According to a report, UK PM Boris Johnson's office was the target of suspected Pegasus spyware attacks in 2020 and 2021.

A report presented by Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said that suspected infections were linked to Johnson's No-10 office with Pegasus operators linked to UAE.

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We also confirm that in 2020 and 2021 we observed and notified the UK Gov 🇬🇧 of multiple suspected instances of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pegasus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pegasus</a> spyware infections within official UK networks, including <a href="https://twitter.com/10DowningStreet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@10DowningStreet</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/FCDOGovUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCDOGovUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/5ixResVBfd">https://t.co/5ixResVBfd</a> <a href="https://t.co/qNgWKofluJ">pic.twitter.com/qNgWKofluJ</a>
— profdeibert (@RonDeibert) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeibert/status/1516015696865542146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The research revealed the UK networks were the target of "multiple suspected instances of Pegasus spyware infections".

Watch:&nbsp;What is 'Saifan' spyware? A weakened version of Pegasus?

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The research group said it has notified the UK government. The Pegasus spyware&nbsp;reportedly targeted the UK Prime Minister's Office at 10 Downing Street and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which is now the Foreign Commonwealth and Development office(FCDO).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pegasus-spyware-hungarian-journalists-activists-to-sue-govt-over-snooping-allegations-448573">Also Read:&nbsp;Pegasus spyware: Hungarian journalists, activists to sue govt</a>

"The suspected infection at the UK Prime Minister's Office was associated with a Pegasus operator we link to the UAE," it said.

Last year Google had described how Israel's Pegasus software had hacked into iPhones. NSO's Pegasus software can reportedly target a person's phone even though a user hasn't clicked on a phishing link. Google called it "zero-click exploitation technology" meaning "no-user interaction" was detected during the hacking.

NSO reportedly can also generate "one-click exploit" when a user clicks on a link ensuring a malware attack.

The Citizen Lab claimed since the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its successor office FCDO have personnel in several countries the infections could have been "related to FCO devices located abroad and using foreign SIM cards, similar to the hacking of foreign phone numbers used by US State Department employees in Uganda in 2021."

The group asked the UK government to take "appropriate action" to "mitigate" the threat.

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to a report, UK PM Boris Johnson's office was the target of suspected Pegasus spyware attacks in 2020 and 2021. A report presented by Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said that suspected infections were linked to Johnson's No-10 office with Pegasus operators linked to UAE.

According to a report, UK PM Boris Johnson's office was the target of suspected Pegasus spyware attacks in 2020 and 2021. A report presented by Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said that suspected infections were linked to Johnson's No-10 office with Pegasus operators linked to UAE. We also confirm that in 2020 and 2021 we observed and notified the UK Gov 🇬🇧 of multiple suspected instances of #Pegasus spyware infections within official UK networks, including @10DowningStreet & @FCDOGovUK https://t.co/5ixResVBfd pic.twitter.com/qNgWKofluJ — profdeibert (@RonDeibert) April 18, 2022 × The research revealed the UK networks were the target of "multiple suspected instances of Pegasus spyware infections". Watch: What is 'Saifan' spyware? A weakened version of Pegasus? The research group said it has notified the UK government. The Pegasus spyware reportedly targeted the UK Prime Minister's Office at 10 Downing Street and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which is now the Foreign Commonwealth and Development office(FCDO). Also Read: Pegasus spyware: Hungarian journalists, activists to sue govt "The suspected infection at the UK Prime Minister's Office was associated with a Pegasus operator we link to the UAE," it said. Last year Google had described how Israel's Pegasus software had hacked into iPhones. NSO's Pegasus software can reportedly target a person's phone even though a user hasn't clicked on a phishing link. Google called it "zero-click exploitation technology" meaning "no-user interaction" was detected during the hacking. NSO reportedly can also generate "one-click exploit" when a user clicks on a link ensuring a malware attack. The Citizen Lab claimed since the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its successor office FCDO have personnel in several countries the infections could have been "related to FCO devices located abroad and using foreign SIM cards, similar to the hacking of foreign phone numbers used by US State Department employees in Uganda in 2021." The group asked the UK government to take "appropriate action" to "mitigate" the threat. (With inputs from Agencies)

PM Johnson's office hacked? Research group claims Pegasus spyware behind attack

A report published by security experts at Citizen Lab, a Canada-based cybersecurity watchdog, said it has detected "zero-day zero-click exploit against iMessage" which it calls "forcendentry" or "forced entry".&nbsp;

The mechanism targets "Apple’s image rendering library" and "was effective against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-takes-app-payment-hit-in-epic-court-fight-412259">Apple</a> iOS, MacOS and WatchOS devices", the watchdog said.

"Zero-click exploit" means spyware can be deployed without the person even clicking on a link or a file.

"We determined that the mercenary spyware company NSO Group used the vulnerability to remotely exploit and infect the latest Apple devices with the Pegasus spyware," it said. NSO is an&nbsp;Israeli software company.

The lab said "forcendentry" has been in use since February. It added that after discovering the vulnerability, the code was sent to Apple and the company has "assigned forcendentry vulnerability CVE-2021-30860".&nbsp;

Watch:

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-to-allow-developers-to-email-customers-about-payment-options-408878">Apple</a> has described it as “processing a maliciously crafted PDF may lead to arbitrary code execution”, the lab said in its report.

The lab discovered the issue while analysing a Saudi activist's phone which was reportedly infected with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nsos-notorious-pegasus-spyware-secretly-bought-by-police-in-germany-reports-411667">NSO</a> Group’s Pegasus spyware.

The researchers said unknown vulnerability affected all major Apple devices including Apple watches, Macs and iPhones. The NSO group in a statement said it will "continue to provide intelligence and law enforcement agencies around the world with life-saving technologies to fight terror and crime."

Meanwhile, Apple in a statement said it was correcting the error "rapidly".&nbsp;

"Attacks like the ones described are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life, and are used to target specific individuals," the company said.

(With inputs from Agencies)

A report published by security experts at Citizen Lab, a Canada-based cybersecurity watchdog, said it has detected "zero-day zero-click exploit against iMessage" which it calls "forcendentry" or "forced entry".

A report published by security experts at Citizen Lab, a Canada-based cybersecurity watchdog, said it has detected "zero-day zero-click exploit against iMessage" which it calls "forcendentry" or "forced entry". The mechanism targets "Apple’s image rendering library" and "was effective against Apple iOS, MacOS and WatchOS devices", the watchdog said. "Zero-click exploit" means spyware can be deployed without the person even clicking on a link or a file. "We determined that the mercenary spyware company NSO Group used the vulnerability to remotely exploit and infect the latest Apple devices with the Pegasus spyware," it said. NSO is an Israeli software company. The lab said "forcendentry" has been in use since February. It added that after discovering the vulnerability, the code was sent to Apple and the company has "assigned forcendentry vulnerability CVE-2021-30860". Watch: Apple has described it as “processing a maliciously crafted PDF may lead to arbitrary code execution”, the lab said in its report. The lab discovered the issue while analysing a Saudi activist's phone which was reportedly infected with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. The researchers said unknown vulnerability affected all major Apple devices including Apple watches, Macs and iPhones. The NSO group in a statement said it will "continue to provide intelligence and law enforcement agencies around the world with life-saving technologies to fight terror and crime." Meanwhile, Apple in a statement said it was correcting the error "rapidly". "Attacks like the ones described are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life, and are used to target specific individuals," the company said. (With inputs from Agencies)

Apple's iMessage targeted by Pegasus spyware from Israeli firm NSO, says cybersecurity watchdog

French President Emmanuel Macron's phone was targeted by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hungary-denies-using-pegasus-spyware-399109">Pegasus</a> spyware, the NGO that leaked the list of numbers claimed on Tuesday.

Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based media nonprofit allegedly had access to the leaked numbers. The NGO said members of Macron's cabinet were also targeted.

Reports said former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and 14 ministers were also under surveillance.

Watch:

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The Pegasus spyware&nbsp;is licensed by&nbsp;an Israeli company NSO. The organization had earlier issued a statement saying the reports were "full of wrong assumptions and uncorroborated theories".

Macron's office said: "If this fact is established, it's obviously very serious."

NSO had allegedly hacked smartphones of journalists, government officials and human rights activists worldwide with 50,000 phone numbers believed to be under surveillance.

Meanwhile, French prosecutors opened investigations into allegations that Moroccan intelligence services used Pegasus to spy on the country's journalists.

Investigative website Mediapart had filed a legal complaint on Monday over the spying claims. However, Morocco said it "never acquired computer software to infiltrate communication devices."

French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the government was "extremely attached to press freedom".

News website Aristegui Noticias had alleged that the Mexican president's wife and children were targets of the Israeli spyware including Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, cabinet ministers and other officials.

(With inputs from Agencies)

French President Emmanuel Macron's phone was targeted by Pegasus spyware, the NGO that leaked the list of numbers claimed on Tuesday. Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based media nonprofit allegedly had access to the leaked numbers.

French President Emmanuel Macron's phone was targeted by Pegasus spyware, the NGO that leaked the list of numbers claimed on Tuesday. Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based media nonprofit allegedly had access to the leaked numbers. The NGO said members of Macron's cabinet were also targeted. Reports said former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and 14 ministers were also under surveillance. Watch: The Pegasus spyware is licensed by an Israeli company NSO. The organization had earlier issued a statement saying the reports were "full of wrong assumptions and uncorroborated theories". Macron's office said: "If this fact is established, it's obviously very serious." NSO had allegedly hacked smartphones of journalists, government officials and human rights activists worldwide with 50,000 phone numbers believed to be under surveillance. Meanwhile, French prosecutors opened investigations into allegations that Moroccan intelligence services used Pegasus to spy on the country's journalists. Investigative website Mediapart had filed a legal complaint on Monday over the spying claims. However, Morocco said it "never acquired computer software to infiltrate communication devices." French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the government was "extremely attached to press freedom". News website Aristegui Noticias had alleged that the Mexican president's wife and children were targets of the Israeli spyware including Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, cabinet ministers and other officials. (With inputs from Agencies)

Pegasus spyware targeted French President Macron: Report

The Pegasus spyware is again at the centre of a major controversy. On Sunday, July 18, it was widely reported that documents acquired and evaluated by a international media collaboration showed a list of phone numbers that are claimed to have been potentially targeted for surveillance by an unidentified agency using the Pegasus spyware. It is reported that over 40 journalists in India were targeted alongside a few other public figures like politicians and activists. While this is a developing story, it is paramount to understand the software, its history and how it can hack into your smartphone to completely compromise your information.

Explainer: What is Pegasus spyware? How does it hack into your phone to spy on you?