threats, the Handala group appeared after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, they have conducted several operations. These targeted civilian infrastructure and energy companies in the Middle East. They also targeted Western organizations. The group uses various attack methods. These include phishing, data-wiping malware, and blackmailing companies by leaking stolen information.
Warnings of Escalating Cyberattacks
In a recent report, cybersecurity company Check Point Software Technologies said the group has increased its operations. This happened since recent tensions in Iran began. They are targeting systems with weak security. They release stolen data at specific times to increase political and media pressure.