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Cybersecurity tips needed as Middle East tensions escalate

ended 18. June 2025

A journalist at the Mail Online / Thisismoney is looking for tips from cybersecurity and money experts as to how to protect your finances against a possible rise in hacking as tensions in the Middle East grow and state-sponsored hacks, some experts say, become more common. It's a broad piece so any insights and intel, send it across ASAP. Deadline is 2pm but the sooner you respond, the more likely you'll make it in.



 

3 responses from the Newspage community

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Tony Redondo
Founder at Cosmos Currency Exchange
There are several bad actors, including Iran with their Lemon Sandstorm cyberattack, as well as Russia, China, and North Korea, active at any one time. Combine tech defences like using multi-factor authentication, using strong, unique passwords, and VPNs with vigilance. Be wary of clicking on links in emails. Only verify via official channels. Update software, limit data sharing, monitor accounts, and only use trusted apps. Financial Tips include diversifying accounts to limit exposure, contacting credit agencies to freeze your credit to prevent hackers from opening up accounts in your name, investing in verified cybersecurity tools and backup data regularly to counter ransomware.
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Kundan Bhaduri
Entrepreneur, Investor and Landlord at The Kushman Group
Before I became a property entrepreneur, I ran cybersecurity and tech risk at some of the world’s most security-obsessed banks, so when I say the threat is real, I mean it. With Middle East tensions rising and Iranian cyber units on high alert, British businesses and households are now frontline targets. Cyberwar today begins with a dodgy email, not a missile. A single phishing click can freeze your finances, drain your accounts, or hold your private data hostage. The basics aren’t optional anymore: turn on two-factor authentication, back up everything offline, and audit your digital footprint like it’s a tax return in front of HMRC. Your staff, down to the intern, must be alert—because one well-crafted email can take down your entire operation. Iran’s cyber army doesn’t care whether you run a family bakery or a fintech startup. If it’s vulnerable, it’s fair game. Leave your defences down, and you might as well hang a “come and get it” sign on your bank account.
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Richard O'Connor
Director at First Mats
As the technical director of a small firm, cybersecurity is part of my daily role. Hacking often feels like a distant threat or something we can’t control, but in reality, most breaches rely on people unknowingly opening the door. A common tactic is phishing - emails pretending to be from your bank or a trusted service, claiming there’s an issue that needs urgent action. You’re directed to a login page that looks authentic, but it’s a clever fake designed to steal your credentials. Always access important sites directly through the app or official website, never via links. Enable two-factor authentication where possible, and never share the passcode with anyone. Another key defence is staff awareness. Every employee should understand the risks from day one. Limit access to critical systems or data only to those who truly need it. (Let me know if you want more tips or context)