How Pagers Became a Weapon & What This Means for Modern Devices

In a time where smartphones dominate communication, pagers feel like a remnant of the past. However, recent events involving Hezbollah have shown that even outdated technology can be weaponized in unexpected ways. Hezbollah’s use of pagers as a low-tech communication option led to a deadly series of explosions, reportedly caused by explosives embedded in these devices by the Israeli Mossad. This tragic incident raises serious concerns about the vulnerability of not just older technology, but modern devices like electric vehicles (EVs), laptops, smart home devices, and more.

As we delve into the details of the Hezbollah pager attack, we’ll explore how this exploitation of simple technology poses risks to a wide array of modern connected devices, and what this means for cybersecurity in today’s tech-driven world.

The Hezbollah Pager Incident: What Happened?

Pagers, once widely used by doctors and emergency responders, have largely become obsolete with the rise of mobile phones. Yet Hezbollah, reportedly still utilizing pagers to avoid advanced surveillance, found that even this outdated technology could be exploited. According to Lebanese security sources, Israeli Mossad embedded explosives in 5,000 pagers that were procured by Hezbollah, resulting in explosions that killed at least nine people and injured thousands.

The attack took advantage of pagers’ inherent lack of encryption and authentication mechanisms. With no way to verify incoming signals, these pagers became easy targets, allowing attackers to trigger remote detonation through intercepted radio frequencies.

Why Use Outdated Technology?

Hezbollah’s continued use of pagers highlights a broader trend: certain organizations believe that low-tech solutions are less vulnerable to advanced surveillance methods. In an era where smartphones and modern communication networks are constantly tracked, simple radio-frequency-based pagers seem like a way to avoid detection.

But as this incident demonstrates, the very simplicity of outdated technologies can be their downfall. Without modern security measures like encryption, even something as old-fashioned as a pager can become a weapon. The question now is: could something similar happen to modern, connected devices?

Can This Happen to Modern Devices Like EVs, Laptops, or Others?

While pagers are based on simple technology, the principles of exploitation that led to the Hezbollah incident can apply to a broad range of modern devices. Smart home systems, EVs, medical devices, smartphones, wearables, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and even industrial machinery are all potentially vulnerable.

Below, we’ll examine how various modern devices — spanning from personal electronics to industrial equipment — could face similar threats due to wireless communication, firmware vulnerabilities, or sensor manipulation.

1. Electric Vehicles (EVs)

EVs are highly connected devices, relying on wireless signals and over-the-air (OTA) updates to ensure they remain up-to-date. However, this connectivity opens them up to attacks.

• Key Fob Hijacking: Wireless key fobs use Bluetooth or RF signals to unlock or start vehicles. If the signal is intercepted or mimicked, attackers could gain access to the vehicle.
• Firmware Manipulation: EVs rely on battery management systems (BMS) for safety and efficiency. Malicious firmware updates could lead to overheating or compromised safety features like automatic braking.
• Ransomware: Hackers could lock an EV and prevent it from starting unless a ransom is paid, stranding drivers in dangerous locations.

2. Laptops & Personal Computers

Laptops are well-known targets for cyberattacks, but firmware-level vulnerabilities and wireless peripherals can make them even more susceptible.

• Firmware Exploits: Attackers could corrupt the firmware that controls a laptop’s hardware, causing it to malfunction or disabling critical components.
• Peripheral Attacks: Wireless devices like Bluetooth keyboards or mice can be intercepted, allowing attackers to gain control over the laptop or steal sensitive data.
• Battery Overheating: Manipulating a laptop’s battery firmware could lead to dangerous overheating, potentially resulting in fires.

3. Smart Home Devices

Smart home devices such as smart thermostats, lightbulbs, door locks, and security cameras have become commonplace. However, these IoT devices are often targets for cyberattacks due to their lack of security features.

• Thermostats: Hacked thermostats could cause overheating, leading to HVAC system failures or excessive energy consumption.
• Smart Locks: Hackers could gain unauthorized access to homes by exploiting unsecured smart door locks.
• Surveillance Systems: Security cameras can be hijacked, allowing attackers to spy on homeowners or disable surveillance.

4. Medical Devices

Many modern medical devices, such as insulin pumps and pacemakers, are now connected to the internet or communicate wirelessly with external devices. These connections can be compromised, with deadly consequences.

• Insulin Pumps: Hackers could remotely manipulate insulin pumps to deliver incorrect dosages, potentially causing severe health complications or death.
• Pacemakers: Connected pacemakers could be hacked to disrupt heart rhythms, creating life-threatening situations.

5. Wearables

Wearable technology such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart glasses collect a wealth of personal data and often rely on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to communicate with smartphones or other devices.

• Data Theft: Hackers could intercept data transmitted by wearables, including sensitive health information or even location tracking.
• Device Control: Smart glasses or headsets could be hijacked, disrupting AR/VR experiences or spying on users through built-in cameras and microphones.

6. Industrial IoT (IIoT) & Smart Cities

Industrial systems and smart city infrastructure, such as power grids, traffic systems, and manufacturing machinery, rely heavily on interconnected devices for efficient operation.

• Smart Grids: An attack on the smart grid could result in widespread blackouts or disruptions to energy supplies.
• Manufacturing: Connected machinery used in factories can be targeted by attackers to disrupt production lines, cause equipment malfunctions, or even damage expensive industrial assets.
• Traffic Systems: Autonomous traffic management systems could be hijacked, leading to traffic jams, or even creating accidents by manipulating traffic lights and sensor systems.

7. Smartphones & Tablets

As powerful, connected devices, smartphones and tablets are frequent targets for cyberattacks. Vulnerabilities in firmware, apps, or network protocols can expose them to serious threats.

• Malicious Apps: Apps with embedded malware can be used to steal personal data, track locations, or access sensitive information stored on devices.
• Ransomware: Just like laptops, smartphones can be locked with ransomware, preventing users from accessing their data until a ransom is paid.
• Signal Interception: Unsecured Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections can be exploited, allowing hackers to control smartphones or intercept communications.

8. Drones

Drones, used for everything from recreational purposes to military operations, rely on wireless signals for navigation and control. These signals are susceptible to hijacking.

• Drone Hijacking: Attackers can take control of drones by intercepting GPS signals or disrupting communication between the drone and its operator.
• Weaponization: In some cases, drones equipped with payload delivery systems can be weaponized, causing significant harm if taken over by malicious actors.

The Common Thread: Connectivity & Exploitation

Across all of these devices, the central risk lies in their connectivity. Whether through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio frequencies, or cellular networks, modern devices rely on wireless communication to function. If these communications are not properly encrypted or secured, attackers can intercept and manipulate signals — just as they did with Hezbollah’s pagers.

Additionally, firmware vulnerabilities present a dangerous vector for attacks. Firmware, the low-level software controlling hardware components, often lacks the same level of scrutiny and security updates as operating systems. Once compromised, attackers can manipulate the core functions of the device.

Lessons Learned: Strengthening Cybersecurity for Modern Devices

The Hezbollah pager incident highlights that no technology — whether old or new — is completely safe from exploitation. As the number of connected devices continues to grow, so do the potential attack vectors for cybercriminals and state actors.

To minimize the risks, manufacturers and developers should prioritize:

• Encryption: Ensure that all wireless communications are encrypted, especially those involving sensitive data or critical functions.
• Firmware Security: Regularly update firmware to patch vulnerabilities and improve security measures.
• Authentication: Implement strong authentication protocols to verify the legitimacy of incoming commands or signals.
• Fail-Safe Mechanisms: Incorporate fail-safe mechanisms to detect and block malicious activity in real time.

Conclusion: Are We Prepared for the Future?

The exploitation of pagers by Hezbollah serves as a wake-up call for the broader technology landscape. As more devices become connected, their vulnerabilities multiply. Electric vehicles, smart home systems, medical devices, and even industrial systems are all at risk if their security is not taken seriously.

By learning from incidents like the Hezbollah pager attack, we can better prepare for the future and protect the modern devices that increasingly define our daily lives.