Security News > 2020 > January > NY Times Reporter Targeted by Spyware: Report

A New York Times reporter apparently was targeted with spyware developed by the NSO Group as part of a campaign that may be linked to a Saudi Arabia group, which has previously been accused of hacking attempts against dissidents, journalists and human rights lawyers, according to the think tank Citizen Lab.

The spyware used against the Times reporter likely was Israel-based NSO Group's Pegasus, which has been used by governments around the world to target journalists, activists and protestors, according to the new Citizen Lab report.

He eventually handed over his smartphone and the contents of the text message to researchers at Citizen Lab, who concluded that the journalist was likely targeted with Pegasus spyware, the report finds.

The analysts also found command-and-control servers used in previous campaigns that have links to both Pegasus spyware and the Kingdom operators, the report adds.

Altogether, there are about 36 distinct Pegasus operators, including the Kingdom group, using the spyware at any given time around the world, the report adds.

News URL

https://www.inforisktoday.com/ny-times-reporter-targeted-by-spyware-report-a-13662