Points Highlighted:
-
Amnesty International found a number of iPhones belonging to some 50,000 journalists and human rights activists that had been infected with NSO Group’s Pegasus malware, which gives access to messages and emails, as well as the phone’s camera and microphone.
-
The spyware doesn’t require the victim to click on a provided link or program as other phishing or hacking software does, the attacker can simply send a message.
(Kevin Andrews File photo)
Israel-based NSO Group usually sells the malware to anti-terrorism law enforcement and vetted government associations, but software is often leaked.
Kevin Andrews, a technology teacher and experienced tech blogger on current digital trends, says the hack is concerning, but not surprising. He says it doesn’t matter what kind of device you have, as long as you’re connected to the internet, you’re vulnerable to an attack.
Andrews says while it’s tough to tell if your phone has been hacked, there are measures you can take to ensure your safety.
He says if your battery is draining quickly, that could be an indication that something is working in the background. Andrews recommends always updating your phone to the latest security update.
