Security News > 2020 > December > Sextortionist Campaign Targets iOS, Android Users with New Spyware

New spyware is targeting iOS and Android frequenters of adult mobile sites by posing as a secure messaging application in yet another twist on sextortionist scams.

The spyware, dubbed Goontact, targets users of escort-service sites and other sex-oriented services - particularly in Chinese-speaking countries, Korea and Japan, according to research published by Lookout Threat Intelligence on Wednesday.

The iOS attacks have less capability to steal data, lifting only the victim's phone number and contact list, researchers said.

The campaign itself bears resemblance to one reported by researchers in 2015, and Lookout researchers suspect it's been around and operated by a crime affiliate rather than nation-state actors since 2013.

Lookout researchers have contacted Google and Apple about Goontact as well as informed Threat Advisory Services customers with additional intelligence on the spyware and other threats.

News URL

https://threatpost.com/sextortionist-campaign-targets-ios-android-users-with-new-spyware/162321/