Israeli NSO group hacks Whatsapp, injects malicious surveillance software

dr.gautam

[br] [br][br]For representational purpose.[br]Facebook-owned messaging software, Whatsapp has been hacked by the secretive Israeli company NSO group.[br][br]A vulnerability in the app has allowed attackers to inject commercial Israeli spyware on both iPhone and Android.[br][br]According to a report by Financial Times, the attackers use the app's voice calling feature to ring a target's device. Even if the call is not received the software installs itself and even deletes the call from the log.[br][br]The attack was recognised in early May.[br][br]Speaking to the BBC, Whatsapp told that the information has been shared with the human rights group, security vendors and the US Department of Justice earlier this month.[br][br]Who is the NSO Group?[br][br]NSO group is an Israeli technology firm founded in 2010.[br][br]Their flagship product Pegasus can read the user's emails, messages, gallery and can turn on camera and microphone without the person's knowledge. They advertise their products to the Middle East and Western intelligence citing terrorism as an excuse.[br][br]ALSO READ | WhatsApp to deny private chat screenshots soon: Report[br][br]The company has however refused their involvement and said, “under no circumstances would NSO be involved in the operating or identifying of targets of its technology, which is solely operated by intelligence and law enforcement agencies”.[br][br]How will Whatsapp tackle the hack?[br][br][br]According to media reports, Whatsapp engineers have worked round the clock in Fransisco and London to close the vulnerability. It has been rolling out a server fix since last Friday.[br][br]On Tuesday, NSO will also face a legal challenge to its ability to export its software, which is regulated by the Israeli ministry of defence.[br][br]Who was targetted?[br][br]According to Facebook's latest figures, WhatsApp has around 1.5 billion users worldwide.[br][br]The human rights group, Amnesty International spoke of how they had been attacked previously by the NSO group.[br][br]According to an Amnesty International employee, there is mounting evidence that the hack was directed towards Human Rights groups, journalists and lawyers[br][br] [br][br][br][br][br][br][br][br].source :   en.newindianexpress.com[br]

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