ISRAEL AT WARIDF uncovers covert 'Avatar' network targeting Israeli soldiers for information
ISRAEL AT WAR
IDF uncovers covert 'Avatar' network targeting Israeli soldiers for information
Through a network of fake profiles on social networks, hostile agents attempted to extract real-time information about the army's activities from IDF soldiers
In recent days, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully dismantled an elaborate 'Avatar' infrastructure operated by agents from countries hostile to Israel, who were working on behalf of Hamas. Their aim was to extract sensitive information from IDF soldiers, particularly those on active duty and in the reserves. The IDF's information security system played a crucial role in neutralizing this threat.
According to the IDF, this covert infrastructure deployed numerous profiles on social networks with the primary objective of gathering classified information about IDF operations and personnel. The agents behind these profiles used authentic images and employed various tactics, such as engaging in text conversations, recording voice messages, and conducting video calls, to establish connections with young men of military service age.
What set this operation apart was the creation of intricate personas around each avatar, including 'parents,' 'siblings,' and 'friends,' designed to bolster the credibility of the fake profiles within their social networks. The network consisted of dozens of profiles, with a particular emphasis on platforms like Instagram. It had the potential to reach hundreds to thousands of IDF soldiers in both regular service and reserves. The IDF's information security system operates continuously, not only in routine scenarios but also during active operations to systematically detect and thwart such deceptive infrastructures.
The threat posed by these covert operations is substantial, making it imperative for IDF officials to remain highly vigilant and employ advanced technological monitoring measures.
The state of war in the region broke out on October 7th when hundreds of murderous terrorists from the terrorist organization Hamas broke through the border from the Gaza Strip and carried out a heinous massacre of innocent Israeli civilians inside Israeli territory. In the brutal massacres, at least 1,400 Israelis were murdered - babies, children, women and the elderly - adopting tactics reminiscent of ISIS.
Thousands more were injured and over 200 women, children, babies, seniors and soldiers were abducted by Hamas to the Gaza Strip, with the intent of using them as bargaining chips against Israel. In response, the IDF has been attacking the terrorist infrastructure of the jihadist Hamas organization in Gaza for more than three weeks in an attempt to collapse its hold on the Palestinian population in Gaza, and to eliminate the terrorist threats to the Israeli cities and towns that border of the Gaza Strip.
