Dark Web Profile: Haghjoyan – SOCRadar

Threat intelligence enriched with External Attack Surface Management, Brand Protection, and Dark Web Radar.
Protect your business from the dangers lurking in the hidden corners of the internet.
Effective threat hunting and threat actor tracking with behavioral analytics.
Discover your assets with a hacker mindset.
Stay ahead of threat actors with actionable intelligence alerts.
Evaluate the security posture of your entire supply network.
Your guide in harnessing the full potential of our platform.
Hear SOCRadar’s impressive achievements from our clients.
Automate and operationalize your security operations.
Consulting and professional services for cybersecurity excellence.
Industry, sector, and region-based in-depth research.
Discover the heartbeat of cyberspace through a collection showcasing the latest incidents.
Discover how XTI empowers organizations to proactively identify, mitigate, and respond to evolving cyber threats.
Register for our live webinars, and watch our on-demand webinars instantly.
Dive deep into the world of cyber threats, advanced analysis techniques, and cutting-edge strategies.
Stay informed and up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity trends.
Explore SOCRadar’s learning experience to fuel your cybersecurity journey with insights that exceed industry standards.
We offer expert-led, and exclusive trainings to help you master the latest in cybersecurity, trusted by over 2,000 top companies.
Scan the dark web to prevent your leaks from turning into real risks.
Instantly access dark web findings about your organization’s assets.
Check if there is anything about you in SOCRadar’s ever-expanding breach database.
Track threat actors and groups by country or industry for effective follow-up.
Explore threat actors’ tactics, techniques, activities, and detailed profiles targeting your industry or region.
All-in-one next-generation tools for investigating everyday events like phishing, malware, account breach, etc.
Power your search with SOCRadar’s IOC Radar.
Let’s get to know each other better.
Broaden your market reach and increase ARR with SOCRadar Extended Threat Intelligence.
Get informed of our upcoming events.
Latest news about our platform, company, and what’s being said about us.
Begin an extraordinary journey in your professional path with SOCRadar.
We’d like to hear from you.
SOCRadar Training Series – Mastering AI in Cybersecurity From Theory to Practice
Resources
The Haghjoyan hacker group, self-identifying as the Iranian cyber army, emerged at the forefront of cyber warfare during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Their presence, prominently appearing on their Telegram channel, distinguishes them as one of the few groups openly declaring Iranian affiliation. This declaration is significant, as it sets Haghjoyan apart from many possible nation-sponsored or endorsed groups that often operate in secrecy.
With fluctuating 25,000 followers on Telegram, yet having previously surpassed 40,000 subscribers, Haghjoyan demonstrates a determined effort to maintain its online presence amidst potential bans and restrictions.
Threat Actor Card of Haghhoyan
The Haghjoyan group emerged during the intense period of the Israel-Hamas conflict, marking a new entrant in cyber warfare. This group, proclaiming themselves as “Iran’s cyber army,” set a distinctive tone from the outset, openly associating themselves with Iran. This explicit declaration of their national affiliation is a notable divergence from the typical anonymity maintained by many cyber warfare groups.
Haghjoyan’s early activities were primarily focused on Israel, aligning with the broader conflict narrative. Their presence on Telegram, a platform often used by such groups for communication and propaganda, has been dynamic, with their follower count varying significantly over time. This fluctuation, combined with efforts to circumvent platform bans, indicates a dedicated attempt to sustain their influence and reach.
The group, which did not want to lose its Telegram channels again, claims that it is for educational purposes and shares “world news.”
However, what they do brighter than mockup channel info is a logical solution to both avoid ban hammer and prevent automatic scrapes. They write words such as hacker, fake, target, and fight by censoring them.
The group’s self-identification and evolving online strategy provide insight into their motivations and objectives in the cyber domain, setting the stage for their subsequent operations and tactics.
Haghjoyan’s cyber operations are characterized by a diverse array of tactics, primarily focusing on data leaks, defacement attacks, and propaganda. Their activities showcase a blend of cyber warfare techniques aimed at causing disruption and spreading their message.
Data Leaks and Sales
Haghjoyan is known for leaking sensitive data, including information related to U.S. military personnel, which they offer for sale in exchange for Bitcoin. This approach of monetizing stolen data indicates a sophisticated understanding of the cybercrime ecosystem.
Even though they think they are doing the right and just actions, they do not hesitate to sell data in exchange for money.
Defacement Attacks
The group frequently engages in website defacements, a tactic that serves both as a means of disruption and a tool for propaganda. These defacements often carry messages aligning with their political stance. Their first attack was on various websites, which we also stated in our reflections blog.
Geopolitical Alignment
Haghjoyan’s activities and public statements suggest sympathy towards Russia, mirroring Iran’s current political discourse. This geopolitical alignment hints at potential future collaborations with Russian groups targeting Israel and the US.
Propaganda Efforts
They use their cyberattacks and public channels like Telegram for propaganda purposes, reinforcing their political messages and objectives.
The operations of Haghjoyan, spanning various cyber tactics, reflect a multi-faceted approach to cyber warfare, intertwined with the broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The Haghjoyan hacker group has claimed responsibility for a series of significant cyberattacks, underscoring their capabilities and objectives:
Israeli Red Alert Emergency Response System: In one of their first notable attacks, Haghjoyan claimed to have targeted the Israeli Red Alert Emergency Response system, demonstrating their focus on critical communication infrastructures.
VNC Systems and Infrastructure Attacks: The group also claimed to have attacked several VNC systems controlling Israeli water pumps, electricity distribution units, and gas stations just like other alleged Iranian groups. This highlights their ability to target and potentially disrupt essential services and infrastructure.
Data Exfiltration and Malware Deployment: Haghjoyan claimed to have infected over 5,000 Israeli computer users with malware and exfiltrated over 2 TB of data, indicating their possible proficiency in sophisticated cyber espionage and data theft operations.
Surveillance Camera Systems: The group also targeted a significant number of cameras and DVR systems, primarily from Hikvision, showcasing their ability to infiltrate and potentially manipulate surveillance systems.
These attacks by Haghjoyan illustrate a strategic approach to cyber warfare, targeting systems that have a direct impact on national security and public safety, and aligning with their broader geopolitical motives.
The Haghjoyan hacker group’s activities and public communications clearly reflect their political alignments and intentions:
The group’s self-identification as Iranian and their focus on targeting Israeli infrastructure strongly align with Iranian geopolitical interests. This alignment is significant in the context of the ongoing regional conflicts and cyber warfare scenarios.
Additionally, Haghjoyan shows a marked sympathy towards Russia, echoing Iran’s political stance. This inclination indicates potential ideological alignments and possibly future collaborations with Russian groups that share similar targets, notably Israel and the U.S.
Haghjoyan effectively uses their cyberattacks and public statements for propaganda purposes. Their operations and the messaging disseminated via platforms like Telegram are geared towards advancing specific political narratives and objectives, which are critical to understanding their cyber operations and the impact thereof.
There is also an indication of potential affiliations or coordination with other hacker groups. These affiliations are likely with groups that share similar geopolitical views or targets, pointing to a broader network of cyber warfare actors working in concert or at least with shared objectives.
In essence, understanding Haghjoyan’s political alignment and intentions is crucial for comprehending the context and motives behind their cyber activities, as these factors heavily influence their choice of targets and the nature of their operations.
The Haghjoyan hacker group’s approach to using their Telegram channels is quite distinctive and merits a separate discussion:
Their Telegram channel’s follower count has shown significant fluctuations, indicating active engagement with a broad audience. Despite the closure of their channels at times, they have demonstrated a capability to quickly regain a high number of followers. This resilience in maintaining their digital presence, even in the face of potential platform bans, is noteworthy.
Their community engagement and the growth of their follower base, at times exceeding 40,000, reflect their substantial reach and influence within the cyber community. These fluctuations in follower numbers might point to the group’s increasing prominence as well as the transient nature of digital platforms for such groups.
However, usage of follower bots is also possible since it has reached 40.000 followers within their few attacks.
Haghjoyan’s consistent efforts to evade platform restrictions and continue their operations on platforms like Telegram highlight their adaptability and dedication to spreading their message and propaganda.
In their online activities and claims, the group has been actively trying to shape public perception and discourse, particularly regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran. This indicates their intent to influence public opinion and narrative through their digital presence.
In summary, Haghjoyan’s community and influence in the digital landscape demonstrate their strategic use of digital platforms to further their objectives and maintain relevance in the domain of cyber warfare.
The Haghjoyan hacker group represents a distinct and influential force in the landscape of cyber warfare. As a self-proclaimed Iranian cyber army, their operations extend beyond mere hacking activities; they are intertwined with the geopolitical conflict between Iran and Israel, and more recently, their focus has expanded to include the United States and India.
Their tactics, ranging from data leaks to propaganda, demonstrate not only technical expertise but also a strategic approach to cyber warfare. This is further emphasized by their ability to maintain a resilient online presence, particularly on Telegram, despite the challenges of platform restrictions. The fluctuating follower count on their Telegram channel indicates a dynamic engagement with the cyber community, reflecting their impact and reach.
Moreover, their political alignment and intentions, especially their expressed sympathy towards Russia and potential affiliations with other hacker groups, hint at a broader network of cyber warfare actors with shared objectives. This alignment not only aligns with Iran’s current political discourse but also opens possibilities for future collaborations in the cyber domain.
In summary, understanding the Haghjoyan hacker group’s operations, motivations, and influence is crucial in the context of global cybersecurity. Their activities underscore the increasingly complex nature of cyber warfare, where state-sponsored and ideologically driven hacker groups play a pivotal role in shaping geopolitical dynamics.
For a comprehensive understanding of the Haghjoyan hacker group and their impact, it is crucial to follow their activities and have a proactive security stance especially for US and Israeli companies and organizations.
For this capability, SOCRadar Dark Web Monitoring and Dark Web News are example solutions.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest insights!
PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA COOKIE POLICY FOR THE INTERNET SITE
Protecting your personal data is one of the core principles of our organization, SOCRadar, which operates the internet site (www.socradar.com). This Cookie Usage Policy (“Policy”) explains the types of cookies used and the conditions under which they are used to all website visitors and users.
Cookies are small text files stored on your computer or mobile device by the websites you visit.
Cookies are commonly used to provide you with a personalized experience while using a website, enhance the services offered, and improve your overall browsing experience, contributing to ease of use while navigating a website. If you prefer not to use cookies, you can delete or block them through your browser settings. However, please be aware that this may affect your usage of our website. Unless you change your cookie settings in your browser, we will assume that you accept the use of cookies on this site.
1. WHAT KIND OF DATA IS PROCESSED IN COOKIES?
Cookies on websites collect data related to your browsing and usage preferences on the device you use to visit the site, depending on their type. This data includes information about the pages you access, the services and products you explore, your preferred language choice, and other preferences.
2. WHAT ARE COOKIES AND WHAT ARE THEIR PURPOSES?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device or web server by the websites you visit through your browsers. These small text files, containing your preferred language and other settings, help us remember your preferences on your next visit and assist us in making improvements to our services to enhance your experience on the site. This way, you can have a better and more personalized user experience on your next visit.
The main purposes of using cookies on our Internet Site are as follows:
3. TYPES OF COOKIES USED ON OUR INTERNET SITE 3.1. Session Cookies
Session cookies ensure the smooth operation of the internet site during your visit. They are used for purposes such as ensuring the security and continuity of our sites and your visits. Session cookies are temporary cookies and are deleted when you close your browser; they are not permanent.
3.2. Persistent Cookies
These cookies are used to remember your preferences and are stored on your device through browsers. Persistent cookies remain stored on your device even after you close your browser or restart your computer. These cookies are stored in your browser’s subfolders until deleted from your browser’s settings. Some types of persistent cookies can be used to provide personalized recommendations based on your usage purposes.
With persistent cookies, when you revisit our website with the same device, the website checks if a cookie created by our website exists on your device. If so, it is understood that you have visited the site before, and the content to be presented to you is determined accordingly, offering you a better service.
3.3. Mandatory/Technical Cookies
Mandatory cookies are essential for the proper functioning of the visited internet site. The purpose of these cookies is to provide necessary services by ensuring the operation of the site. For example, they allow access to secure sections of the internet site, use of its features, and navigation.
3.4. Analytical Cookies
These cookies gather information about how the website is used, the frequency and number of visits, and show how visitors navigate to the site. The purpose of using these cookies is to improve the operation of the site, increase its performance, and determine general trend directions. They do not contain data that can identify visitors. For example, they show the number of error messages displayed or the most visited pages.
3.5. Functional Cookies
Functional cookies remember the choices made by visitors within the site and recall them during the next visit. The purpose of these cookies is to provide ease of use to visitors. For example, they prevent the need to re-enter the user’s password on each page visited by the site user.
3.6. Targeting/Advertising Cookies
They measure the effectiveness of advertisements shown to visitors and calculate how many times ads are displayed. The purpose of these cookies is to present personalized advertisements to visitors based on their interests.
Similarly, they determine the specific interests of visitors’ navigation and present appropriate content. For example, they prevent the same advertisement from being shown again to the visitor in a short period.
4. HOW TO MANAGE COOKIE PREFERENCES?
To change your preferences regarding the use of cookies, block or delete cookies, you only need to change your browser settings.
Many browsers offer options to accept or reject cookies, only accept certain types of cookies, or receive notifications from the browser when a website requests to store cookies on your device.
Also, it is possible to delete previously saved cookies from your browser.
If you disable or reject cookies, you may need to manually adjust some preferences, and certain features and services on the website may not work properly as we will not be able to recognize and associate with your account. You can change your browser settings by clicking on the relevant link from the table below.
5. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE INTERNET SITE PRIVACY POLICY
The Internet Site Privacy Policy is dated  The effective date of the Policy will be updated if the entire Policy or specific sections are renewed. The Privacy Policy is published on the Organization’s website (www.socradar.com) and made accessible to relevant individuals upon request.
SOCRadar
Address: 651 N Broad St, Suite 205 Middletown, DE 19709 USA
Phone: +1 (571) 249-4598
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.socradar.com

source