{
  "id": 13709572,
  "title": "Hackers use security cameras to track troops, military targets in Israel, Ukraine - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/hackers-use-security-cameras-to-track-troops-military-targets-in",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-11T12:14:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-911309"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Internet-connected security cameras and webcams are being increasingly compromised and repurposed as military intelligence tools, according to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal. Governments and hackers are capitalizing on vulnerabilities in devices initially designed for home, business, and public space security. Roughly 1.2 billion internet-connected cameras operate globally, providing a vast network of potential intelligence-gathering devices.\n\nInstances of compromised cameras have emerged in several conflicts, including those between Israel and Iran, as well as Russia and Ukraine. The issue has gained attention among military and civilian cybersecurity authorities, who are warning of the risks posed by civilian surveillance systems being repurposed as intelligence assets.\n\nIn Israel, the National Cyber Directorate has issued warnings to homeowners and businesses about the vulnerability of surveillance equipment during the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict. Iranian hackers reportedly compromised parking and road cameras to monitor prominent Israelis, while also accessing a street camera overlooking the Weizmann Institute of Science shortly before a missile strike. The directorate blocked 50 camera-hacking attempts that could have led to broader network intrusions.\n\nIsraeli intelligence agencies reportedly infiltrated Tehran's traffic camera network to monitor senior Iranian officials and gather information for military operations against Iran, including the operation that killed then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Russia and Ukraine have also exploited compromised surveillance systems to obtain battlefield intelligence, monitoring military activity and improving their understanding of enemy positions and operations.\n\nCybersecurity experts caution that many connected cameras are installed without adequate safeguards or ongoing maintenance. Unlike computers and smartphones, which receive regular security updates, cameras often lack these protective measures. The widespread availability of internet-connected cameras creates opportunities for intelligence collection far from traditional military installations, with artificial intelligence potentially enhancing the usefulness of compromised camera networks.",
  "summary": "One incident highlighted in the investigation involved a poultry farmer in northern Israel who discovered that the language settings on a camera overlooking his chicken coop had changed to Arabic.",
  "key_points": [
    "National Cyber Directorate warns of camera vulnerabilities during June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict.",
    "Russia and Ukraine exploit compromised surveillance systems for battlefield intelligence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}