Security Researchers Report Surge in Brute-Force Attacks on Fortinet Devices from Middle East
Security researchers have identified a significant increase in brute-force attempts targeting SonicWall and Fortinet devices, with 88% of these attacks originating from the Middle East. These attacks are primarily aimed at hijacking internet-facing devices, which serve as entry points into corporate networks. Although many attempts are blocked by security tools or misdirected at invalid usernames, the persistent nature of these attacks poses a risk. The timing of these attacks coincides with heightened tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, suggesting a possible link to geopolitical hostilities. Barracuda, a cybersecurity firm, reported that over half of the confirmed incidents from February to March involved this type of attack. The company advises organizations to enforce strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and monitor for repeated failed login attempts to mitigate risks.