Handala Hackers Disrupt Verifone’s POS Systems in Retaliatory Cyberattack
On March 12, the pro-Palestinian cyber group Handala claimed responsibility for a sophisticated cyberattack targeting Verifone, a leading global provider of point-of-sale (POS) payment solutions in Israel. The group stated the operation was a direct response to Israeli airstrikes on banking infrastructure, framing it as a retaliatory strike.
Handala described the attack as "complex" and reported widespread disruption to Verifone’s payment terminals and associated systems. The group also claimed to have extracted transaction records and financial data, though the full extent of the breach remains unconfirmed.
In a statement, Handala issued a warning to governments and companies collaborating with Verifone, particularly those allied with Israel, asserting that further cooperation could result in "harsher and irreversible consequences." While the group claimed it has the capability to disrupt systems across multiple countries, it framed the current operation as a "serious warning" rather than an all-out offensive.
The incident underscores escalating cyber tensions amid regional conflicts, with critical financial infrastructure emerging as a key battleground.
Source: https://wanaen.com/cyberattack-hits-verifone-israel-payment-systems/
Verifone cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/verifone
"id": "VER1773304587",
"linkid": "verifone",
"type": "Cyber Attack",
"date": "3/2026",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization's existence"{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Payment Solutions',
'location': 'Israel',
'name': 'Verifone',
'type': 'Company'}],
'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Yes',
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High',
'type_of_data_compromised': ['Transaction records',
'Financial data']},
'date_detected': '2024-03-12',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2024-03-12',
'description': 'On March 12, the pro-Palestinian cyber group Handala claimed '
'responsibility for a sophisticated cyberattack targeting '
'Verifone, a leading global provider of point-of-sale (POS) '
'payment solutions in Israel. The group stated the operation '
'was a direct response to Israeli airstrikes on banking '
'infrastructure, framing it as a retaliatory strike. Handala '
'described the attack as complex and reported widespread '
'disruption to Verifone’s payment terminals and associated '
'systems. The group also claimed to have extracted transaction '
'records and financial data, though the full extent of the '
'breach remains unconfirmed. In a statement, Handala issued a '
'warning to governments and companies collaborating with '
'Verifone, particularly those allied with Israel, asserting '
'that further cooperation could result in harsher and '
'irreversible consequences.',
'impact': {'data_compromised': 'Transaction records and financial data',
'operational_impact': 'Widespread disruption',
'payment_information_risk': 'High',
'systems_affected': 'Payment terminals and associated systems'},
'motivation': 'Retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on banking infrastructure',
'references': [{'source': 'Cyber Incident Description'}],
'stakeholder_advisories': 'Warning issued to governments and companies '
'collaborating with Verifone, particularly those '
'allied with Israel, about potential harsher '
'consequences.',
'threat_actor': 'Handala',
'title': 'Handala Hackers Disrupt Verifone’s POS Systems in Retaliatory '
'Cyberattack',
'type': 'Cyberattack'}