AUSTIN, Texas - Gov. Greg Abbott is warning Texans to be “vigilant” over potential cyber-terrorism from Iran. On Tuesday, the governor suggested that heightened tensions with the country have caused an increase in attempted attacks on state agencies.

• Probes are now happening 10,000 times every minute
• None detected in the past 48 hours have been successful
• Reminder to change passwords and back up information 

The remarks came during a meeting of the Domestic Terrorism Task Force, which Abbott formed after last year’s deadly mass shooting in El Paso that targeted Hispanics.

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According to Amanda Crawford with the Texas Department of Information Resources, the agency reported an uptick in cyber-attack attempts against state agency computer networks from Iran. She said those probes are now happening 10,000 times every minute. While her agency is fielding billions of probes a day regularly, she urges what she calls "cyber hygiene."

"We have to make sure that we're changing our passwords, that we're keeping our systems backed up, that you back up your files, that you segment your networks," said Crawford.

So far, state officials say none of the attempted cyber attacks detected in the past 48 hours have been successful, but they probed for weaknesses that would let hackers gather data, deny access to a website or post messages on a site.

"Other ways, you will notice immediately, such as a ransom-ware attack where everything is shut down and you don't have access to what's on your computer until you respond to the ransom," said Abbott.

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But it wasn't concerns about Iran that brought state leaders to the table Tuesday. A mass shooting back in August in El Paso that targeted Hispanics prompted the governor to address domestic terrorism ahead of the next legislative session, namely to do two things.

"For one, define what domestic terrorism is, but also would be a law that prosecutors would use to prosecute domestic terrorism," said Abbott.

Abbott also said the Department of Public Safety submitted a report in response to his eight executive orders issued last year. DPS says part of its strategy has been increasing personnel at fusion centers across the state. There are eight such intelligence gathering sites in Texas.

The domestic terrorism task force that consists of lawmakers, law enforcement officers, and cyber security professionals meets quarterly.