Security researchers report that the LightSpy spyware, linked to a Chinese contractor, has expanded globally to over a dozen countries, now targeting NATO routers and various devices with new data-stealing and device-bricking capabilities.
Meta claims NSO Group violated a US court order by targeting WhatsApp users with spyware. The firm, previously barred from targeting WhatsApp, is accused of continuing its activities, prompting Meta to seek contempt charges.
Meta accuses NSO Group of violating a US court injunction by continuing to target WhatsApp users with Pegasus spyware, despite a 2021 ban and a $4 million damages award.
Russia's FSB has exposed a large-scale scheme by foreign intelligence services to install spyware on officials' phones, enabling wiretapping, audio/video control, and data collection. Affected officials were subsequently blacklisted and pressured by the US and EU.
Russia's FSB claims to have uncovered a large-scale foreign intelligence operation installing spyware on high-ranking officials' phones, citing it as a cheaper alternative to recruiting informants and a multi-layered scheme with far-reaching consequences.
Russia's FSB claims to have thwarted a major foreign intelligence operation involving spyware used to eavesdrop on high-ranking officials and collect sensitive data.
FSB agents have uncovered a scheme where foreign intelligence services used spyware to infiltrate the phones of high-ranking Russian officials. The malware provided access to communications, location, calls, and even video surveillance.
FSB agents have uncovered a scheme where foreign intelligence services used spyware to infiltrate the phones of high-ranking Russian officials. The malware granted access to communications, location, calls, and even video surveillance.
Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Meta are offering advanced security features to protect users, particularly journalists and activists, from sophisticated spyware attacks. These opt-in features, such as Apple's Lockdown Mode and Google's Advanced Protection Program, enhance device security by limiting certain functionalities, though they require user activation and can involve a trade-off in convenience.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE has no current contract with spyware maker Paragon Solutions, despite a previously reactivated deal. Questions remain about ICE's use of other commercial spyware tools.
The US is reversing its hardline stance on commercial spyware, with ICE acknowledging its use and the Trump administration lifting sanctions and reviving contracts. Critics fear this signals a broader acceptance of spyware, potentially impacting privacy and civil liberties.
Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, head of Amnesty International's Security Lab, was targeted by a phishing campaign impersonating Signal. He investigated, revealing a larger campaign likely run by Russian government spies, affecting over 13,500 targets.
Google has launched a new feature called Intrusion Logging to help security researchers investigate spyware attacks on Android devices
WhatsApp informierte den italienischen Journalisten Francesco Cancellato Ende Januar 2025, dass sein Telefon mit der Spionagesoftware „Graphite“ des israelischen Unternehmens Paragon Solutions gehackt wurde. Der Chefredakteur von Fanpage vermutet einen Zusammenhang mit einer investigativen Recherche über Faschismus-Sympathien in der Jugendorganisation von Giorgia Melonis Partei. Die italienische Staatsanwaltschaft bestätigte die Infektion. WhatsApp registrierte Angriffe auf Journalisten in 14 EU-Ländern. Italien fiel in der RSF-Pressefreiheitsrangliste auf Platz 56 zurück.
WhatsApp and Apple last year notified Italian journalists and activists they were targeted with Paragon Solutions' Graphite spyware. Around 90 people globally were affected. Italian prosecutors sent a formal request to Paragon via the Israeli government a year ago but received no response. Paragon cancelled its contract with Italy's spy agencies AISE and AISI, publicly claiming the Italian government refused its offer to investigate. Citizen Lab confirmed two journalists were hacked. The investigation remains ongoing.
From Black Cube stings to Pegasus spyware, there’s an Israeli threat to Europe that the EU refuses to even acknowledge Read Full Article at RT.com
Italian digital rights group Osservatorio Nessuno has published a report on Morpheus, a new spyware that masquerades as a phone updating app and steals data from targets' devices. The malware is linked to IPS, an Italian company operating for over 30 years providing lawful interception technology. The attack involved authorities coordinating with a telecom provider to block target's mobile data, then sending an SMS prompting them to install a fake update app. Once installed, it abused Android accessibility features and tricked targets into granting WhatsApp access via biometric prompts.
The U.K. National Cyber Security Centre will reveal Wednesday that more than half of the world's governments—approximately 100 countries—now have access to commercial spyware capable of breaking into computers and phones to steal sensitive information. This represents an increase from 80 countries estimated in 2023. The tools, developed by companies like NSO Group (Pegasus) and Paragon (Graphite), were originally marketed for targeting criminal and terror suspects but have been misused to target journalists, critics, and political adversaries. UK intelligence now says victimology has expanded to include bankers and wealthy businesspeople.
