NSO Group’s spyware continues to target journalists, dissidents, and protesters, despite the company’s claims. Jamal Khashoggi’s wife, Hanan Elatr, was reportedly targeted with Pegasus before his tragic death. Similarly, Ben Hubbard of the New York Times discovered that his phone had been targeted twice with Pegasus in 2021.
The insidious Pegasus spyware was surreptitiously implanted on the iPhone of Claude Magnin, the wife of political activist Naama Asfari, who was imprisoned and allegedly tortured in Morocco. Furthermore, Pegasus has been used to target pro-democracy demonstrators in Thailand, Russian journalist Galina Timchenko, and even UK government officials.
In response to these alarming revelations, Apple filed a lawsuit against NSO Group and its parent company in an effort to hold them accountable for the surveillance and targeting of Apple users. However, the legal battle is ongoing with NSO Group attempting to dismiss the lawsuit.
David Ruiz, a senior privacy advocate at Malwarebytes, points to the dangerous individuals behind these spyware operations as the root cause of the societal threat they pose.
Experts warn that if faced with a zero-click exploit delivering spyware, there is little that can be done to protect oneself. Aaron Engel, the chief information security officer at ExpressVPN, advises completely abandoning the affected hardware and accounts and starting fresh with new devices and accounts.
Detecting spyware can be challenging, but indicators such as rapid battery drain, unexpected shutdowns, or increased data usage may signal an infection. While some apps claim to spot spyware, professional assistance is often necessary for reliable detection.
Other precautions include monitoring for unfamiliar apps, browser hijackings, or changes in browser settings. Methods like Kaspersky’s system log detection can help identify spyware infections, while regular device restarts can make it harder for attackers to re-infect.
To protect against zero-click attacks, users can disable iMessage and FaceTime, keep their devices updated, and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Additionally, using multifactor authentication and only installing apps from trusted sources can bolster security.
In the unfortunate event of becoming a spyware victim, helplines like Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline and Amnesty International’s Security Lab offer assistance in removing the malicious software. Apple’s Lockdown Mode can also help prevent iPhone infections.
