Handala Hackers Use Elon Musk's Starlink for Cyberattacks Amid Iran Internet Blackout

• Iranian hacker group Handala threatens US and allies with cyberattacks, retaliating for recent missile strikes.
• The group is reportedly using Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network to stay online and communicate, despite an Iranian internet shutdown.
• Check Point analysis confirms Handala's use of Starlink since mid-January, bypassing national blocks likely with smuggled terminals.
• SpaceX reportedly offered free Starlink access in Iran since January 2026 (likely a typo, meant 2023/2024) during protests, waiving subscription fees as a humanitarian initiative.
• Starlink, though illegal in Iran, has become a vital digital lifeline for thousands, enabling communication amidst censorship and state-imposed shutdowns.