In a shocking turn of events, local officials in Lebanon and Syria have confirmed a series of deadly pager explosions, claiming the lives of at least sixteen people and injuring over 3,000. The explosions, which reportedly shook both countries, were preceded by the pagers heating up significantly before detonating.
Multiple reports suggest the pagers were used by members of Hezbollah and that the explosions were a deliberate attack by Israel. However, The Wall Street Journal reports that the pagers were recently imported and that malware could have caused the lithium-ion batteries to overheat and explode.
Australian shadow cyber security minister, James Paterson, has labeled the event a “very sophisticated and very patient attack.” He believes the novelty of this attack will force intelligence agencies worldwide to reconsider their strategies for preventing and potentially executing such attacks.
The Wall Street Journal states that the pagers exploded simultaneously at 3:30 pm local time. While malware is a strong contender for the cause, The Register points out that if malware were to blame, the pagers would have first exhibited signs of malfunction, such as smoking, sparking, and flames, before exploding. The publication speculates that the pagers may have been intercepted during their delivery route.
The incident has raised significant concerns regarding cybersecurity and the potential for malicious attacks using seemingly innocuous everyday objects. As investigations continue, the world watches with bated breath, seeking answers to this perplexing and devastating tragedy.
