Israel’s Security Agency and the National Cyber Directorate revealed Wednesday that they have stopped hundreds of attempted cyberattacks over the last year that were orchestrated by Iranian intelligence operatives.

The agencies said the operations were directed at high-ranking government and defense officials, academics, journalists, and personnel within the defense sector. In a joint announcement, they reported a significant increase in hostile online activity that began around the time of Operation Rising Lion.

According to the statement, the objective behind the cyber efforts was to obtain both personal and professional information that could be used for terrorism, espionage, and influence campaigns. Investigators determined that the attackers mainly relied on “targeted phishing” methods, sending customized messages while posing as trusted or recognizable contacts.

Those targeted were prompted to click on links or download attachments, which allowed the attackers to capture login details and authentication codes for services including Google, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Gaining such information would grant access to private correspondence and stored data.

Over recent months, the ISA and the National Cyber Directorate said they worked to counter these efforts by delivering focused warnings, blocking harmful activity, and providing guidance to potential targets on reinforcing their account protections. They also launched public awareness initiatives aimed at communities considered vulnerable.

The agencies called on the public — especially individuals with access to sensitive material — to activate two-factor authentication, exercise caution when approached by unknown contacts, and refrain from sharing personal information or opening suspicious links. They further advised users to enroll in the enhanced security programs recently made available by Google and WhatsApp.