News

Attempted cyber hacking ‘hijack’ of El Al flight

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2024

Ahron Young

A potential disaster was averted when pilots of an El Al 787 Dreamliner successfully thwarted a cyberattack attempting to divert the aircraft off its course to Tel Aviv.

Quick-thinking pilots prevented a cyberattack from diverting an El Al flight from its destination.
Suspicious instructions were disobeyed, and communication methods were switched, averting a potential disaster.
The incident underscores the importance of pilots being trained to handle communication interruptions professionally.

Reports emerged over the weekend detailing a cyberattack on an El Al airliner operating a flight between Bangkok, Thailand, and Tel Aviv, Israel. The cyber terrorists aimed to divert the aircraft but were stopped in their tracks by vigilant pilots, ensuring the safe landing of the aircraft in Tel Aviv.

Textbook Response

According to the Jerusalem Post, “hostile elements” attempted to seize control of an El Al flight’s communication network during its journey from Phuket International Airport in Thailand to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport.

This cyberattack was the second such incident within the past week.

During the attack, the flight crew received instructions deviating from their planned route.

However, the pilots, recognising the irregularity, defied the instructions and swiftly switched to alternative communication methods.

They cross-verified the information with other air traffic controllers, thus preventing the potential diversion of the flight.

Situation Averted

The incident could have had severe consequences, including endangering the aircraft or even leading to a kidnapping scenario. An El Al source highlighted that pilots had been briefed on how to handle such situations professionally, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.

Flight tracking data confirms the departure and arrival times of the El Al flight, indicating that despite the delay in departure, the aircraft landed in Tel Aviv only slightly behind schedule.

El Al emphasized that the disruptions were not targeted specifically at their planes and reassured that this was not a security breach.

The airline commended the professionalism of its pilots, whose quick thinking and actions allowed the flight to proceed without deviation.

The incident underscores the growing threat of cyberattacks on aviation infrastructure and the critical role of well-trained pilots in mitigating such risks.

As technology continues to advance, airlines must remain vigilant and prioritize cybersecurity measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew.

News

Russia bans WhatsApp and promotes state-backed messaging app

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

Published

17 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

The Kremlin has officially blocked WhatsApp, urging Russians to switch to MAX, a state-backed messaging app. This move comes after Meta refused to comply with local regulations, sparking debates over digital freedom in the country.

Critics warn that MAX could be used for government surveillance, though authorities deny these claims. The ban highlights Russia’s growing control over foreign tech platforms and its push for locally regulated alternatives.

Activists in Moscow have staged protests calling for an open and unregulated internet, while the public reacts with a mix of concern and resignation.

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News

U.S. secretly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran after protests

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

Published

17 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

U.S. officials report that the Trump administration covertly sent around 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following widespread protests. The move was designed to bypass strict internet blackouts imposed by authorities in Tehran.

The terminals reportedly enabled activists and dissidents to reconnect with the outside world during periods of severe digital restriction, raising fresh questions about foreign involvement and cyber strategy.

As geopolitical tensions simmer, the revelation underscores how connectivity has become a powerful tool in modern conflict.

#Iran #Starlink #DonaldTrump #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #TechNews #InternetFreedom #BreakingNews

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News

Anthropic secures 30 billion in fresh funding as valuation surges

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Published

17 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Anthropic has secured a staggering $30 billion in fresh funding, catapulting its valuation to $380 billion and cementing its place among the most valuable AI companies in the world. The raise marks the second-largest private technology funding round ever, trailing only OpenAI’s $40 billion deal.

Major backers in this latest round include Singapore’s GIC and Coatue Management, alongside existing heavyweight partners Microsoft and Nvidia. The scale of the investment underscores intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence as capital continues to flood into the sector.

Anthropic’s valuation has more than doubled in just five months, fuelled by rapid enterprise growth. The company now works with eight of the Fortune 10 and boasts more than 500 customers spending over $1 million annually, highlighting surging demand for advanced AI tools across corporate America.

#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Anthropic #TechNews #VentureCapital #BigTech #Innovation #Startups