Human Rights Defenders Targeted by Government Surveillance Spyware

Tech & Science cybercrime Hacking Surveillance Spy software with a documented history of being sold to governments was recently used to target a staff member of Amnesty International, the rights group said on Wednesday. The “Pegasus” tool—designed to infect phones on iOS and Android—was linked to an Israeli cyber warfare outfit called NSO Group. The spyware—which can snoop on keystrokes, audio and browser history with a single click—was sent via WhatsApp in June. The cyberattack came during a campaign demanding the release of six women’s rights activists detained in Saudi Arabia. Containing a booby-trapped link, the text attempted to lure the staffer with information about an alleged protest taking place in front of the Saudi embassy in Washington D.C. The message read: “I am on a scholarship here so please do not link me to this. Cover the protest now it will start in less than an hour. We need your support please.” The domain included was tied to an online infrastructure previously connected to NSO, Amnesty said in a new report. Recommended Slideshows 67 The Best Pictures Ever Taken in Space 47 Underwater Photographer of the Year 2018 winners: Stunning sharks, shipwrecks and seahorses 51 Volcanoes from Space: 50 Breathtaking Astronaut and Satellite Photos It… Read full this story

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