A major investigation conducted by news organisations has found that governments around the world may have been spied on by a malicious software called Pegasus.
The software was developed by an Israeli company, NSO Group, and sold to government clients, but the spyware that came with it may have targeted journalists, politicians, government officials and human rights activists.
It infected phones when a link in a specially crafted SMS was clicked. This downloaded spyware and rooted or jailbroke the device to install the software. These override the security on the phone, so that remote access is granted, making private information viewable even if you don’t have the device in your hand.
This means somebody else has access to all sorts of information, such as emails, messages, photos, locations, contacts and browsing history.
What is spyware?
For the most part, spyware is something that is downloaded without consent, and it doesn’t make itself explicitly known like ransomware and other malicious software sometimes do.
“Spyware differs from other applications because it is generally installed without the knowledge of the device owner, it tracks and reports owner usage, locations and activities without the knowledge of the owner, and it usually operates in the background and surreptitiously without its processes or activities being visible to the owner of the compromised device,” says Dennis ‘Darknet’ Desmond, a lecturer in cybersecurity at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
“Unlike most apps, the installer is usually not the owner of the device, and the installation of the app often occurs remotely through a hostile email, text or web link, remote connection, or through direct handling of the device.”
What is the point of spyware?
The whole point of this type of software is in its name – it’s used to spy on people. This can be for malevolent or security purposes, depending on who uses it and how it is used.
“Spyware is designed to track the location, communications, activities and capture content from a compromised device,” says Desmond.
“Traditionally, spyware has been used both by stalkers – disaffected or abusive spouses and partners – and by nation-state agencies and entities desiring to track persons of interest.”
Spyware is also used for purposes of safety and national security because theoretically the information can sometimes be used not to exploit, but to keep people safe.
“Compromising a device for the collection of communications and even interactions with others is extremely valuable to a nation-state intending to track and collect intelligence – criminal or national security – against …….
Source: https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/staying-safe-from-spyware/