Gérard S.’s Post

As a cybersecurity expert, this blog post highlights an ongoing cybersecurity concern in Jordan where civil society actors have been targeted by Pegasus spyware, believed to be deployed by Jordanian government. This advanced spyware, developed by Israeli tech firm NSO Group, enables hackers to remotely gain control over devices, turning them into surveillance tools. Amnesty International's Security Lab and Citizen Lab discovered the illicit activities, which saw at least seven human rights workers becoming victims in 2019 and 2020. Such attacks continue to pose serious threats to privacy, freedom of expression and digital rights, raising essential need for strict cybersecurity measures globally. #CyberSecurity #PegasusSpyware #DigitalRights

Report: Civil society in Jordan under assault by NSO’s Pegasus spyware. Why it matters: 1. The evident infection of around 36 journalists, lawyers, and human rights advocates' phones in Jordan highlights the escalating issue of tech-related surveillance, where governments use tools like Pegasus spyware to access personal data. 2. Usage of the 'zero-click' exploit, allowing for undetected sneaking into a device, indicates the alarming sophistication of surveillance technologies, increasing threat levels and reinforcing fears around personal data privacy. 3. The allegations of Pegasus usage in Jordan place pressure on governments to improve digital right safeguards. This incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive regulation on the export and usage of digital surveillance tools globally. Learn more by visiting The Record from Recorded Future News: https://lnkd.in/eaq8tzAN

Government and military officials fair targets of Pegasus spyware, NSO Group argues. Why it matters: 1. The Pegasus manufacturer, NSO Group, sparked controversy with an open admission in court filings of its stance that any high-ranking government or military official can be validly targeted with its surveillance technology. This sheds light on NSO Group's view on its spyware margins, even as it's entangled in a lawsuit brought by WhatsApp for alleged techno-intrusion. 2. The lawsuit, which involved infecting around 1,400 WhatsApp users' devices, uncovers the vast reach of Pegasus and its clientele that includes repressive regions like Hungary, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Pegasus has allegedly aided in tracking oppositionists and journalists, adding to the public unrest over commercial spyware's wide exploitation. 3. NSO Group's attempt to legitimize its surveillance over opposition politicians via Pegasus underscores the company's controversial stances, intensifying debates over digital security and the misuse of technology for political purposes. Learn more by visiting The Record from Recorded Future News: https://lnkd.in/ewuFKRJd

Pegasus can steal: “That includes all text and voice communications to and from the phone, location data, photos and videos, notes, browsing history, even turning on the camera and the microphone of the device while the user has no idea it’s happening..." A dangerous spyware used by Isrel, sold to governments...can be used upon anyone. A great negotiating tool for the Isrel government too. This one is worth a read. #gaza #palestine #spyware #ceasefire #humanrightsabuses https://lnkd.in/en3Z8dYw

“Exiled, then spied on: civil society in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland targeted with Pegasus spyware.” In our new report in collaboration with Citizen Lab and independent security expert Nikolai Kvantiliani, we uncovered at least seven people in civil society targeted by NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware within the EU. Read more to get further insights on these chilling human rights violations and digital security tips. https://lnkd.in/gYJ5s69E

These recent findings about the misuse of Pegasus spyware are concerning. They highlight the urgent need for stronger measures to protect digital rights and privacy. It’s crucial that we work globally to prevent the unchecked spread of such invasive cyberweapons and safeguard human rights for everyone. https://lnkd.in/eZ8W7jcX #cybersecurity #cyberwar #spyware #infosec

Greek prosecutor says government played no role in civil society spyware infections. Key takeaways: 1. This revelation intensifies concerns about the uncontrolled spread of predatory spyware and the lack of accountability for its misuse. Despite the Greek court finding no involvement of state entities in the deployment of such software, opposition politicians and independent investigations highlight links to the prime minister's office. 2. The EU Parliament's demand for Greece to strengthen its legal and institutional safeguards against spyware misuse underlines the broader implications of the incident. It's not solely about domestic affairs but the export of powerful spyware to countries with poor human rights records, stressing the need for robust international frameworks to control such activities. 3. The sanction by the US Treasury Department against those connected to the Intellexa Commercial Spyware Consortium makes clear spyware's transnational reach and threat. The software was used to target Americans, emphasizing the need for a global response to this cyber security threat. Learn more by visiting The Record from Recorded Future News: https://lnkd.in/deJ2hnzp

LinkedIn asked me what would I like to talk about... I'd like to ask how many of you think this can't happen to them because they have an iPhone or a "state-of-the-art" antivirus on their Android phone? It is ALL ABOUT THE OS! Also, I'd like to know how many of you hold key positions at organizations handling sensitive data, sometimes data of national security importance level. say no more, sure, it won't happen to you... but if you want to know how this works and why this happened, message me ;) #kaymera #encryptedphone #pegasus #androidsecurity #eavesdropping #cybersecurity

🚨 Shocking Revelation: '#PredatorFiles' Exposes Alarming #Spyware Threat.  A recent investigation by Amnesty International has uncovered a disturbing reality – a brazen targeting of civil society, politicians, and officials across the European Union (EU), USA, and Asia. This #espionage scandal involves the use of '#Predator,' a highly invasive spyware, granting it unrestricted access to a device's microphone, camera, and all data, including contacts, messages, photos, and videos. All of this transpires unbeknownst to the user. What's even more concerning is that this spyware remains immune to independent audits and limitations on its functionalities. It operates without restraint, posing a grave #threat to all of us. 🌐 Let's be clear: the victims here are not just government institutions or journalists, it's all of us as individuals. Our #security and #privacy are under attack. Protect your data now with the most secure #mobiledevice available, the #SoteraSecurePhone. #SpywareScandal #DataPrivacy #CyberSecurity http://rb.gy/mqxue

“The U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two individuals and five entities associated with the Intellexa Alliance for their role in "developing, operating, and distributing" commercial spyware designed to target government officials, journalists, and policy experts in the country.    The Intellexa Alliance is a consortium of several companies, including Cytrox, linked to a mercenary spyware solution called Predator. In July 2023, the U.S. government added Cytrox and Intellexa, as well as their corporate holdings in Hungary, Greece, and Ireland, to the Entity List.     Predator, much like NSO Group's Pegasus, can infiltrate Android and iOS devices using zero-click attacks that require no user interaction. Once installed, the spyware makes it possible for the operators to harvest sensitive data and surveil targets of interest.“    The U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on two individuals and five entities associated with the Intellexa Alliance. Following the revelations about its multi-tiered delivery infrastructure, the operators of Predator have decided to shut down their servers.    Read more to find out about the spyware that targets officials as well as journalists and share your thoughts with us! https://lnkd.in/gzZtKffp     #cybertronium #cybertroniummalaysia #privacy #spyware