TLDR: Laptop Warriors – Who Are Hamas’ ‘Green Hat Hackers’, and Why They Terrify Israel

Key Points:

• Hamas’ ‘Green Hat Hackers’ have become one of the most formidable cyberforces in the Middle East
• They have used simple means like the ‘Golden Cup’ app to remotely execute code on smartphones and extract sensitive information
• Hamas’ cyber unit is talent-oriented and relies on human intelligence rather than advanced technology
• The unit was established in 2012 but remained secret until October 2022
• The unit played a major role in the success of the October 7 Al-Aqsa Flood operation
• They have infiltrated Israeli websites and obtained sensitive data, including information about foreign soldiers in the Israeli military
• Hamas’ cyberwork has been described as sophisticated, despite using relatively simple means

Hamas’ ‘Green Hat Hackers’ have emerged as a formidable cyberforce in the Middle East, using simple means to execute complex cyber attacks on Israel. The group has used tactics like the ‘Golden Cup’ app to remotely execute code on smartphones and extract sensitive information. The group’s cyber unit is talent-oriented, relying on human intelligence rather than advanced technology. The unit was established in 2012 but remained secret until October 2022. They played a major role in the success of the October 7 Al-Aqsa Flood operation, infiltrating Israeli websites and obtaining sensitive data. Despite using relatively simple means, their cyberwork has been described as sophisticated.