The trio of spyware apps — hacked earlier this year — no longer work.
Category: Spyware
Global Security News, Meta, NSO, NSO Group, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp, zero days
Seven things we learned from WhatsApp vs. NSO Group spyware lawsuit
The landmark trial between WhatsApp and NSO Group unearthed several new revelations. We recap some of them here.
Global Security News, Meta, NSO, NSO Group, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp, zero days
Five things we learned from WhatsApp vs. NSO Group spyware lawsuit
The landmark trial between WhatsApp and NSO Group unearthed several new revelations. We recap some of them here.
Global Security News, Meta, NSO Group, privacy, Spyware, Technology, U.S. courts, WhatsApp
NSO Group owes $168M in damages to WhatsApp over spyware infections, jury says
A federal jury decided Tuesday that NSO Group must pay WhatsApp approximately $168 million in damages after a judge ruled that it violated anti-hacking laws when 1,400 of the messaging application’s users became infected with Pegasus spyware. It’s the latest in a series of wins in court for WhatsApp in its pioneering lawsuit that has produced…
Apple, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, hacking, Security, Spyware, surveillance
Apple notifies new victims of spyware attacks across the world
Two alleged victims came forward claiming they received a spyware notification from Apple.
Amazon S3, data breach, Data loss, Global Security News, Guest blog, Spyware
21 million employee screenshots leaked in bossware breach blunder
If you thought only your boss was peeking at your work screen, think again. Employee-monitoring tool Work Composer has committed a jaw-dropping blunder, leaving a treasure trove of millions of workplace screenshots openly accessible on the internet with no encryption in place, and no password required. Read more in my article on the Hot for…
Asia Pacific, china, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Google, malware, North Korea, Security, Spyware, zero days
Government hackers are leading the use of attributed zero-days, Google says
Governments like China and North Korea, along with spyware makers, used the most recorded zero-days in 2024.
china, Citizen Lab, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Google, malware, Security, Spyware, Uyghurs, Windows
Citizen Lab say exiled Uyghur leaders targeted with Windows spyware
The researchers said the attackers behind the campaign had “deep understanding of the target community.”
china, Citizen Lab, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Google, In Brief, malware, Security, Spyware, Uyghurs, Windows
Citizen Lab says exiled Uyghur leaders targeted with Windows spyware
The researchers said the attackers behind the campaign had “deep understanding of the target community.”
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200,000 Workers’ PII at Risk in WorkComposer S3 SNAFU
Don’t say ‘spyware’—21 million screenshots in one open bucket. The post 200,000 Workers’ PII at Risk in WorkComposer S3 SNAFU appeared first on Security Boulevard.
Access Now, Exploits, Global Security News, Israel, Jamal Khashoggi, NSO Group, privacy, Spyware, Technology, U.S. courts, WhatsApp
Judge limits evidence about NSO Group customers, victims in damages trial
A federal judge last week placed strict limits on the kind of evidence NSO Group can raise during a trial on damages in the lawsuit WhatsApp brought against the spyware vendor over allegations it hacked 1,400 of the messaging platform’s users. Under the order, NSO Group is prohibited from presenting evidence about its customers’ identities,…
Cybersecurity, Global Security News, NSO, NSO Group, Security, Spyware
NSO lawyer names Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan as spyware customers behind 2019 WhatsApp hacks
This is the first time representatives for the spyware maker have publicly named its government customers.
Cybersecurity, El Salvador, Global Security News, North America, NSO Group, privacy, Spyware, Technology, U.S. courts
Judges strike skeptical note of NSO Group’s argument to dismiss case from El Salvadoran journos
A panel of U.S. judges considering an appeal of a ruling that went against El Salvadoran journalists suing NSO Group over alleged infections of their phone by the company’s Pegasus spyware appeared more skeptical Thursday of the vendor’s arguments than those of the reporters. Judge James Donato of the District Court for the Northern District…
Access Now, Amnesty International, Amnesty Tech, Cellebrite, Geopolitics, Global Security News, JD Work, Jen Ellis, National Security Council, National Security Council (NSC), NCC Group, North America, NSO Group, Pall Mall Process, privacy, Romania, Spyware
Cyber experts offer lukewarm praise for voluntary code governing use of commercial hacking tools
Cybersecurity professionals who participated in discussions over a code of conduct for nations to use commercial hacking tools said the final voluntary guidelines offer modest promise, even if they fall short of what some wanted. The next step for the joint France/U.K.-led Pall Mall Process, which last week got 21 signatories to the code, is…
Australia, Canada, china, Citizen Lab, fbi, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Geopolitics, Germany, Global Security News, Lookout, National Security Agency, National Security Agency (NSA), New Zealand, North America, nsa, Spyware, taiwan, Threats, Tibet, Uighur, United Kingdom (U.K.)
BadBazaar and Moonshine malware targets Taiwanese, Tibetan and Uyghur groups, U.K. warns
Two spyware variants are targeting Uyghur, Taiwanese and Tibetan groups and individuals, the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre warned in a joint alert Wednesday with Western allies. Cybersecurity researchers have previously linked the BADBAZAAR and MOONSHINE spyware to the Chinese government. The variants mentioned in Wednesday’s alert trojanize apps that are of interest to the…
Android, Apple, Asia Pacific, china, gchq, Global Security News, Google, NCSC, Security, Spyware, Tibet, uk, Uyghurs
Governments identify dozens of Android apps bundled with spyware
The advisories say the spyware apps are used to target members of civil society who may oppose China’s state interests.
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21 Countries Sign Onto Voluntary Pact to Stem the Proliferation of Spyware
Twenty-one countries signed onto the Pall Mall Process, an effort a year in the making that was created to develop a framework nations could adopt to address the proliferation and malicious use of spyware by governments that want it to track human rights workers, activists, journalists, and other such targets. The post 21 Countries Sign…
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Voluntary ‘Pall Mall Process’ seeks to curb spyware abuses
Twenty-one nations signed on to a voluntary accord last week in Paris to govern the use of commercial hacking tools commonly known as spyware, after more than a year of work on the agreement. The Pall Mall Process, or Code of Practices for States, has four pillars for the responsible use of the surveillance tech,…
Amnesty International, Citizen Lab, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, government spyware, NSO Group, privacy, Security, Spyware, surveillance
Again and again, NSO Group’s customers keep getting their spyware operations caught
Despite the stealthy nature of spyware, security researchers keep detecting Pegasus spyware attacks in part because of sloppy ‘operational security.’
Cybersecurity, data breach, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Have I Been Pwned, Security, Spyware, stalkerware
Data breach at stalkerware SpyX affects close to 2 million, including thousands of Apple users
Another consumer-grade spyware operation was hacked in June 2024, which exposed thousands of Apple Account credentials. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amnesty International, Australia, Canada, Citizen Lab, Cyprus, Denmark, Europe, Global Security News, Israel, Italy, paragon, privacy, Singapore, Spyware, Threats
Six additional countries identified as suspected Paragon spyware customers
Researchers have identified suspected government customers of spyware company Paragon Solutions in six more countries that hadn’t previously been publicly identified, according to a report published Wednesday. The University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab said it mapped the infrastructure of Paragon’s Graphite tool after a tip from a collaborator, and found a subset of suspected Paragon…
Android, Australia, Canada, Global IT News, Global Security News, Israel, Italy, paragon, Paragon Solutions, privacy, Security, Spyware, surveillance
Researchers name several countries as potential Paragon spyware customers
The Citizen Lab said it believes several governments may be customers of spyware maker Paragon Solutions. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amazon, Amazon Web Services, AWS, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Spyware, stalkerware
Amazon is still hosting stalkerware victims’ data weeks after breach alert
Amazon won’t say if it will stop hosting data from three phone surveillance operations that spilled private data on millions of people. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Android, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Google Play, Lookout, malware, Security, Spyware, TC
North Korean government hackers snuck spyware on Android app store
Cybersecurity firm Lookout found several samples of a North Korean spyware it calls KoSpy. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
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Catalan court says NSO Group executives can be charged in spyware investigation
The ruling said that a lower court can charge two NSO Group co-founders and a former executive of two affiliate companies for the alleged hacking of a lawyer. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amnesty, Amnesty International, Cellebrite, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, hacking, Security, Serbia, Spyware, zero days
Researchers uncover unknown Android flaws used to hack into a student’s phone
Amnesty International said that Google fixed previously unknown flaws in Android that allowed authorities to unlock phones using forensic tools. On Friday, Amnesty International published a report detailing a chain of three zero-day vulnerabilities developed by phone-unlocking company Cellebrite, which its researchers found after investigating the hack of a student protester’s phone in Serbia. The…
Android, Apple, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Have I Been Pwned, iPad, iPhone, Security, Spyware, stalkerware
Spyzie stalkerware is spying on thousands of Android and iPhone users
Another little-known phone monitoring outfit has quietly amassed half a million customers, whose email addresses are now in Have I Been Pwned. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amnesty, Amnesty International, Android, Cellebrite, Global IT News, Global Security News, hacking, Security, Serbia, Spyware
Cellebrite suspends Serbia as customer after claims police used firm’s tech to plant spyware
Security researchers found evidence that Cellebrite was used by Serbian police to hack into the cellphones of a local journalist and an activist. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Android, Global Security News, Guest blog, malware, Spyware, stalkerware, vulnerability
Flaw found in stalkerware apps, exposing millions of people. Here’s how to find out if your phone is being spied upon
A serious security vulnerability has been found in popular stalkerware apps, exposing the sensitive personal information and communications of millions of people. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Android, Cybercrime, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google Play, Media & Entertainment, privacy, Security, Spyware, stalkerware, vietnam
Your Android phone could have stalkerware. Here’s how to remove it
This simple guide helps you identify and remove common consumer-grade spyware apps from your Android phone. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Colombia, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Mollitiam Industries, Security, spain, Spyware, surveillance, TC
Spanish spyware startup Mollitiam Industries shuts down
The little-known surveillance vendor filed for bankruptcy in January, after years of peddling spyware to countries like Colombia. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Android, Cybersecurity, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Hackers, hacking, Italy, Lookout, malware, Security, SIO, Spyware, WhatsApp
Spyware maker caught distributing malicious Android apps for years
Italian company SIO, which sells to government customers, is behind an Android spyware campaign called Spyrtacus that spoofed popular apps like WhatsApp, per security researchers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Spyware, variston
Barcelona-based spyware startup Variston reportedly shuts down
Variston, a Barcelona-based spyware vendor, is reportedly being liquidated. Intelligence Online, a trade publication that covers the surveillance and intelligence industry, reported that a legal notice published in Barcelona’s registry on February 10 confirmed that Variston has gone into liquidation. This comes almost exactly a year after TechCrunch reported that Variston was in the process…
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, Italy, paragon, privacy, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp
Another person targeted by Paragon spyware comes forward
Four people have so far come forward as victims of the Paragon spyware campaign targeting WhatsApp users, including one journalist and three activists. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cybersecurity, Europe, Giorgia Meloni, Global IT News, Global Security News, hacking, Israel, Italy, Meta, paragon, Paragon Solutions, Security, Spyware, WhatsApp
Spyware maker Paragon terminates contract with Italian government: media reports
Following allegations of potential abuse, Paragon Solutions has cut off Italy from its spyware systems. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cybersecurity, Europe, Giorgia Meloni, Global Security News, government spyware, hacking, Italy, paragon, Paragon Solutions, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp
Paragon spyware used to target citizens across Europe, says Italian government
WhatsApp said users in several European countries were targeted with Paragon spyware, according to the Italian government. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AE Industrial, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, Italy, Paragon Solutions, Pragon, Security, Spyware, WhatsApp
New target of Paragon spyware comes forward
The latest target of Paragon spyware openly questions if he was targeted by the Italian government. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AE Industrial, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, journalism, Meta, paragon, Paragon Solutions, Security, Spyware, WhatsApp
Journalist targeted on WhatsApp by Paragon spyware: “I feel violated”
An Italian investigative journalist said he was the target of a spyware attack disclosed by WhatsApp. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Citizen Lab, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, ICE, NSO Group, paragon, privacy, Spyware, Technology, Threats, U.S. courts, WhatsApp
WhatsApp says it disrupted spyware campaign aimed at reporters, civil society
WhatsApp said Friday that it had disrupted a spyware campaign that targeted 90 people, including journalists and activists. The company tied to the campaign, according to WhatsApp, is Israeli firm Paragon, which last fall signed a $2 million contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and recently was purchased by U.S. private equity giant AE International.…
AE Industrial, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, Meta, paragon, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp
WhatsApp says it disrupted a hacking campaign targeting journalists with Paragon spyware
The Meta-owned company said the campaign was linked to Israeli spyware maker Paragon. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
BlackBerry, Botnet, British Museum, Data loss, Denial of Service, Global Security News, kidnap, Law & order, malware, Operating Systems, Podcast, privacy, Remote access trojan, Smashing Security, Social networks, Spyware
Smashing Security podcast #402: Hackers get hacked, the British Museum IT shutdown, and social media kidnaps
What happens when eager computer enthusiasts unknowingly download a trojanized hacking tool and find themselves on the wrong side of cybersecurity? A former employee’s actions led to chaos and raise urgent questions about the security of cultural treasures. And join us as we explore the alarming trend of social media influencers staging fake kidnappings. All…
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Trump U-Turn: TikTok’s On-Again/Off-Again U.S. Ban
Not For You: The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act shouldn’t be enforced, orders President Trump. The post Trump U-Turn: TikTok’s On-Again/Off-Again U.S. Ban appeared first on Security Boulevard.
Citizen Lab, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Greece, infosec, poland, Russia, Security, Spyware, UN, United Nations, united states
Governments call for spyware regulations in UN Security Council meeting
Several governments participated in a meeting on the proliferation of commercial spyware at the United Nations Security Council. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
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Allstate Violates Drivers’ Privacy, Texas AG Alleges
Don’t Mess With Texas Privacy: “We will hold all these companies accountable,” rants state attorney general Ken Paxton (pictured). The post Allstate Violates Drivers’ Privacy, Texas AG Alleges appeared first on Security Boulevard.
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How Barcelona became an unlikely hub for spyware startups
Barcelona’s mix of affordable cost of living and quality of life has helped create a vibrant startup community — and become a hotbed for the creation of surveillance technologies. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
california, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), Global Security News, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, North America, NSO Group, pegasus, privacy, Spyware, U.S. courts, WhatsApp
Judge grants ruling in favor of WhatsApp against spyware firm NSO Group
A federal judge has dealt the first major legal blow against spyware maker NSO Group, ruling in favor of WhatsApp in a five-year-old lawsuit against the Israeli firm over allegations that it hacked the chat service. Northern California District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton made her ruling on Friday as a summary judgment, thus not requiring…
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, NSO Group, pegasus, privacy, Security, Spyware, WhatsApp
WhatsApp scores historic victory against NSO Group in long-running spyware hacking case
A US judge ruled that the Israeli spyware maker breached hacking laws by using WhatsApp to infect devices with Pegasus © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Access Now, Apple, Citizen Lab, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, infosec, iOS, iPhone, lockdown mode, NSO Group, privacy, Security, Spyware, surveillance
Why Apple sends spyware victims to this nonprofit security lab
Before the elections, the cybersecurity team of U.S. vice president and then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris reached out to Apple asking for help, according to Forbes, after a tool that’s designed to detect spyware on iPhones flagged anomalies on two devices belonging to campaign staffers. Apple declined to forensically analyze the phones, per Forbes. The company’s…
AE Industrial, Cybersecurity, Francisco Partners, Global IT News, Global Security News, Israel, NSO, NSO Group, paragon, Security, Spyware, surveillance
Israeli spyware maker Paragon bought by U.S. private equity giant
The company’s spyware, dubbed Graphite, is capable of hacking phones and stealing private communications. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amnesty International, Amnesty Tech, Cellebrite, Donald Trump, Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, Geopolitics, Global Security News, Norway, NoviSpy, NSO Group, pegasus, privacy, Serbia, Spyware, surveillance, Threats
Amnesty International exposes Serbian police’s use of spyware on journalists, activists
Serbian police and intelligence authorities have combined phone-cracking technology with spyware to eavesdrop on activists and journalists there, Amnesty International revealed in a report Monday, in what the human rights group says could be a disturbing preview of a future era of digital surveillance. Amnesty International’s 87-page document surveys the broader picture of digital spying…
Amnesty, Amnesty International, Cellebrite, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, hacking, infosec, malware, Security, Serbia, Spyware
Serbian police used Cellebrite to unlock, then plant spyware, on a journalist’s phone
Amnesty said it found NoviSpy, an Android spyware linked to Serbian intelligence, on the phones of several members of Serbian civil society following police stops. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.