Italian spyware maker SIO, known to sell its products to government customers, is behind a series of malicious Android apps that masquerade as WhatsApp and other popular apps but steal private data from a target’s device, TechCrunch has exclusively learned.
Late last year, a security researcher shared three Android apps with TechCrunch, claiming they were likely government spyware used in Italy against unknown victims. TechCrunch asked Google and mobile security firm Lookout to analyze the apps, and both confirmed that the apps were spyware.
Read more…
Source: TechCrunch News
Related:
- US schools gave kids laptops during the pandemic. Then they spied on them
October 11, 2021
When the pandemic started last year, countless forms of inequality were exposed – including the millions of American families who don’t have access to laptops or broadband internet. After some delays, schools across the country jumped into action and distributed technology to allow students to learn remotely. The catch? They ended up spying on students. ...
- Fake Amnesty International Pegasus scanner used to infect Windows
September 30, 2021
Threat actors are trying to capitalize on the recent revelations on Pegasus spyware from Amnesty International to drop a less-known remote access tool called Sarwent. The malware looks and acts the part of a legitimate antivirus solution specially created to scan the system for traces of Pegasus traces and to remove them. Sarwent-based attacks have been running ...
- Analyzing The ForcedEntry Zero-Click iPhone Exploit Used By Pegasus
September 15, 2021
Citizen Lab has released a report detailing sophisticated iPhone exploits being used against nine Bahraini activists. The activists were reportedly hacked with the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware using two zero-click iMessage exploits: Kismet, which was identified in 2020; and ForcedEntry, a new vulnerability that was identified in 2021. Zero-click attacks are labeled as sophisticated threats ...
- Apple rushes to block ‘zero-click’ iPhone spyware
September 14, 2021
Apple has issued a software patch to block so-called “zero-click” spyware that could infect iPhones and iPads. Independent researchers identified the flaw, which lets hackers access devices through the iMessage service even if users do not click on a link or file. The problem affects all of the technology giant’s operating systems, the researchers said. Read more… Source: BBC ...
- United Nations calls for moratorium on sale of surveillance tech like NSO Group’s Pegasus
August 13, 2021
The United Nations has called for a moratorium on the sale of “life threatening” surveillance technology and singled out the NSO Group and Israel for criticism. The catalyst for that UN’s action is the recent allegation that NSO Group’s wares have been widely used beyond their intended purpose of national security, and instead put to work ...
- Israeli Government Agencies Visit NSO Group Offices
July 29, 2021
Authorities from multiple agencies of the Israeli government paid a visit the offices of the NSO Group as part of a new investigation into claims that the secretive firm is selling its spyware to threat actors for targeted attacks, according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. A single tweet from the ministry announced the raid on ...