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Israel Ranks Second in Global Cyberattack Targets, U.S. Leads

Israel Ranks Second in Global Cyberattack Targets, U.S. Leads

First seen 1 Oct 2026, 18:05 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 1, 2026 at 21:05 UTC
  • •Israel is the second-most targeted country for cyberattacks, following the U.S.
  • •Iran is the main state-backed actor behind cyber operations targeting Israel.
  • •AI is increasingly used by attackers to enhance the sophistication of cyber campaigns.

According to Microsoft's Annual Cyber Defense Report, Israel was the second-most targeted country for cyberattacks, accounting for 7.6% of global cyber threat activity from July 2025 to June 2026. The U.S. topped the list with 25.5%. Iran was identified as the primary state-backed source of these attacks, responsible for 39% of the activity directed at Israel. The report highlights the increasing use of artificial intelligence by attackers to enhance the scale and sophistication of their operations, including personalized phishing attempts and automated attacks. The report also notes a shift towards more disruptive capabilities, such as data wipers and operational technology disruptions. Israel's position reflects ongoing regional tensions and military escalations, particularly involving Iranian state-linked actors. The report emphasizes the convergence of cyberattacks with kinetic military actions and foreign influence operations, posing significant risks to critical infrastructure and national security.

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Timeline

2026-10-01
Microsoft report published
Microsoft's Annual Cyber Defense Report reveals Israel's cyber threat activity ranking and highlights Iranian cyber operations.
Calcalistech

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Common questions

What countries are most targeted?
The U.S. leads with 25.5%, followed by Israel at 7.6%, Ukraine at 4.8%, and Taiwan at 3.9%.
Who is behind the attacks on Israel?
Iranian state-backed actors are the primary source of cyber operations targeting Israel.
What role does AI play in these attacks?
AI is used to enhance the scale and sophistication of attacks, including phishing and automation.