All articles tagged with #pegasus
Apple alerted at least three Turkish ministers that their iPhones may have been targeted by mercenary spyware, a concern linked to past Pegasus-style campaigns; while the exact tool remains unclear, Turkey’s Cyber Security Authority replaced affected devices and tightened safeguards as officials warn such attacks are common against high-profile figures.
More than a dozen Serbian student activists and opposition figures have been targeted with spyware this year, including Pegasus via an iMessage zero-click exploit and NoviSpy used while detained, marking the country’s largest documented wave of surveillance and underscoring digital repression ahead of October elections; Apple threat notifications helped some victims confirm infections as investigators evaluate other cases.
Apple has issued high-confidence warnings to users suspected of being targeted by mercenary spyware (such as Pegasus), updated its alert interface, and published a new support page with steps to protect data. Recipients are advised to enable Lockdown Mode and seek rapid expert assistance through Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline; while a notification signals activity consistent with an attack, it does not guarantee data has been compromised and Apple cannot reveal targeting criteria to avoid evasion.
Meta says it will file a contempt complaint against NSO Group for violating a court order prohibiting the targeting of WhatsApp users, accusing NSO of phishing campaigns and testing Pegasus on WhatsApp accounts; it urges U.S. authorities to enforce the ruling while noting that WhatsApp messages remain end-to-end encrypted. The move follows a prior six-year dispute that ended with NSO paying $167 million in damages and being blacklisted by the U.S. for national-security concerns after Pegasus targeted more than a thousand WhatsApp users in 2019; Pegasus exploits zero-day vulnerabilities and is designed for offensive cyber operations.
NASA revealed two next‑gen lunar rovers—CLV‑1 by Astrolab and Pegasus by Lunar Outpost—designed for human piloting, teleoperation, or autonomous use, about a ton in weight, roughly 6 mph, and costing ~$220 million each with a 20‑degree incline capability and a ~1‑year lifespan; the agency aims to have them on the Moon by 2028 as part of an iterative Moon Base plan funded largely through private contractors (Blue Origin, Astrobotic, Intuitive Machines) delivering landers and equipment, while MoonFall drones map sites and potentially mark a base perimeter under the Outer Space Treaty; the broader goal is frequent, affordable launches to rapidly build a lasting lunar outpost.
Colorado-based Lunar Outpost raises $30 million in a Series B to shift from building individual lunar rovers to supplying a robotic workforce that can prep the Moon for longer-term human presence, including Pegasus and other mobility platforms. The company argues the real value lies in infrastructure work—landing pads, power, and maintenance—done by machines before astronauts arrive, in line with NASA’s Artemis push. Success will hinge on reliable lander delivery and a robust rover-as-a-service ecosystem rather than a single blockbuster rover, potentially making robotic prep a core part of the lunar economy.
Security experts warn that iPhone spyware, particularly the Pegasus variant, may be more widespread than previously thought. iVerify's recent investigation of 2,500 devices revealed seven Pegasus infections, indicating a higher prevalence than earlier reports. Pegasus, developed by NSO Group, can control iPhones via zero-click attacks, accessing messages, emails, and more. Users, especially those in high-risk groups like journalists and officials, are advised to keep their devices updated and restart them regularly to mitigate risks.
A $1 phone scanning tool developed by iVerify has detected seven instances of Pegasus spyware among 2,500 scans, highlighting the widespread use of such malware globally. The tool's development required significant investment due to the locked-down nature of mobile operating systems like iOS and Android. The findings, to be presented at a security conference, underscore the need for accessible spyware detection tools, as evidenced by the tool's role in identifying spyware on devices linked to political figures and activists. This development challenges the assumption that mobile devices are inherently secure.
Cybersecurity firm iVerify has detected new infections of the Pegasus spyware, developed by NSO Group, on mobile devices of ordinary professionals and civilians, challenging the belief that such spyware only targets high-profile individuals. Their Mobile Threat Hunting feature found a 2.5 per 1,000 scan infection rate, revealing a more widespread issue than previously thought. The findings highlight significant gaps in current mobile security practices and emphasize the need for more robust, user-accessible security measures.
A new app by mobile security firm iVerify allows iPhone and Android users to scan their devices for Pegasus spyware for just $1. Pegasus, developed by NSO Group, exploits zero-day vulnerabilities and can compromise devices without user interaction. While typically used against political activists and journalists, recent findings show a broader range of targets, including business leaders and government officials. The app offers a free version for monthly scans, providing users with a proactive way to detect potential spyware infections.
Security firm iVerify has identified that a business leader's iPhone was targeted by Pegasus spyware, highlighting the risk of commercial espionage. While Pegasus is typically used by governments for surveillance, its misuse for targeting business figures is concerning. iVerify detected spyware on seven iPhones from a pool of 2,500 users, indicating a potential historical compromise. The firm also noted an increase in spyware exploits by government-backed hackers, including a possible link to the China-backed Salt Typhoon group targeting U.S. officials' phones.
iVerify, a mobile device security firm, has launched a spyware detection feature that has already identified seven infections of the notorious Pegasus malware among 2,500 device scans. The tool, available to both paying and free users, uses a combination of malware signature-based detection, heuristics, and machine learning to identify spyware on iOS and Android devices. The findings challenge the narrative that spyware targets only activists and journalists, revealing infections among business leaders and government officials. This development highlights the growing prevalence of spyware and the need for accessible detection tools.
Ronan Farrow's new HBO documentary, 'Surveilled,' explores the pervasive threat of commercial spyware like Pegasus, developed by the Israeli company NSO Group. The film highlights how governments, including democracies, use such technology to monitor citizens, posing significant risks to privacy and democracy. Farrow argues for urgent regulation and oversight of these tools, which can infiltrate devices without users' knowledge, likening their impact to weapons of mass destruction. The documentary underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the use of surveillance technology.
Congress leader KC Venugopal received a threat notification from Apple indicating that his iPhone was targeted by mercenary spyware, marking the second such alert since October 2023. Venugopal criticized the Modi government for allegedly using spyware to invade the privacy of political opponents. This follows similar notifications to other opposition members, highlighting ongoing concerns about privacy and government surveillance.
Dozens of journalists, lawyers, and human rights workers in Jordan have been targeted by authorities using NSO Group's Pegasus spyware, with at least one American citizen also affected, according to a report by Access Now. The spyware allows full control of a mobile device, including access to emails, calls, and encrypted messages. NSO Group stated it complies with laws and regulations and sells its products to vetted agencies for crime and terror prevention. The Jordanian government has been suspected of using Pegasus against domestic targets, and tensions between Israel and Jordan are high. The cases involved both zero-click and one-click attacks, and individuals became aware of the targeting through Apple notifications.