The apparent weaknesses in iOS – the software that runs on the iPhone – were reported after a failed attempt to hack the phone of an activist in the region via a text message containing a malicious link.
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The espionage software was discovered because it had been targeted at Ahmed Mansoor, a prominent United Arab Emirates dissident. The release comes out of nowhere and has been rolled out to fix some important security vulnerabilities. The spyware was disguised as a seemingly innocent link sent through text messages, but Mansoor suspected the address was shady, so he alerted authorities.
If you are anxious that you could be affected by this vulnerability, the best thing to do is download the latest version of iOS to protect yourself against potential security exploits. The vulnerability in iOS came into the limelight when investigators found out about the NSO group, who were selling invisible tracking software. Rather than clicking on the malicious link, Mansoor forwarded the email to the citizens lab to look in to thr matter.
The Pegasus spyware can access mobile devices’ messages, calls, emails, Global Positioning System location, logs, calendar data, contact lists, passwords and other information from apps including Gmail, Facebook, Skype and FaceTime.
Alternatively, you can install the update manually by connecting your iPhone to your computer and opening iTunes.
“The company sells only to authorized governmental agencies, and fully complies with strict export control laws and regulations”, NSO spokesman Zamir Dahbash said in a statement.
A senior researcher at internet watchdog group Citizen Lab, Bill Marczak, says it’s the first time they’ve seen such a hack used in the public realm.
“The agreements signed with the company’s customers require that the company’s products only be used in a lawful manner”, he added.
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He said that while the exploit was now targeting high profile targets such as Mansoor, the exploit could eventually be used to target wider audiences.
