Lebanese authorities were taken by surprise on September 17, 2024, as a shocking incident unfolded involving Hezbollah members and their pagers. The simultaneous explosion of hundreds of these seemingly outdated devices resulted in nine fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries, leaving the nation in a state of alarm and confusion.
This event not only shed light on the vulnerability of old-school technology to cyber-physical attacks but also raised concerns about the potential risks posed to more modern devices, such as smartphones. While many were astonished by the attack on pagers, it prompted discussions about the vulnerability of smartphones to similar forms of attacks, sparking fear among the public.
Hezbollah’s choice to still use pagers, despite the prevalence of smartphones, stems from the devices’ secure and simple communication capabilities. Pagers operate independently from the internet and cellular networks, making them harder to hack, track, or surveil. This level of security was believed to be sufficient until the recent devastating explosions unfolded, revealing the dangers even older technology faces in the digital age.
The exact method behind the orchestrated pager explosions remains murky, with theories suggesting deliberate tampering with the devices’ lithium-ion batteries. By manipulating these power sources to overheat, a process called thermal runaway can occur, resulting in rapid heat buildup and potential explosions. Additionally, speculations emerged linking Israeli intelligence and the Mossad spy agency to the explosive sabotage, claiming that explosives were embedded into the pagers during the manufacturing process, leading to the tragic events in Lebanon.
The notion of supply chain infiltration and the potential for similar threats highlight the escalating risks of technological sabotage, even within devices lacking internet connectivity. The idea that vulnerabilities could be embedded in technology at the manufacturing stage, as seen with the pagers, raises concerns about broader implications across various devices, including smartphones.
While incidents of intentional hacking leading to smartphone explosions are rare, the theoretical possibility exists. Smartphone vulnerabilities, whether in hardware or software, could potentially be exploited by hackers to cause overheating, fires, or explosions. With smartphones operating on complex systems susceptible to malware infiltration, the risk of intentional attacks causing harm to devices is a worrying concern for cybersecurity experts and the general population.
The future of cyber-physical attacks remains uncertain, with the integration of technology into daily life creating new avenues for potential threats. The challenge lies in securing supply chains, monitoring hardware integrity, and ensuring that connected devices cannot be weaponized for malicious purposes. As the world adapts to a digital landscape, the need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard against such attacks becomes increasingly critical for protecting individuals, organizations, and nations.