When Everyday Devices Become Weapons: A Closer Look at the Pager and Walkie-Talkie Attacks (2025)

AUTHORS:

P. P. Sarker, U. Das, N. Varshney, S. Shi. A. Kulkarni, F. Farahmandi, and M. Tehranipoor

The increasing connectivity of everyday electronic devices creates new opportunities for attackers to turn seemingly benign technologies into physical threats. This research examines the 2024 pager and walkie-talkie attacks in Lebanon, analyzing how compromised battery-powered devices can be exploited to cause real-world harm and disrupt critical communications. The paper also explores broader vulnerabilities in battery-powered systems, including battery management infrastructure, and evaluates existing prevention and detection techniques. The authors highlight the importance of extending cybersecurity beyond software and networks to include physical inspection and hardware-level security measures for building more resilient cyber-physical systems.

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RESEARCH PAPERS
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