Navy warns sailors against ‘adversary cyber actors’ on social media during Iran war

The Navy is warning sailors to tighten their social media activity and avoid suspicious online contact as “adversary cyber actors” are trying to target military personnel during the war with Iran, according to an unclassified memo. 

Navy Secretary John Phelan warned that hostile actors are using social media, messaging platforms, and dating apps to gather information and possibly exploit service members and their families. 

Officials said the activity includes phishing attempts and psychological operations aimed at influencing behavior or gaining access to sensitive data. 

“In response to ongoing operations, adversary cyber actors are conducting a social engineering campaign actively targeting Department of the Navy personnel and their families,” the advisory pushed out April 17 said, urging sailors to avoid clicking unknown links and to limit personal information shared online. 

Sailors were directed to remove any personal identifying information from their digital footprint, secure social media privacy settings, be mindful of or pause