Even if the NSO Group shuts down, it won't stop paid iPhone attacks
Security researchers have discovered a new type of sophisticated iPhone spyware, signaling that Apple's devices are still threatened even if NSO Group shuts down its surveillance tools.
Even if the NSO Group shuts down, that won't stop paid iPhone attacks
Researchers at the Citizen Lab on Thursday published new findings on a spyware tool dubbed Predator. The tool is built and sold by little-known mercenary surveillance company Cytrox.
The team found the spyware on the smartphones of two Egyptians -- an exiled politician and a news program host. The iPhone of the politicians phone, Ayman Nour, was compromised both by Predator and NSO Group's Pegasus -- and each was apparently operated by different government clients.
Both of the victims were attacked with the Predator spyware in June 2021. Citizen Lab indicates that the spyware made it onto a target iPhone through single-click links send via WhatsApp. They were able to infect iPhone models running iOS 14.6, which was the latest version of the software at the time.
Nour only became suspicious that his device was compromised when he noticed that it was "running hot." Citizen Lab then analyzed the device and reviewed logs from his phone. The security researchers believe that the attacks originated from the Egyptian government.
Cytrox is part of the so-called "Intellexa alliance," which is a network of mercenary spyware vendors that emerged in 2019. Although originally based in Cyprus, recent reports indicate that Intellexa now operates in Greece.
Spyware targeting iPhone devices is becoming spotlighted in the public eye after controversy surrounding a surveillance product made by Israeli company NSO Group.
The NSO Group-developed Pegasus spyware has been used by government actors to target political dissidents, activists, and journalists -- and members of the U.S. State Department. Security researchers at Google's Project Zero in December suggested that NSO Group's surveillance capabilities rival those of nation-states.
Apple sued NSO Group in November in an attempt to hold the company accountable for its surveillance of iPhone users. The company is reportedly mulling shutting down its Pegasus spyware because of the financial and legal pressure.
Read on AppleInsider
Even if the NSO Group shuts down, that won't stop paid iPhone attacks
Researchers at the Citizen Lab on Thursday published new findings on a spyware tool dubbed Predator. The tool is built and sold by little-known mercenary surveillance company Cytrox.
The team found the spyware on the smartphones of two Egyptians -- an exiled politician and a news program host. The iPhone of the politicians phone, Ayman Nour, was compromised both by Predator and NSO Group's Pegasus -- and each was apparently operated by different government clients.
Both of the victims were attacked with the Predator spyware in June 2021. Citizen Lab indicates that the spyware made it onto a target iPhone through single-click links send via WhatsApp. They were able to infect iPhone models running iOS 14.6, which was the latest version of the software at the time.
Nour only became suspicious that his device was compromised when he noticed that it was "running hot." Citizen Lab then analyzed the device and reviewed logs from his phone. The security researchers believe that the attacks originated from the Egyptian government.
Cytrox is part of the so-called "Intellexa alliance," which is a network of mercenary spyware vendors that emerged in 2019. Although originally based in Cyprus, recent reports indicate that Intellexa now operates in Greece.
Spyware targeting iPhone devices is becoming spotlighted in the public eye after controversy surrounding a surveillance product made by Israeli company NSO Group.
The NSO Group-developed Pegasus spyware has been used by government actors to target political dissidents, activists, and journalists -- and members of the U.S. State Department. Security researchers at Google's Project Zero in December suggested that NSO Group's surveillance capabilities rival those of nation-states.
Apple sued NSO Group in November in an attempt to hold the company accountable for its surveillance of iPhone users. The company is reportedly mulling shutting down its Pegasus spyware because of the financial and legal pressure.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Is it safer to use Android rather than iOS now? Do we have any reports of targeted individuals who were using an Android phone when they were hack into?
I’m only half-way sarcastic because all we hear about is iOS being compromised, nothing about Android.
The reason there’s no news about Android spyware is because it’s a given that its security model is a joke.
Try getting your tech news from other places.
You are aware, I’m sure, that Pegasus is a generic name for their tools, and doesn’t actually refer to a specific type of exploit, right? So then why do you need to lie by attributing a 5 year old quote to the current ability of Pegasus against iOS or Android?
From the Project Zero article:
”We are aware that NSO sells similar zero-click capabilities which target Android devices; Project Zero does not have samples of these exploits but if you do, please reach out.”
Look at that. Google has not had an Android device to test and see how Pegasus new zero-click exploit works on Android. Because of this it’s IMPOSSIBLE to make a claim that it’s less effective on Android vs iOS. Which makes your statements a straight up 100% lie. Which makes you a liar. The worst kind of liar (one who knows exactly what they’re doing with intent to device.
To a large degree, social engineering is necessary.
Yes, you can make vehicles safer, lower speed limits, better design intersections.
But if i step off the sidewalk with my head down & attention locked elsewhere...